Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City: Who wants seventh place more?
With West Ham at Everton and Fulham facing a tough trip to Newcastle, either Tottenham Hotspur or Manchester City could move into seventh - and that final Europa League slot - with a win today.
Tottenham has recovered hugely under Harry Redknapp and privately, Redknapp will no doubt be mulling the pros and cons of competing in the Europa League. It will make recruiting players easier - but will it endanger the targeted push for fourth? Spurs was on 2 points from 8 games when Redknapp arrived and the 46 points from the subsequent 28 games is equivalent to 62 points over a season. Given that Arsenal is currently on 68 points in fourth Redknapp doesn't need to improve his side by very much to push hard for 70+ points and fourth. Do Spurs need the distraction of Europe just yet?
Mark Hughes has gone on record as suggesting that he has done as good a job as Harry Redknapp this season a message underlined by anyone who witnessed his anaemic outfit in the Manchester derby last week. City do look better, generally, than a couple of months ago and with the budget available will probably make a better fist of the Europa League than just about any other English team - but a team that does not travel well really has to win this game to stand any chance of qualifying.
BETTING
All odds courtesy of Bet365, which is currently offering £200 in free bets for new clients.
Match Odds
Spurs is odds on to win at 5/6, the draw is 5/2 with City the 7/2 outsider.
Correct Score
6/1 Tottenham 1-0
7/1 Tottenham 2-0
7/1 Tottenham 2-1
10/1 Draw 0-0
6/1 Draw 1-1
9/1 Man City 1-0
22/1 Man City 2-0
14/1 Man City 2-1
Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City; Kick Off 3:00pm 16 May 2009
Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).
Tony Bellew : 3 - 1
Dave Blackburn : 2 - 0
Sue Gardener : 2 - 1
Chris Goodwin : TBC - TBC
Paul Grech (sqf) : 1 - 1
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 1 - 2
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : 3 - 1
Peter Lee : 2 - 0
Don McMahon : 1 - 3
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 1 - 1
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 2 - 1
Tony Ratton : 2 - 1
Peter Rendle : 0 - 1
Dan Taylor : 1 - 3
Bill Urban (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Andy Wakeman : 3 - 0
Isaac Williams : TBC - TBC
Mark Williams : TBC - TBC
Panel Verdict
The panel is split, but narrowly favouring a Spurs win.
Home: 8; Draw: 2; Away: 4; TBC: 4.
* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!
