Dan Fitch / 16 December 2009 Free Bet View Market

Recommended Bets: Back over 2.5 goals @ 1.76; Back the draw @ 3.38; Back Defoe @ 6.5 to score first

This game should by all rights be a clash
of the titans. With both sides boasting a squad full of international stars, these are the clubs that are capable of breaking up the long-standing monopoly that the 'Big Four' have held over the Premier League.

I say 'should' because it's not actually the case. Instead, both sides limp into this fixture rather feebly, having suffered from a bout of patchy form, just at the moment when they should be taking advantage of Liverpool's malaise.

Since thrashing Wigan 9-1, Tottenham have ensured that their optimistic fans have been swiftly brought back down to earth with a bash, by drawing at Villa and Everton, before losing at home to Wolves at the weekend.

Meanwhile, City have won just once from their last 9 Premier League outings and have somehow managed to draw the other 8 games, often against less than intimidating opposition.

So it's fair to say that both teams are due a win, which makes this rather an intriguing contest.

Do Spurs have the character to bounce back, having suffered escalating disappointments in the last 3 games? They seem to lack on-field leadership, which isn't helped when you have to substitute your captain (Robbie Keane) every week, because his form is so dismal.

Over at Manchester City, they have only lost once all season, but can't expect to achieve their goals if they draw so many games. Their inability to convert draws into wins, has been in part down to a leaky defence in which the full backs look weak and Toure and Lescott have not properly gelled.

With the attacking riches available to him, I would have also expected Mark Hughes to be more adventurous at times, especially against lesser opposition. If he doesn't shake off the defensive, small club mentality from his Blackburn days, then he is in danger of following Rafa Benitez's path of not fulfilling potential due to a lack of adventure. The only difference is that Hughes will get the sack quicker.

City will be without the suspended Craig Bellamy, while De Jong and Wright-Phillips are both doubts, and Bridge is out. For Spurs, Modric should start, but King is unlikely to return and Woodgate is unavailable.

The statistics point to a Spurs win. Tottenham have beaten City 17 times in the Premier League age, making the Eastland outfit statistically their favourite opposition.

Bizarrely, the last 5 fixtures at White Hart Lane between the sides have all finished 2-1 to Spurs. This surely means that such a scoreline is unlikely to occur again, but I do fancy over 2.5 goals at [1.76], with under 2.5 available at [2.28].

When the first goalscorer markets open on Betfair, expect Defoe to be [6.5] to score first and [2.6] to score anytime, with Crouch (who I expect to start over Keane) at [8.0] and [3.0]. Adebayor is also at [8.0] and [3.0], while the in-form Carlos Tevez should start at [9.0] and [3.5].

Given the form of both teams, this is a tough one to call. Tottenham are [2.29], with the draw at [3.38] and Manchester City at [3.23]. Though the thought of City drawing again seems improbable, I'd say it's the value bet and think that you'll be able to lay it off at least, during a high scoring game.

The 2-2 draw is [14.8], with another 2-1 Tottenham win at [9.5]. You can back both teams to score at [1.57], which seems rather stingy but will probably pay out.