Can the resurgent Lilywhites do the unthinkable on Saturday night?
(L-R) Pep Guardiola, David Silva, Heung-Min Son and Mauricio Pochettino (Photos-AFP, Graphic-www.thestatesman.com)
Runaway leaders Manchester City host Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday at the Etihad what is the Sky Blues’ last major clash before the half-way mark of the Premier League and the visitors will be hopeful of bringing the hosts’ unbeaten streak to a screeching halt.
Last season the Lilywhites did the same and they will be backing themselves to do an encore, but Pep Guardiola’s side have learnt their lessons as they have transformed into a side that have threatened to make the Premier League a boring affair with their domination.
Spurs will take solace from the fact that three of City’s first-choice defenders are missing in action due to injury, but Mauricio Pochettino’s men have problems of their own at the back with two key players missing (Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez) and they have suffered of late as a result.
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City are very much the favourites to edge this clash, but the Premier League has a way of throwing up a surprise and the tie at the Etihad is sure to be a goal-fest, if nothing else.
Elaquim Mangala and Nicolas Otamendi are Pep’s only fit centre-backs at the moment and former is a weak link which Spurs will look to exploit.
Mangala’s defensive partner, Otamendi, has been in sensational form this season, scoring five goals in the Premier League alone and he will be a constance menace against a shaky Spurs backline, especially on set-pieces.
After Gabriel Jesus started the Manchester Derby, the Brazilian was rested for the mid-week tie against Swansea, which would suggest Pep is ready to restore the 20-year-old at the expense of Sergio Aguero.
Considering Aguero’s record against Spurs, perhaps that’s not the best move but Jesus’ constant pressing when his team doesn’t have the ball fits perfectly into Pep’s masterplan.
City’s midfield is the main reason they are breaking all manners of records, with Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva and Fernandinho going from strength to strength and the hosts will have to be wary of complacency for a side like Spurs cannot be taken lightly.
The tie at the Etihad will be a special one for Kyle Walker, for the pacy fullback who has been in top form of late, is up against his former club for the first time since his £50 million move.
If the Citizens can sort out their issues at the back (They have kept just one clean-sheet in their last five games), this tie is as good as theirs for with the offensive firepower at their disposal, they are likely to score at least once.
Injury concerns: Benjamin Mendy (knee), John Stones (hamstring) and Vincent Kompany (muscular problems).
Suspension Alert: None
Bereft of his best defender (Toby Alderwiereld) and the upcoming hotshot (Davinson Sanchez), Mauricio Pochettino has overseen a troubling period in which the Lilywhites have struggled to run a tight ship at the back.
Fresh off three wins in a row, Spurs will look to do the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea a favour by forcing City to drop points for the first time in four months.
Buoyed by the form of Heung-Min Son and the return of Erik Lamela, the Lilywhites have a fighting chance but to beat a special side such as Pep Guardiola’s City requires all their parts to be running in unison.
Much has been made of the indifferent form of star duo Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli and the spotlight will be on them on to churn out a performance worthy of their reputation.
The redoubtable Harry Kane continues to score goals on a regular basis and he will be confident of breaching City, but Spurs’ own defence will have to be protected by the likes of Mousa Dembele and Harry Winks.
Considering City’s in-form midfielders and wingers, Spurs will be in for a tough time but if there’s anyone who can beat the Sky Blues, it’s them.
Injury concerns: Victor Wanyama (knee) and Toby Alderweireld (hamstring).
Suspension Alert: Davinson Sanchez
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