Will Defoe start? Predicted Man City – Spurs line-up and stats preview
Manchester City vs Tottenham
Date: Sunday 24th November
KO: 13:30
Tottenham will attempt to become the first Premier League side to take something away from the Etihad this season when they take on City in Sunday’s early kick-off. A fixture that once filled City fans with dread thanks to Spurs’ impressive record is becoming a less-daunting after some wins in recent seasons. Of the last five matches league matches between the two at the Etihad, City have won three, and Spurs have won two.
Last season, City fell behind to a Steven Caulker goal early on before going on to win the match 2-1, with Edin Dzeko scoring an 88th minute winner.
Tottenham are yet to really establish their best side after another transfer splurge in the summer, but they find themselves in seventh, one place and one point above City, whose poor away form has blighted their season.
Team News
Manchester City
David Silva and Vincent Kompany, two of City’s most important players, are still out injured. Silva has a calf injury and will be out for at least another two weeks, and Kompany is still recovering from the thigh injury he suffered against Everton in early October. Stevan Jovetic also remains unavailable due to a calf problem.
Tottenham
Christian Eriksen is out for Spurs. He has sprained ankle ligaments and will miss the next three weeks. Vlad Chiriches is a slight doubt after breaking his nose in the match with Newcastle but could still play. Danny Rose is still struggling with a toe injury.
Possible Line-Ups
Manchester City
4-2-2-2: Pantilimon, Zabaleta, Demichelis, Nastasic, Clichy, Toure, Fernandinho, Navas, Nasri, Negredo, Aguero.
Man City Possible Line-Up vs Spurs
Tottenham
4-2-3-1: Lloris, Walker, Dawson, Chiriches, Vertonghen, Paulinho, Sandro, Townsend, Holtby, Sigurdsson, Soldado
Spurs Possible Line-Up vs Man City
Recent Form
City go into the match in slightly better form having taken nine points from their last six league games. Spurs have taken eight.
Man City’s last match was probably their worst performance of the season. The 1-0 defeat at Sunderland, which saw Pellegrini pick the wrong side, was desperately disappointing for the Blues and prevented them from moving up to third place in the table. However, their home form is immaculate, with five wins from five so far.
Tottenham’s last match was a 1-0 home defeat against Newcastle United which saw them have 14 shots on target and fail to score. Tim Krul had one of his best ever performances in the Newcastle goal, frustrating Spurs time and again. It was a game Tottenham can file as “unfortunate”.
Players to Watch
Manchester City – Sergio Aguero
Sergio Aguero has 13 goals in 14 games in all competitions this season and is certainly City’s dangerman. His partnership with Alvaro Negredo has been superb. Aguero is now one of the finest forwards in world football and, at just 25, his best years are ahead of him.
In the absence of Vincent Kompany, Matija Nastasic becomes ever-more important. The 20-year-old Serbian defender looks a real prospect and after missing the last game with a knock he will be keen to reassert himself.
Tottenham - Sandro
Sandro is arguably the best defensive-midfielder in the Premier League. His ability to dominate games and get his team on the front foot is matched only by City’s Yaya Toure. Having suffered a bad knee injury which wiped him out for the majority of last season, he’s been wrapped in cotton wool by Andre Villas-Boas this season, but he’s been warming up nicely and will almost certainly be a key player on Sunday. His form before the injury saw him establish himself as one of the best players in the league.
Hugo Lloris is Spurs’ other main man. The best ‘keeper in the league and a sweeper of the highest order, he will be vital to their chances on Sunday. With City struggling in the goalkeeper department, there will be a few envious glances towards Spurs’ Frenchman on Sunday.