Tottenham Hotspur will be facing a stern test of keeping the Manchester City attack at bay as the two sides meet tonight for their second leg UEFA Champions League clash at the Etihad Stadium.
The visitors are coming into the game carrying a slender 1-0 advantage but have to be on top of their game if they are to dump City out of the prestigious UCL.
Harry Kane might miss the rest of the season due to an ankle injury. The England international joins Eric Dier, Harry Winks and Serge Aurier in Tottenham’s list of absentees while Dele Alli, Eric Lamela and Fernando Llorente are all doubtful for the game.
Defence
Kieran Trippier will be the first choice right wing-back for Mauricio Pochettino, especially with Aurier ruled out with an injury. The England international, however, will be expecting a busy evening against the marauding Benjamin Mendy.
Danny Rose will be deployed on the opposite flank, ahead of Ben Davies, who was a starter in Saturday’s 4-0 win over Huddersfield Town.
Toby Alderweireld was given a rest this past weekend but the Belgian will play a key role in the centre of the defence, alongside Davinson Sanchez and Jan Vertonghen. All of these three defenders are likely to operate in a deep-block formation as they aim to maintain their slender one-goal advantage.
Hugo Lloris will be the man between the sticks for Tottenham and the Frenchman will hope to put in a similar performance as last week where his penalty save was a turning point.
Midfield
Harry Winks is expected to recover in time to start alongside Moussa Sissoko at the base of Tottenham’s 3-4-2-1. The young midfielder was excellent in the first leg and his ability to stay composed under pressure will be paramount this midweek.
Sissoko, on the other hand, will be crucial in disrupting City’s flow in midfield. The Frenchman is known for his excellent work ethic, which could be useful in dealing with the technically astute midfielders that Manchester City have in long supply.
Attack
We expect Pochettino to deploy Heung-Min Son in the false nine role this week. The South Korean international scored the only goal in the first leg, which could still prove to be crucial should Tottenham maintain their shape in this riveting encounter.
Son will be partnered by Lucas Moura and Christian Eriksen, although it will be interesting to see who is selected in the event Dele is passed fit to start.
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