Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham Hotspur started the new season with a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa on the opening weekend. But the London club needed a late brace from star striker Harry Kane, to steal all three points from that game. It was not an easy game to start the new campaign with for Spurs, but it only gets tougher this weekend, as they travel to Etihad, the home of the Premier League champions.
Pep Guardiola’s men put five past West Ham on Saturday and will want to make sure that they do not drop any points early in the season. Spurs have lost each of their last four league games against City and have won just one of their last nine games at Etihad. However, this early in the season, Pochettino will believe that his side has what it takes to steal something from this game.
Early Team News
Spurs are still without playmaker Dele Alli, who is suffering from a hamstring injury. Ben Davies, Juan Foyth and Ryan Sessegnon are all nursing their injuries and are likely to miss this game along with Heung Min-Son, who continues to serve his suspension.
PREDICTED TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR LINEUP vs MANCHESTER CITY (4-3-2-1)
Defence
Hugo Lloris is the undisputed no.1 for Pochettino. The French international had a decent outing against Villa but could be put under pressure by an in-form Manchester City side. He will start behind a centre back pairing of Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez. The duo will be up against the likes of Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus and will have to be on their toes till the final whistle.
So should Spurs’ young full-back Kyle Walker-Peters. Pochettino has Serge Aurier, with very little pre-season, as the only option other option for the right-back role. So Walker-Peters will be up against Raheem Sterling, in what could be a match-deciding battle on the right side. Danny Rose will look to add some stability to the backline at left-back.
Midfield
New signing Tanguy Ndombele announced himself to the Premier League in fine fashion against Aston Villa. He bagged a stunning equaliser in that game and will be high on confidence. But he will face a completely different test when he starts against one of the best teams in European football this weekend.
He will start in a slightly advanced role, with Harry Winks acting as the deepest of the midfielders. The young midfielder needs to keep the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva quiet and if he has a bad game, Spurs’ backline could be exposed throughout the 90 minutes.
Moussa Sissoko has cemented his place in the first team under Pochettino and should start alongside Ndombele, adding balance and grit to Spurs’ midfield.
Attack
Harry Kane is already off the mark with a brace and will certainly be the danger man for City. Aymeric Laporte will relish this challenge but he will also be up against the pace and trickery of Lucas Moura, who can be equally dangerous.
The Brazilian is expected to play off of Kane, trying to pull defenders away from their natural positions. The duo, however, will need Christian Eriksen to provide some creativity to their midfield. Eriksen’s supply to his attackers will be crucial for Spurs to get anything from this game.
Here is how they might line up:
