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Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, who are in an absolute different league this season, play 4th placed Spurs at the Etihad Stadium this Saturday as the hosts look to continue their unbeaten run in the top flight English league this season, while Tottenham look to close the gap up top.
The Sky Blues have looked too hot to handle this season, losing just a single game in the whole season yet and are strong favorites going into this one. They are fresh from last week's derby win and the midweek win against Swansea and would look to win this one, taking their winning streak to a record 16 games.
Tottenham have been inconsistent right from the start, though they look to have picked up form as they go into this one winning three games on the trought. It isn't at all going to be easy for Spurs to take points from this clash as City have looked rampant all season and it would require some serious tactics and plans from Pochettino to get the better of City. Although, Manchester City have been phenomenal this season, they certainly have some weaknesses as well and Pochettino will have to make good use of them. City has faced problems when the opposition has counter attacked quickly and have been caught on the break. The league leaders have also struggled while defending the set pieces and corners, specially in the latest games and have had aerial weaknesses. Spurs should keep these factors in mind and should try to take advantage of Manchester City's weaknesses as Guardiola's side problems have been exploited on various occasions.
Team News
The league leaders would be without Benjamin Mendy and Stones,who are out with hamstring and knee injuries respectively. A start for their captain Kompany looks doubtful, having missed City's trip to Swansea midweek .
Mauricio Pochettino will have to travel without Davinson Sanchez, who is serving the third and final game of a three-match ban and Victor Wanyama and Toby Alderweield, who are long term absentees and will remain sidelined until the new year.
Impact of a win for both sides
A win for the home side would keep them at top as they will continue to run away with the Premier League title. City are already 11 points ahead of second placed Manchester United and would be hoping to maintain the margin.
If Tottenham win, they'll move to 34 points, but their position in the league standings won't change as they'll still remain behind the Manchester based sides and Chelsea. Beating Manchester City has seemed to be impossible this season and anything other than a defeat, would be kind of a bonus for Spurs.
