Two teams heading in different directions collide at the Etihad Stadium this Sunday as spluttering Manchester City host a reviving Tottenham Hotspur on a blockbuster evening.
Just hours after Arsenal play table-toppers Leicester City at home, Premier League pits the league’s third versus the second with the sides grappling to keep their title ambitions burning bright. The Citizens have ingloriously fallen off their perch after a promising start, whilst contrastingly, the Lillywhites are hitting the stride after a relatively sloppy start to the campaign.
The Skyblues were blown away 4-1 by Spurs in the side’s previous meeting in the league, and will aim at retribution when Mauricio Pochettino’s troops make their way down the blue half of Manchester. But considering the dismal form that City are in, can Manuel Pellegrini subside his last meeting with Tottenham with a win? Or will we see the North Londoners do the double and consolidate their position as genuine title contenders?
Kickoff and Telecast
Date and Time: Sunday, 14 February 2016 – 09:45 PM (IST)
Live Telecast: Star Sports 4, 4HD
Venue: The Etihad, Manchester
Team News
Hosts Manchester City are plagued with a raft of injuries as Wilfried Bony. Eliaquim Mangala, Bacary Sagna, Kevin De Bruyne, Jesus Navas, Fabian Delph and Samir Nasri are all out of contention due to injuries, whereas Tottenham have to deal with the injuries of Jane Vertonghen and Njie.
Possible Line-ups
Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Otamendi, Kolarov; Fernandinho, Fernando; Sterling, Toure, Silva; Aguero
Tottenham Hotspur (4-5-1): Lloris; Trippier, Wimmer, Alderweireld, Davies; Dembele, Dier; Alli, Eriksen, Lamela; Kane
Team form
Manchester City enter the tie on the back of a demoralizing 3-1 defeat at the hands of Leicester City at home. The loss severely dented their title ambitions as the Citizens now trail the Foxes by 4 points in fourth. So a victory against Spurs is vital if City are to get their faltering season back on track.
The task however, seems much easier said than done as the hosts are plagued with a host of injuries and their confidence is at an all-time nadir.
Last 5 matches: D-W-W-W-L (Last result: Manchester City 1-3 Leicester City)
Tottenham Hotspur come to Etihad as a surprise challenger for the league crown. A strong run in the league has propelled the North London outfit to second in the table, and a win at Manchester will provide further impetus to their unlikely title tilt.
Last 5 matches: W-W-W-W-W (Last result: Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Watford)
Key stats
- In the last 9 Premier League meeting between the sides, a total of 41 goals has been produced.
- Manchester City have lost just 2 of their last 10 fixtures to Spurs in the league.
- Manchester City have won each of their last 5 clashes against Spurs at the Etihad.
- Tottenham Hotspur have lost only 1 away match all season – a 1-0 defeat to Manchester United on opening day.
- Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero has scored 10 goals in the last 8 games against The Lillywhites.
Key battles
Sergio Aguero vs Toby Alderweireld
Machester City will once again bet their bottom dollar on the talismanic striker Sergio Aguero, who is in red-hot form this season. The Argentine has scored 14 goals despite an injury plagued season and has been firing on all cylinders ever since his return from the layoff.
Clinical finisher in the final third with a keen eye for goal, Aguero possesses the pace to outrun his markers and get into dangerous areas. The burly striker will be stemming the biggest threat coming from the home side and his opposite number in this match, Toby Alderweireld.
The Spurs defender will be entrusted with the job of impeding the rampaging Aguero and how much successful he is in shutting him up will go a long way in deciding the tie.
Prediction
Manchester City are walking wounded and the game stands a golden chance for Tottenham to inflict another damage on City’s already beleaguered title challenge. The Spurs have often left Etihad with tails between their legs, but this time, it may be just the other way round.
Predicted score: Manchester City 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur
Betting Odds (bet365)
Manchester City – 6/5
Draw – 13/5
Tottenham Hotspur – 25/9
