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Manchester City host Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Saturday as we will once again get to witness Pep Guardiola’s rivalry with Jose Mourinho.
The two teams have had a contrasting week as City eased past Swansea City in the FA Cup, while Tottenham were dumped out of the Cup by Everton.
The last time these two teams faced off, Mourinho’s side put in an impressive display to beat City 2-0. The victory was a false dawn of a title challenge as they have fallen off the pace since, while Manchester City have been brilliant after a slow start.
Nevertheless, Spurs will hope their players step up come Saturday. With that said, let’s take a look at five players to watch when Manchester City take on Tottenham:
#1 Harry Kane
This Tottenham team look like a completely different unit when Harry Kane plays, in a good sense. The forward’s influence in the final third can’t be overstated, as he scores goals and has an understanding with his teammates like no other player.
Kane picked up an ankle injury a few weeks ago during the game against Liverpool, and that had many fans worried. However, he didn’t take long to return and get back on the scoresheet, doing what he does best.
Although his goal against Everton in the FA Cup wasn’t enough to help them progress, his personal form will be a big factor for Tottenham who so often rely on his strikes.
#2 Ilkay Gundogan
Five goals in six games in January earned Ilkay Gundogan the Premier League player of the month award. So good has his form been in front of goal and in midfield that many have forgotten Kevin De Bruyne!
Gundogan’s role is perhaps something that Mourinho dislikes, as he doesn’t have a fixed position. The German likes to make late runs into the box from midfield, and is often in the right position at the right time to score.
Mourinho has often used a marker for these kinds of roles, so it remains to be seen how the Portuguese decides to deal with Gundogan's threat come Saturday. Whatever happens, expect the midfielder to be at the heart of Manchester City's game once again.
#3 Son Heung-Min
The South Korean is a world class player and his chemistry with Harry Kane will be crucial for Tottenham on Saturday.
It’s likely that Spurs will play on the break against Guardiola’s side, and Son could be the player to test the City defense.
Kane’s ability to drop deep and string play has been an important facet of Mourinho’s setup this season, and the likes of Son, Eric Lamela and Lucas Moura will need to make the right runs.
And then, of course, there is the small matter of Son’s quality on the ball. The Asian is silky smooth with his touches, and is often deadly in front of goal. A definite player to watch out for.
#4 Phil Foden
Phil Foden is playing the best football of his career right now, and the ease with which he breached the Liverpool defense was a sight to behold. Granted, Liverpool were far from full strength, but Foden’s movement and end product was impeccable.
The attacker has taken the mantle from David Silva this season and Guardiola will need him to be at his best against Spurs.
Foden’s ability to take on players, along with his pace and passing, has been a key aspect this season. He isn’t just a one-trick pony like a lot of young players, and it puts him on a different pedestal right now.
Spurs won’t make it easy with a low-block, but City are used to a lot of teams falling back and making things narrow. Foden and co. will know what’s coming, whether they can react accordingly and find a way is the question.
#5 Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg
The Dane has been Mourinho’s trusted midfield general, stopping teams from building attacks and starting his own side’s counter-attacks.
Hojbjerg did not have the best of games against Everton in the FA Cup as his side were too open and he committed a foul to give away a penalty.
Hojbjerg, however, is a mature player and has shown in the past how to come back from a bad defeat, most notably at Southampton.
A player who knows Guardiola well from their time together at Bayern, his ability to protect the back four and read the game will be crucial come Saturday.
