The Big Preview: Manchester City vs Spurs

Article by Johnny Murwill

Facing a Man City side unbeaten at home this season would always present a formidable task for Spurs, but coming off the back of a disappointing and perplexing home loss to Newcastle, this fixture has taken on even more significance for Andre Villas Boas. Mutterings of discontent amongst some fans over the style of play this season will have only festered during the two-week international break. Others point out that Spurs are only 5 points of Arsenal and first place, but a series of fixtures which include games against Man United and Liverpool will fully test this new-look Spurs side.

And yet, while the reaction of some fans and sections of the media hint at certain amount of pressure building on AVB, perhaps Man City away offers up the perfect opportunity for Spurs to rebut their critics. While City hold a phenomenal home record, Spurs have the best defensive record away from home in the league, and a win on Sunday would recreate the same kind of feel-good factor experienced in last season’s historic win at Old Trafford.

Possible Line-Ups

Christian Eriksen’s untimely, if not serious, injury means he will join Danny Rose in missing the game. With Younes Kaboul’s fitness seemingly back, he could return to partner Dawson at the back, with Vertonghen likely to fill in for Rose once more. Sandro’s recent performances have cemented his place at the heart of the midfield, where Paulinho and Holtby should join him.

The most intriguing decision AVB has to make is whether or not to include Eric Lamela in the starting 11 – the feeling is that AVB is still not ready to give Lamela his first Premier League start, given his absence from the team that started against Newcastle. For City, Kompany and David Silva are expected to miss the game, providing an added bonus for AVB’s team.

 

Lloris

 

Walker Dawson Kaboul Vertonghen

 

Paulinho Sandro

 

Townsend Holtby Sigurdsson

 

Soldado

Key Battles

Kaboul v Aguero

Should Kaboul be ready to start, it will be up to him to contain the trickery and pace of City’s Argentinian striker, who has begun the season on fire. Aguero’s skill and movement is enough to give any defender nightmares, and with Dawson’s lack of pace and mobility, how Kaboul handle’s Aguero will be crucial.

Soldado v Demichelis

Under increasing pressure and scrutiny, Soldado will hope that the service provided to him is of a higher quality and frequency than in previous games. Against Demichelis he comes up against a seasoned veteran, although City undoubtedly lack the leadership and strength of Vincent Kompany at the back. Soldado will the goals will start flowing from Sunday.

Kick-off Sunday, 24th November 1:30 (Live on Sky Sports 1)

Last Season: Man City 2 – 1 Tottenham Hotspur

Referee: Martin Atkinson

Odds: H 4/6 D 14/5 A 4/1

Premier League Form Guide

Man City: L W W L W W

Tottenham Hotspur: L D W W L D

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