Tottenham Hotspur face a blockbuster Premier League test as they welcome Manchester City to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Victory will move Tottenham top of the league until at least Sunday evening whilst Man City could climb as high as sixth depending on results elsewhere and a win.
Team News
Matt Doherty is ruled out for Tottenham after testing positive for Coronavirus whilst on international duty for Republic of Ireland.
Japhet Tanganga (thigh), Erik Lamela, Tanguy Ndombele (both foot) and Steven Bergwijn (unspecified) however are all expected to be fit enough for selection.
Man City expect to have Raheem Sterling available after the winger withdrew from the England squad with a calf injury last weekend.
Sergio Aguero (knee), Fernandinho (leg) and Benjamin Mendy (unspecified) are also expected to feature in this match, whilst Nathan Ake is a major doubt after suffering a hamstring injury whilst on international duty for the Netherlands.
Stat Attack
- Tottenham have taken just four points from their last six Premier League meetings against Manchester City (W1, D1, L4).
- Man City have lost three of their last five trips to Spurs (W2, L3).
- No Premier League player has produced more shots in the opening eight matches than Spurs’ Harry Kane, with the Englishman producing 38 shots in eight appearances.
- No Belgian Premier League player has produced more crosses this season so far than City’s Kevin De Bruyne with 36 crosses in six appearances.
- Both teams have had four players each red carded in 46 previous Premier League meetings.
Prediction
Jose Mourinho might be disappointed with the performance of his Spurs team at West Brom just before the international break but given how difficult the Baggies proved in breaking down, I think that experience might stand them in good stead against a tough Man City side which showed stubborn defending against Liverpool last time out.
Tactics could therefore be key here because both teams do possess the quality to win this clash but Tottenham are currently in stronger form and have proven tricky customers for City at home in recent meetings in North London, although I have a feeling that we might very well see a closely fought score draw here.
Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Manchester City
Result: Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Manchester City