MAN CITY v Spurs: The PREVIEW – City’s Probable Team
21 Jan
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Not many games carry the excitement and tension that this fixture does. In the past couple of seasons, the result has seen both clubs secure Champions League places and this time around, the importance has increased. With the Blues top of the Premier League table and the visitors not far behind, the build-up to this match has been electric and there is a real feeling that this is an absolutely key match. A City victory would stretch our lead over Spurs to eight points but a victory for the away team and the title race would be very much split three ways.
Both sides have played some exquisite football so far during the campaign and it promises to be a rather enjoyable fixture for the neutrals. However, for those with more than a passing interest, it is likely to be 90 minutes of nerves and anxiety. Spurs have an impressive recent record against City, having won eleven of the past fifteen league meetings between the two, but the Blues have been impenetrable in the Premier League at home this season, winning all ten matches and scoring 31 goals in the process.
Focusing on team selection, and apart from the obvious absences of Vincent Kompany and the Touré brothers, Roberto Mancini has a fully-fit squad to choose from. Micah Richards is likely to return after missing the Wigan victory with injury, whilst Stefan Savic will face his toughest test so far in central defence. Nigel De Jong is pushing for a place as his defensive mindset could be key against Spurs’s notoriously attacking midfield, but Gareth Barry and James Milner are expected to be named in the central roles.
Further forward, Mario Balotelli is fit again but could find himself on the bench with Edin Dzeko expected to lead the line. His confidence should be high following his winning header against Wigan and he has fond memories of facing Spurs having notched four goals against them in August.
Here is the side Mancini could select:
The visitors are without the ineligible Emmanuel Adebayor so Jermain Defoe should come into the side. Ledley King is a major doubt having missed the past few games with injury but they possess a potent and creative midfield, with pacy support provided by Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon. The duo of Rafa Van Der Vaart and Luka Modric have been impressive recently and will look to create plenty of chances for Defoe, but with only Scott Parker likely to sit further back, there may well be space for City to attack.
Referee: Howard Webb – Regarded as the best referee in the Premier League, if not the world. Has officiated in two other City games this season (against Everton and Norwich), both of which were victories.
Prediction: MAN CITY 2 – 2 Spurs – I’m sure this will be a hugely entertaining and open affair, full of chances and some superb, attacking football. Goals to be scored by Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko, Jermain Defoe and Gareth Bale.
I hope DJ gets the nod although I suspect that the gaffer will opt for Barry and Milner. We should have few fears of our opponents as, man for man, we are a far better unit. Nonetheless their threat comes from the pace that they break from midfield with Deffo and Moderate. I think that DJ is far better equipped to do the coverage and would keep Barry in reserve for the final 20 mins when we need to hold onto the 2-0 lead.
Man for Man are you kidding Lennon v Milner or Johnson no contest lennon proved it in the san siro. Bale far better than Milner you have four better players at present Augero Silver Nasri and Heart. the rest are beaten by Spurs and Huddlestone fully fit would match Yaya for passing shooting and Tackling two very well matched teams with Spurs beating you for speed.
Bless you Davspurs, your other 7 players are better than ours, made me chuckle that…
I may have to concede your point Spurs chap. I’d forgotten that they had introduced a 125cc version of Ledley’s mobility scooter.
Cheek…All Spurs fan know that Ledley has only got one knee, but he’ll still have Balotelli in his pocket.
I was a little concerned about the result tomorrow. But just for that quip I’m going to say we’ll give you a jolly old thrashing. 3.1 to Spurs. COYS.
Spurs will suffer without Adebayor but Defoe will rise to the occasion , so spurs will look stronger but they will either lose or draw
As a City fan, as much as I like us to beat Spurs tomorrow but I do not see Spurs as a rival much like the traditional top 4. By no means, I mean they are not on par with a top side, on the contrary; they are. It is about time to have a change in top 4 monopoly traditionally held by Liverpool, Arsenal, United and Chelsea. And regardless of the result tomorrow, I do hope City and Spurs remain top 4 for many years to come.
cant see it being a high-scoring affair; both attacks lacking fluency at the minute as well as depth. things may change but i can see this being a tense 1-0 either way.