Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur: Match preview, likely line-ups and score prediction

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In a game that neither side can afford to lose, Tottenham will travel to the Etihad full of confidence on Saturday evening, whilst the home team are likely to have their tail between their legs after a heavy defeat last weekend. Spurs won the tie at White Hart Lane earlier in the season, convincingly too, but City have lost at home just once this season.

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Manchester City went into the reverse fixture unbeaten, but they now come into this tie off the back of Pep Guardiola’s heaviest ever league defeat as a manager. That 4-0 defeat against Everton came not long after defeat to Liverpool, having beaten Burnley in between. City have struggled with their real tests so far this campaign, losing to the two aforementioned sides and Chelsea of late, and will want to turn things around with a vital three points on Saturday evening.

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Eight goals without reply in their last three games is an impressive stat, but it’s even more impressive when you bare in mind that it took their run of wins to six consecutive Premier League games and have conceded only two goals in that run, with an average of 3.8 goals per game scored. That run included putting an end to Chelsea’s winning streak but that was their only victory against another top six side since their victory at White Hart Lane against City.

Predicted Line-Ups

Manchester City predicted starting XI                  Tottenham Hotspur predicted starting XI

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Pep Guardiola must be aching to make changes to his defence after their woeful display against Everton, but other than Aleksandar Kolarov replacing Gael Clichy, he has few options to choose from. That is likely to be the only change for the home side despite such a poor display last week.

The only change for Mauricio Pochettino is an enforced one, with Jan Vertonghen’s injury likely to see him make way for Ben Davies as Pochettino sticks with their latest system. He could opt to go for a flat back four instead, but it seems unlikely given their form in recent weeks since the change.

Suspensions and Injuries

Fernandinho will continue to serve his suspension for a red card against Burnley for Manchester City, with Fernando also a doubt with a knock. Ilkay Gundogan is the only long term injury concern and will miss the rest of the season.

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Jan Vertonghen is the big miss for Tottenham after he picked up an ankle injury in last weeks win over West Brom. That is expected to keep him out until March. Erik Lamela is nearing a return from a hip injury but this game will come too soon for him.

Our Prediction

If ever there has been a game which could go either way, it’s this one. Spurs don’t concede many whilst City do, but on their day the Citizens have the most dangerous attack in the league. A high scoring draw seems likely, but if City aren’t on the ball then Spurs will quickly take advantage, our prediction is a 2-2 draw.