After their Champions League exertions, Manchester City will return to the Premier League title defence this Saturday as they welcome struggling Tottenham Hotspur to the Etihad Stadium.
Venue: Etihad Stadium
Key Statistics
Manchester City have won 14 of their last 15 league games (D1).
They have won their last ten home games in all competitions.
The ‘Cityzens’ have scored 2+ goals in eight of their last ten home games.
Tottenham Hotspur have failed to win ten of the last 11 away H2Hs (W1, D2, L8).
The visitors have lost their last three PL games.
They failed to score in two of their last three PL games.
Head to head
Both teams have met 49 times in the Premier League era, with Spurs having the superior. The visitors have 26 wins and 69 goals while City have 16 wins and 68 goals.
Latest performances in all competitions
Manchester City: W-W-W-W-D
Tottenham: L-L-W-L-W
Manchester City
After their recording-breaking win over Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League on Tuesday, Manchester City will look to continue their impressive run in the Premier League when they host Spurs on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola‘s side scored five unreplied goals against Sporting Lisbon and in so doing became the fastest side in history to net 200+ goals in the Champions League (97 games).
Under manager Pep Guardiola, the Sky Blues of Manchester are redefining the game and are dominating England. The Spaniard is hoping to become the first manager since Alex Ferguson to successfully defend a PL crown on two separate and will hope his team can keep their lead at the top of the table intact by winning this game.
His side are unbeaten in their last 15 PL games and will be desperate to avenge their 1-0 loss to Spurs in the first game of the season. They are currently nine points ahead of Liverpool but could see that lead reduced to three within the coming weeks if they lose this game, given that Jurgen Klopp’s men have a game in hand.
So a win is a must for City if they want to stay far ahead of the chasing pack.
Possible Man City starting line-up
Ederson Moraes, Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling.
Injured: Gabriel Jesus, Jack Grealish, Cole Palmer, Zackary Steffen
Doubtful: None
Suspended: Benjamin Mendy
Tottenham Hotspur
After going eight league games unbeaten under Antonio Conte, Tottenham have flattered in recent weeks.
The visitors travel to Manchester on the back of a three-game losing run in the league. Losses to Chelsea, Southampton and most recently Wolves has seen their top-four bid disappear within a week.
Just two weeks back they had broken into fourth place and were looking like the favourites to seal the spot, given their outstanding games advantage. But they come into this tie sitting in eighth place, seven points behind fourth-placed Manchester United who gave played three games more.
With three games in hand over some of the sides above, Spurs still have the advantage in the top four race. However, they could see that advantage completely wiped out if they lose this game.
Possible Tottenham starting line-up
Hugo Lloris; Cristian Romero, Joe Rodon, Ben Davies; Emerson Royal , Harry Winks, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Sergio Reguilon; Lucas Moura, Harry Kane, Heung-Min Son.
Injured: Oliver Skipp
Doubtful: Japeth Tanganga
Suspended: None
Prediction
Man City 3-1 Tottenham