Manchester City will look to keep their hopes of winning the coveted quadruple alive as they take on Tottenham Hotspur in the second leg matchup in the Champions League quarterfinal stage. Spurs got the better of City by a single goal in the first leg, and the Citizens will look to overturn the deficit and win the second leg to advance to the next round.
Tottenham Hotspur, on the other hand, will look to capitalise on the one goal advantage Son Heung-Min handed them in the first leg of the matchup. Though “parking the bus” has never been the style of play for Mauricio Pochettino, it is to be seen what tactics Spurs adapt to nullify the attacking threat posed by Pep Guardiola’s mighty men in blue.
Team News
Manchester City
The Citizens have a few injury worries to be concerned with, though both Fernandinho and Oleksandr Zinchenko would be assessed ahead of the match. Guardiola has enough quality players at his disposal for the next game and is expected to go in with full strength against Spurs.
Tottenham Hotspur
The biggest concern that Pochettino has ahead of this crucial clash is the absence of talismanic striker Harry Kane, who picked up an ankle injury in the first leg of the matchup. Apart from him, the likes of Serge Aurier, Eric Dier and Erik Lamela are also expected to miss the match due to respective injury worries. Dele Alli and Fernando Llorente would be assessed ahead of the matchup.
Predicted Lineups
Manchester City
Ederson, Walker, Otamendi, Laporte, Delph, Gundogan, De Bruyne, David Silva, Mahrez, Sterling, Aguero.
Tottenham Hotspur
Lloris, Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose, Wanyama, Sissoko, Winks, Eriksen, Son, Moura.
Key Men
Manchester City
The Citizens have a squad full of match-winners who can step up on the big occasion and win it for their side. However, Raheem Sterling has been in sublime form of late and would be the prime threat for the opposition while leading the line. Sergio Aguero, who had his spot kick saved by Hugo Lloris in the first leg, would look to make amends for his mistake.
Tottenham Hotspur
With no Harry Kane, Lucas Moura is expected to lead the line for Spurs in the next match. The Brazilian would look to carry his form from the last game as he looks to fill Kane’s void in attack. The only goalscorer from the previous leg, Son Heung-Min, would be another key figure for Spurs in their bid to go past their mighty opponents. Skipper Hugo Lloris would have to play an essential role in goal, as he did in the previous leg to keep a clean sheet.
Odds
Manchester City Win: 1.30
Draw: 6.00
Tottenham Hotspur Win: 11.00
