Tottenham Hotspur will be facing a jittery and uncertain Manchester City side on Saturday as they look to close the gap on Chelsea and put pressure on the leaders who will face Hull City. Maybe not a potential banana slip even but the thought of a team so close to them after such a long time will certainly be at the back of their heads if Spurs manage to get the 3 points from the Etihad.
Spurs are coming on the back of a thumping 4-0 win over a West Bromwich Albion who had been impressive so far this season. They had even managed to draw against Tottenham earlier in the season. Spurs have really been on the top of their game lately and will surprisingly favourites when they face Manchester City. The likes of Dele Alli and Harry Kane have been on fire with Eriksen providing the perfect support. Rose and Walker have been by far the best fullbacks in the division and City don’t stand a chance if the defence is compared man to man.
On top of that, the Sky Blues have been so, so unsure of themselves and especially against their rivals, the signs haven’t been good. Pep Guardiola will need a perfect display from his boys to have any chance of avoiding the double at the hands of Spurs for a second successive season.
PREDICTED TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR XI (3-5-2-1)
DEFENCE
Hugo Lloris will be in goal and after been at the receiving end of a number of Manchester City goal fest would be relishing this newly established superiority. He has to be on his toes however with the likes of Aguero, De Bruyne and Silva in the opposition ranks. Eric Dier is likely to be on the right side of the central defence with Alderweireld at the centre and Ben Davies deputising for the injured Jan Vertonghen.
MIDFIELD
Danny Rose has been a revelation and has continued his new found confidence and form into this season and will be in the left wingback role. Kyle Walker will be on the opposite side and City will have a task on their hands in trying to deal with the overlapping runs of these two. The consistently impressive duo of Wanyama and Dembele will be in central midfield.
ATTACK
Eriksen has been the chief supplier in recent weeks and he will be difficult to handle by the City defence. Their issues will be compounded by the presence and form of Alli and Kane, who will form the attacking trio alongside Eriksen.
