In 2010, Tottenham Hotspur beat Manchester City 1-0 at Eastlands to secure a spot in the Champions League for the first time since its rebranding in 1992. That was a dark day in Manchester, but City fans can take solace in the varying levels of success for the two clubs since. With two Premier League titles, one FA Cup and one League Cup, City have kicked on and cemented their place as a Premier League powerhouse. Conversely, Spurs’ dusty trophy cabinet and continuous absence from the Top 4 tells a much different story. That said, they were terribly unlucky in 2012.
Bar a blip against West Ham, City have started the season in superb fashion. With 15 points from a possible 18, conceding just twice; Manuel Pellgrini’s outfit look the real deal. As for Spurs, they seem to have turned a corner in the league in recent weeks with back to back victories against Sunderland and Crystal Palace. Mauricio Pochettino will hoping that his side can continue their resurgence against the table toppers.
The pair clash live on BT Sport at 12:45pm this Saturday.
Statistics
This would probably be a suitable time for any Spurs fans to stop reading and stick the kettle on. The stats from recent years make grim reading. Since that day in 2010, the London side have won 4 points from a possible 30. In those games, Manchester City have scored 28 times. It has been a period of absolute dominance from the boys in blue. Although it is a futile and facetious argument, perhaps Arab money is to thank for this success. Between 2004 and 2010, before Sheikh Mansour’s cash had been put to good use, Tottenham won 12 out of 13 games.
That said, history counts for little in the Premier League. Just ask Liverpool fans.
Team News
Currently, only Newcastle United have more injuries than Manchester City. Fabian Delph, Pablo Zabaleta and Gael Clichy are long-term absentees, but the key trio of Vincent Kompany, Eliaquim Mangala and David Silva are once again available for selection this Saturday lunchtime. Sergio Aguero got 74 minutes under his belt in midweek and should feature. The news will be welcomed by City fans; the Argentinian has scored nine times against Saturday’s opponents.
Son Heung-Min, left out of the starting XI for the North London derby, could return for Spurs this weekend. He scored the only goal of the game as his side edged past Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane last Sunday. Nabil Bentaleb is the only notable wounded for Tottenham.
Key Men
Eric Dier – The title of ‘utility man’ is one usually forced upon the worst player in a Sunday League side. He’s not technically gifted, he can’t make one position his own, but he’s a laugh and has a car to give lifts. Enter Eric Dier. In fairness, I’m probably being a tad harsh on the youngster. After a £4m move from Sporting Lisbon in 2014, the England U21 International had a mixed season. He failed to make a lasting impact anywhere on the pitch, forced to slot in as cover whenever necessary. Playing at right-back, left-back, centre-back and central midfield in one season, he was Tottenham’s equivalent of the Swiss Army Knife. This season has been a different story, with Dier one of Spurs’ standouts so far. With Benjamin Stambouli and Etienne Capoue shipped out, coupled with Nabil Bentaleb’s waning form, Tottenham have called on Dier to play the holding midfield role. For the first time, he looks settled. He has provided much needed steel in the middle of the park, consistently winning his 1v1 duels. His 80% tackle success rate is up there with the best in the division. Tottenham have a young side. When you come up against the big boys of the league like Manchester City you need old heads on inexperienced shoulders. Dier’s composure and aggression will be crucial if his side are to get a result this weekend.
Kevin De Bruyne – Signed for £55m from Wolfsburg in August, De Bruyne has made an instant impact in a Manchester City shirt. You’d expect it for that kind of cash, it’s a far cry from the £6.7m Chelsea paid for him back in 2012. It’s still not clear what went wrong for the Belgian at Stamford Bridge, but he’s had no trouble since. His record at Wolfsburg is nothing short of phenomenal; 20 goals, 35 assists and 254 chances created in only 73 games. Only one player created more chances in the top five European leagues last season. West Ham fans will be thrilled to hear that it was Dimitri Payet. With Yaya Toure, Raheem Sterling and David Silva heading the list of midfield stars at the Etihad this season, it was unclear as to where De Bruyne would operate, or whether he’d get much game time at all. After fleeting appearances from the bench against Crystal Palace and Juventus, he finally got his chance at home to West Ham. Despite defeat, the record signing’s pedigree was clear. His goal that day, followed by another at the Stadium of Light in midweek, showed just what he can do. He has integrated quickly into a world class City side and seems to have formed a connection with fellow new boy Raheem Sterling already. I expect the pair to be their usual commanding selves going forward at White Hart Lane.
Prediction
Tottenham will be hurting having been dumped out of the League Cup by Arsenal on Wednesday. With Harry Kane still struggling for goals, facing Manchester City isn’t the ideal fixture for an immediate riposte. City were not shaken by the defeat to West Ham and easily put Sunderland to the sword in midweek. I can’t see them losing this weekend.
Spurs 0-2 Manchester City
If you agree, you can get odds of 19/20 for an away win with PaddyPower
The draw is 13/5 with Betway
Alternatively, Tottenham are 16/5 to make it three wins in three league games with William Hill!
