Tottenham look to bounce back against champions City

Tottenham look to bounce back against champions City

by Tom Hardy

After their Champions League fate was all but sealed thanks to a midweek draw with PSV Eindhoven, Tottenham now face the daunting task of facing Premier League champions Manchester City at Wembley on Monday evening.

The champions have started this campaign much the same as they ended the last as they sit atop the table and unbeaten after nine matches. Tottenham have achieved their record Premier League start and come into the fixture knowing that a win would see them leapfrog the Citizens in the table.

The top six clash could represent one of Spurs’ most important games of the season as with Champions League qualification now looking unlikely, a top four finish in the Premier League is vital to ensure they arrive into the first full season at their new stadium in Europe’s elite competition.

It is yet to be seen whether the pitch will play a part in the outcome of the tie with this game kicking off just over 24 hours after NFL sides Jacksonville Jaguars and Philadelphia Eagles face off on the Wembley pitch, a factor which could stop City playing their usual free-flowing football. This fixture also represents the start of a hectic week for the Lilywhites who play three games in less a week starting with the title favourites.

Two of the Premier League’s 100 club square off on Monday evening with Sergio Aguero and Harry Kane both looking to build on their six and five goals respectively this term. \

City do boast the Premier League’s top provider with Frenchman Benjamin Mendy assisting five goals so far this season, whilst the team themselves blow the competition away in terms of goals scored with 26 already in just the nine games played.

The head to head record could provide Spurs fans with a glimmer of hope as the north London side have recorded 23 victories in the 42 Premier League clashes between the sides to Man City’s 13. However, both meetings between the two sides last season ended in comfortable victories for Pep Guardiola’s side running out 3-1 and 4-1 winners.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side will be without Jan Vertonghen who remains sidelined with a hamstring problem whilst Danny Rose (groin) and Dele Alli (hamstring) are both unlikely to feature.

Manchester City welcomed back Kevin De Bruyne in their midweek win against Shakhtar Donetsk but will be without long-term absentee Claudio Bravo who has an achilles problem and will likely be joined by Fabian Delph (knee), Ilkay Gundgan (hamstring) and Danilo (ankle) on the sidelines.

Prediction: Tottenham will be eager to bounce back from midweek disappointment in front of their home fans but the champions may just be too strong for them on the day.

Prediction: Tottenham 1 Manchester City 3