Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur preview
After ten games in the 2022-23 Premier League season, it seemed as if Tottenham Hotspur could do no wrong. The team had won eight and drawn two to go atop the table, with Ange Postecoglou’s tactics working to perfection. Three straight defeats since then, however, have dampened the spirits, with Tottenham now in fifth position. And it is under such circumstances that they will travel to face defending champions Manchester City.
Over the summer, Pep Guardiola made significant changes to the squad, selling Riyad Mahrez, Ilkay Gundogan, Aymeric Laporte, and Cole Palmer and loaning out Joao Cancelo. In their place have come Josko Gvardiol, Matheus Nunes, Jeremy Doku, and Mateo Kovacic. The players have taken some time to adjust but are now performing at their best, with City just one point off league leaders Arsenal.
Tottenham started their season under a new manager after selling their best player, Harry Kane, for a record fee. However, it improved them with Son Heung Min and James Maddison forming a threatening duo who combined for 17 goals this season. In the last three games, though, Son has gone scoreless while Maddison has missed two after sustaining an ankle injury. This has affected the quality of Tottenham’s attacking play.
City like Totteham also started the season strongly with six successive wins. This was followed by two defeats against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal. Since then, they have been on a five-game unbeaten streak. The two last games, though, have been draws against Chelsea and Liverpool. However, even in these games, City had the upper hand for the majority of the game, which is what Tottenham will be wary of.
Tottenham have the advantage of not having to play in Europe, which still gives them a large chance to come back into the top-four race or even get a shot at the title. And Liverpool have shown in the last game that with a bit of luck and some smart play teams can come away with something from the Etihad.
Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur Lineups
Manchester City lineup:
Manchester City have been without their best player, Kevin de Bruyne, for most of this season. And it is unlikely that the midfielder will return before the new year. Joining him on the treatment table are summer signings Matheus Nunes and Mateo Kovacic. However, such is City’s squad depth that they have not let their absence affect their form to a large extent.
Ederson will keep his place in goals behind the defensive triumvirate of Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, and Kyle Walker. Rodi and Manuel Akanji will form a double pivot with Bernardo Silva, Julian Alvarez, Phil Foden, and Jeremy Doku ahead of them. Erling Haaland will play as the sole striker.
Manchester City Predicted Lineup: Ederson; Gvardiol, Dias, Walker; Akanji, Rodri; Doku, Foden, Alvarez, Silva; Haaland
Tottenham Hotspur lineup:
A significant reason for Tottenham’s drop in form has been a long list of injuries. The team are currently without the services of Ivan Perisic, Micky van de Ven, James Maddison, Ryan Sessegnon, Manor Solomon, and Richarlison. Several of these players are not expected to be back before the new year.
This means that Postecoglou has had to alter the tactics to accommodate the new players. With the unavailability of so many players, Tottenham will need to field a defence-heavy side to negate the attacking threat that CIty possesses.
Tottenham Hotspur Predicted Lineup: Vicario; Udogie, Davies, Emerson, Porro; Lo Celso, Højbjerg; Gil, Kulusevski, Johnson; Son
Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur predictions
Manchester City are a team that on their day possesses the quality to destroy any team on their day. However, the team has lost two games in the league, showing that they are not as strong as the previous seasons, and a team like Tottenham does possess the attacking quality to trouble the champions.
However, apart from the playing 11 City also have a considerable advantage over Tottenham in terms of squad depth. Even if Tottenahm does manage to contaIN City for the first 60-70 minutes the substitutes will make a considerable difference with players getting tired.
FootTheBall predicts Manchester City to win the game 4-1.
