Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur – English Premier League – Preview

Posted on February 14, 2016 by Sreya

Manchester City will host Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad on Sunday, 14th February in a bid to consolidate their position in the top four of the English Premier League standings. Manchester City lost to the league leaders Leicester City at home last weekend, thereby remaining on forty seven points.

The second-placed Tottenham are on forty eight points, five points behind Leicester and ahead of Arsenal on goal difference. Mauricio Pochettino’s men have enjoyed an exceptional season in the top flight of English football and an away win against Manchester City could act as a morale-booster for the young Spurs side.

Team News

Samir Nasri, Elaquim Mangala, Wilfried Bony, Kevin de Bruyne, Fabian Delph and Jesus Navas are confirmed absentees for Manchester City while David Silva will face a late fitness test. Vincent Kompany has been declared match-fit and is likely to start. Pochettino’s side has traveled without Clinton N’Jie and Jan Vertonghen in the squad.

Manchester City Possible Starting Lineup: Joe Hart, Bacary Sagna, Nicolas Otamendi, Vincent Kompany, Gael Clichy, Yaya Toure, Fernandinho, Raheem Sterling, Aleksandar Kolarov, Sergio Aguero, Kelechi Iheanacho.

Tottenham Hotspur Possible Starting Lineup: Hugo Lloris, Kieran Trippier, Toby Alderweireld, Kevin Wimmer, Ben Davies, Eric Dier, Mousa Dembele, Erik Lamela, Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane.

Thoughts From Both Camps

We are always thinking that we can do it, but after that you must demonstrate during the game why you can do it. Maybe it was an unexpected defeat against Leicester but we played a very good team.

– Manuel Pellegrini, Manchester City.

“This is our challenge, to try to keep the same intensity in every game. I want them to play like lions – this is what all managers want and expect from their players, to feel and play. The result will not change the future, the final position of the table. It is an important game but it is not decisive.”

– Mauricio Pochettino, Tottenham Hotspur.

Contributor’s Pick

According to Head-2-Head statistics, Manchester City have won all of their last five home encounters against Tottenham Hotspur. However, the last six Premier League meeings have resulted in two wins and four losses for Spurs.

Tottenham are undefeated in twenty two of their last twenty four Premier League matches and are likely to present a strong challenge for the English Premiership title. On current form, with Tottenham winning their last four league games and Manchester City winning only thrice in their previous six matches, a 2-2 draw is the most probable result.