Manchester City will face stern opposition in ‘bogey’ team Tottenham as they enter the next round of their FA Cup defence.
Football has been far few in January, but fans will relish the prospect of watching a high-profile encounter between Tottenham and Manchester City in the FA Cup. Ange Postecoglou will want to create a legacy at the club. And what better way to do it than winning a trophy, which would end a much-publicised drought that Spurs have gone through.
Having already been eliminated from the League Cup, the FA Cup and potentially the Premier League remain the only avenue for Tottenham to achieve that elusive trophy. Despite having some notable absentees in the squad through international commitment, Postecoglou’s side has played reasonably well in their quest to churn out results. However, they only managed a draw in the most recent game against Manchester United.
It was another familiar result in Manchester, having already engaged in a stunning 4-4 draw against Pep Guardiola’s side earlier. As for Tottenham’s FA Cup journey, they are here courtesy of a scrappy win over Burnley in the third round, as it took a late Pedro Porro strike to break down a stubborn Clarets side.
We analysed a classic clash between the two sides from two decades ago in which Tottenham spurned a three-goal advantage to allow Manchester City to finish as 4-3 winners. Back then, the two sides had different statures compared to now, as Guardiola will lead his team into this particular clash as defending champions.
Manchester City kept up with their excellent form ahead of this encounter, having triumphed away at Newcastle United in a game that marked the return of Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian proved the catalyst in a game Guardiola’s side was chasing, as he provided the crucial equaliser to set things up nicely for a grand finale, which Oscar Bobb’s late goal provided.
In the FA Cup, Manchester City breezed past Huddersfield Town in the third round and scored five goals without a reply at the Etihad to set up the Tottenham date. Guardiola will fully expect his side to perform at their best but will be wary of the threat Spurs pose, especially considering the north Londoners have been their ‘bogey’ team for a few years now.
Team News & Tactics
Tottenham
Despite the relief of having some key players back into the fold, Ange Postecoglou continues to look at a long list of absentees. Son Heung-min, Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma are with their respective national sides, while Dejan Kulusevski remains a doubt.
Dane Scarlett, Alejo Veliz, Giovani Lo Celso, and Ben Davies are all out for the subsequent encounter. However, James Maddison and Manor Solomon could target returns after a lengthy spell on the sidelines. The attacking duo might be seen fit to take a place on the bench as a start might come too soon.
As for Kulusevski, Postecoglou will hope the Swede makes the lineup, as he will have him in that No.10 role. Despite the raft of absentees, the Tottenham boss will still have a strong enough starting lineup against Manchester City, with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur expected to marshall the central midfield zone.
At the back, he will have a complete set of first-choice starters with Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero set to resume their central defensive partnership. In the attack, Timo Werner will find himself in the starting lineup in Son’s continued absence, while Brennan Johnson and Richarlison will complete the attacking setup for Spurs.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Hojbjerg, Bentancur; Johnson, Kulusevski, Werner; Richarlison
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola will assess his options before this crucial encounter and make necessary decisions for his starting lineup. Manchester City will continue to miss Erling Haaland and John Stones for the time being, with the striker suffering a minor setback in his rehabilitation.
Stones, however, is closer to making a return soon. But Guardiola might not include him for the Tottenham game. Fellow defender Manuel Akanji could still make the matchday squad, but up until now he remains a doubt to feature.
The same goes for Ederson, who came off worse in a collision with Newcastle United’s Sean Longstaff and was replaced by deputy keeper Stefan Ortega. The 31-year-old could get a rare start between the sticks, as Guardiola might keep Ederson under wraps for the time being.
At the back, Nathan Ake and Josko Gvardiol could start, while Mateo Kovacic is best placed to begin alongside Rodri in midfield. In Haaland’s absence, Julian Alvarez will continue to lead the line, with the support of Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva and the recently returned De Bruyne in the attacking setup.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ortega; Walker, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Rodri; Silva, De Bruyne, Foden; Alvarez
Key Stats
- Tottenham have won their last five home matches against Manchester City in all competitions.
- Tottenham have kept a clean sheet in their last five home matches against Manchester City in all competitions.
- Manchester City have won their last six games across all competitions.
- Manchester City are unbeaten in their last nine games across all competitions.
- Manchester City have scored at least two goals in those nine games across all competitions.
Player to Watch
Kevin De Bruyne
Manchester City defender, Kyle Walker, thinks that his Belgian teammate, Kevin De Bruyne is on the same level as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi! 👀
Who agrees with him ⁉️🤔 pic.twitter.com/ZAElI6EmYM
— SPORF (@Sporf) January 17, 2024
Manchester City had been missing De Bruyne since the start of the season, and the Belgian showed his class as soon as he came on against Newcastle United. He has been sensational for Pep Guardiola’s side, and that goal to equalise proved plenty of doubters wrong.
With Haaland absent, Manchester City need an expert outlet, something De Bruyne can readily provide. The Belgian will have the spotlight on him when taking on Tottenham, as he will prove crucial to their chances in this season’s FA Cup, Premier League and Champions League.
Prediction
Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Manchester City
One would normally put Manchester City in the favourites bracket in any of the big games. But this one always has a different feeling, especially in North London. Guardiola’s side are not precisely uprooting trees in their big away games this season, and that may have an impact on this one.
Tottenham have won each of their last five games at home against Manchester City, and Postecoglou might extend that to six with an FA Cup triumph. Making Spurs favourites to beat Manchester City is a big statement in itself, but that might happen when Guardiola brings his squad here to north London.
