Match Preview: Spurs v City (we are back)

 Match Preview: Spurs v City (we are back)

Sunday 15th at the Tottenham stadium. Kick-off at 4.30

We are back after a year of pandemic mania that went through the world like Epson salts. Granted, there have been a few test cases over that period (I managed to go to most of them, only missing one), but now back to normal (or as normal as possible).

I shall be travelling up on Sunday, leaving at 10 am in the morning. The first visit is always to the Spurs shop and then meeting old friends. Can’t wait. I did go to the Arsenal friendly, but friendlies are never the same.

Harry Kane

First up, let us deal with Harry before we got on to the team news: Nuno Espirito Santo spoke to the media.

Here are the key points from his news conference:

As most of you will know, Harry Kane returned to training on Friday and, yes, he had a word with his new coach. However, both kept mum about what was actually said. Nonetheless, Nuno repeatedly said that Kane is still a Spurs player and “He’s here with us – we have to think about tomorrow. Let’s prepare the training session tomorrow and go day by day. All the players who work with us are our players.” So, that is that!

TEAM NEWS

As I had said, Nuno Espirito Santo says a decision will be made on Saturday as to whether Manchester City target Harry Kane will be featured, either on the bench or at the beginning.

Nuno also said before the match: “I don’t have any concerns about trying to convince players to play for Spurs. It’s such a huge club; it’s such a fantastic club. We should be proud of being here.” He also added that we have “positions we need to balance for all of the year”.

Our new signings Cristian Romero and Bryan Gil could be involved, and apart from Kane, where there is a question mark, everybody else is fit.

Manchester City

City are without Phil Foden for up to four weeks due to the foot injury he suffered on England duty. Kevin de Bruyne is also absent due to an ankle injury during Belgium’s Euro 2020 quarter-final loss against Italy.

My thoughts and prediction

Personally, I don’t think Kane will play on Sunday as he would be too distracted, as he has stated he wants to leave; he probably will be in two minds which net he should target; who to impress (joking!)?

As for the game, City are without the injured Foden, but they have other talents to cover for him.

As for us; as this is Nuno’s first game, he will want the strongest possible team – part from Kane – and will go for a win. We have many creative players to worry City’s defence, and the only question mark would be our defence. But saying all that I expect a good result for us.

Prediction: 2-1

Predicted Lineups

Tottenham (4-2-3-1)

Lloris; Serge Aurier, Davinson Sanchez, Eric Dier, Sergio Reguilon; Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Harry Winks; Lucas Moura, Dele Alli, Steven Bergwijn; Son.

Manchester City (4-3-3)

Ederson; Joao Cancelo, John Stones, Ruben Dias, Benjamin Mendy; Fernandinho, Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva; Riyad Mahrez, Samuel Edozie, Ferran Torres.

We have yet to concede a goal in our three successive wins over City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in all competitions. City manager Pep Guardiola has never lost four away games in a row to one opponent in his managerial career, so hopefully, this will be his first.

Tottenham Hotspur

Andre Villas-Boas is the only one of Spurs’ last six bosses, including caretakers, not to win his first Premier League match in charge.

We have only won five of our past 17 Premier League matches without Kane. One of those results was 2-0 at home to Manchester City in February 2020.

If Hugo Lloris plays, he will equal Darren Anderton’s club record of 299 Premier League appearances.

Son has scored six goals in all competitions against City, including in all three meetings at our Stadium.

Manchester City

When City lost 2-0 at our Stadium on 21 November, they were 11th in the table and eight points behind, leading the others at the top of the league. City ended up finishing the season six places and 24 points above us.

Man City can set a new top-flight record on Sunday of 11 successive victories in their opening match of the season, passing Aston Villa’s run from 1891-92 to 1900-01.

City last failed to win their opening fixture of a Premier League season when they drew 0-0 against Spurs at White Hart Lane in 2010-11. They hadn’t lost their opening match of a top-flight season since 2008-09 when they were beaten at Villa.

Pep Guardiola has lost four away matches against us, the joint-most of his managerial career, and defeats at Chelsea and Liverpool.

That is it; you are all prepped for the weekend. As I said, I can’t wait. It isn’t just about watching the mighty Spurs, but the friends and atmosphere as well. I’ve been going since the late 50s and will continue right into the next century (unless death intervenes!).

Stay safe and all the best,

Glenn

COME ON YOU SPURS!

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