Tottenham will meet Manchester City three times over the course of a fortnight. Spurs could end both Manchester City’s Champions League and Premier League title hopes over the course of their three-match war.
The Premier League sides will meet on Tuesday night at the all-new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The unbelievable new venue will be the host of their Champions League first leg tie and it could give Spurs the chance to draw first blood.
Manchester City advanced to the FA Cup Final at the weekend thanks to a 1-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion. The Cityzens were in control throughout, but couldn’t add to their goals tally. It is a trend that has occurred over their last five matches in the Premier League. Manchester City have been winning, but just once in that time in those five matches have they scored over 2.5 goals. That came in a 3-1 win over Watford.
Fatigue could be playing a part in Pep Guardiola’s side as they go for five trophies this term. Manchester City have already won the FA Community Shield and Carabao Cup. They now have their eyes on the FA Cup, Premier League, and Champions League. Guardiola’s team is becoming overworked. While his Barcelona teams were able to complete incredible trophy hauls, it came with a cost. The team was burnt out at times and Barcelona arguably played against less aggressive teams in La Liga week in, week out.
Tottenham are clinging onto third place in the Premier League. Spurs recently ended a five-game winless streak with a win over Crystal Palace. Like Manchester City, Tottenham are fatigued, but for different reasons. Spurs tiredness has come from a lack of depth in quality players. Tottenham are just three points above sixth-place Manchester United.
Spurs’ injury list has two familiar names on it as Erik Lamela and Serge Aurier will miss the first leg fixture with hamstring injuries, respectively. Eric Dier is still sidelined and misses out due to a hip injury. Back-up striker Fernando Llorente is also expected to sit out due to suffering a concussion in Spurs’ win over Crystal Palace.
Guardiola doesn’t have the injury headaches that Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino does. But he could be without full-back Kyle Walker after he limped off against Brighton on Saturday. Left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko has a strained hamstring which could keep him out. Benjamin Mendy played 79 minutes in the FA Cup semi-final and should fit into Manchester City’s starting XI.
Sergio Aguero missed the FA Cup semi-final due to a knock. He could feature in some capacity for the Cityzens.
Tuesday night’s game will be the first of three matches over the course of 12 days between Tottenham and Manchester City. It will be a war that could decide two trophy races.