Our picks

Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur: 20/04/2019 – match preview and predicted starting XIs

Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur

Date: 20/04/2019

K/O: 12.30pm

Venue: Etihad Stadium

Referee: Michael Oliver

TV: Sky Sports Main Event

Manchester City face Spurs in the Premier League on Saturday lunchtime looking to avenge their Champions League quarter-final away goal defeat on Wednesday.

The clash will be the third meeting between the two sides in the last 12 days and the fourth this season, with City winning twice and Spurs once so far.

Both sides remain in fierce but different battles at the top of the Premier League, with City chasing the title and Spurs looking to remain in the top four.

Manchester City Team News

After a the mental turmoil of Wednesday night, Pep Guardiola could choose to bring some fresh faces into his starting lineup.

Benjamin Mendy and Vincent Kompany have played twice in a week for the first time since returning from injury and could be set for the bench, while Aymeric Laporte endured his worst game for City on Wednesday.

John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi are pushing for recalls in the centre of defence, while Danilo or the returning Oleksandr Zinchenko could replace Mendy.

Fernandinho was only fit enough for the bench on Wednesday but could come in on Saturday, with Ilkay Gundogan the most likely to be sacrificed.

Kevin De Bruyne showed glimpses of last seasons form in a dazzling display and should retain his place, though him or David Silva could make way if Bernardo Silva is brought back into midfield.

Bernardo started Wednesday’s game on the right wing, but may make way for either Riyad Mahrez or Leroy Sane if Guardiola chooses to make a tactical reshuffle.

Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling are both expected to retain their places, with Gabriel Jesus again set for a role on the bench.

Tottenham Hotspur Team News

Spurs also have the personnel to make changes but will likely choose to retain most of their starting lineup and rest some of their big names during the visit of Brighton on Tuesday.

Their back four of Kieran Trippier, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen and Danny Rose could all keep their places, with Ben Davies appearing the most likely to come in.

Spurs’ squad is becoming slightly threadbare in midfield, with Moussa Sissoko limping off in the first half to join Eric Dier on the sidelines.

Harry Winks and Erik Lamela also missed Wednesday’s clash through injury, but could return to the matchday squad on Saturday.

Harry Kane remains out so Son Heung-min is expected to lead the line once again, though Wednesday’s hero Fernando Llorente may deputise if Mauricio Pochettino opts to rest either Son, Lucas Moura or Dele Alli.

Predicted Starting XIs

Manchester City (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Kompany, Stones, Danilo; Fernandinho, De Bruyne, D. Silva; B. Silva, Aguero, Sterling.

Tottenham Hotspur (4-3-2-1): Lloris; Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Wanyama, Eriksen, Alli, Lucas Moura; Son, Llorente.

Predicted Score: Manchester City 2 Tottenham 2

It would be beyond anyone’s wildest dreams if we see a game containing anywhere near the amount of drama on Wednesday night. That being said, both sides showed that they could hurt the other team’s defences and in the middle of a testing run of fixtures for both, there should be goals once again.

Sam Hanys

A miserable Ipswich Town fan.

90MAAT News Now

Premier League Table

90MAAT Social Media

ScoopDragon Football News Network

Search The Site