Here is how Tottenham could line up against Manchester City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Tottenham Hotspur switch their attention back to the Premier League as they welcome Manchester City to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday evening.
Spurs booked their place in the Champions League Round of 16 after beating Eintracht Frankfurt comfortably in Germany. Goals from Randal Kolo Muani and Dominic Solanke helped the team register a comfortable victory and safe passage to the competition’s knockout rounds, where the north Londoners’ potential Last-16 opponents are Galatasaray, Club Brugge, Atletico Madrid, and Juventus.
Back to the Premier League, Thomas Frank’s side have been royally struggling for form. They dropped points again after drawing 2-2 at relegation-battling Burnley last weekend. Cristian Romero scored a 90th-minute header to salvage a point for Spurs against Burnley. The challenge gets bigger when Manchester City visit the town at the weekend.
However, having had Man City’s number mostly in recent seasons and beaten them 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium back in August, Spurs will head into this mouthwatering fixture with some spirit and confidence. That said, here is how Tottenham could line up against Man City.
Goalkeeper: Guglielmo Vicario
Guglielmo Vicario enjoyed a calm night in Frankfurt in midweek, as Spurs got the job done. He is expected to have a busy time in goal on Sunday when Man City visit Tottenham, so the Italian needs to be at his best to keep back-to-back clean sheets.
Cristian Romero faces a big task of keeping Erling Haaland at bay
Cristian Romero faces a big task of keeping Erling Haaland at bay
Defence: Djed Spence, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie
A minor injury ruled Micky van de Ven out of the trip to Frankfurt. Frank expects Van de Ven to be back for this fixture. If he is fully fit, the Dutchman walks straight back into the starting XI and partners skipper Cristian Romero in central defence.
Being the skipper, Romero will not only be responsible for organising Tottenham’s backline but also marshalling City’s sharpshooter, Erling Haaland. The Romero vs. Haaland battle on the pitch will be fascinating to watch, and whoever wins it should have a big say in the game.
With Pedro Porro ruled out for four weeks with a hamstring injury, Djed Spence becomes an obvious starter at right-back. Destiny Udogie will retain his spot at left-back after a commanding display against Frankfurt.
Midfield: Joao Palhinha, Archie Gray, Conor Gallagher
Joao Palhinha returned to the starting XI in midweek after sitting out three games with a minor injury. Surprisingly, he operated on the right of a back three against Frankfurt and did well, but the Portuguese should be back to his natural position in midfield at the weekend.
Conor Gallagher may get a free role in midfield against Man City on Sunday
Conor Gallagher may get a free role in midfield against Man City on Sunday
Archie Gray should get the nod to partner with the experienced Palhinha in the double pivot, with the duo looking to screen the backline and recycle possession. This would allow Conor Gallagher, who was ineligible to face Frankfurt, to play in an advanced midfield role. As a No.10, Gallagher will look to get into pockets of spaces behind City’s midfield, link play, and get into promising goalscoring positions.
Attack: Xavi Simons, Dominic Solanke, Wilson Odobert
Frank’s tactics will be to suffocate City in midfield and hit the visitors hard on the counter. His possible usage of Gallagher as an advanced midfielder should see Xavi Simons being shoved on the left flank. From a wide position, Simons will be expected to provide creativity and guile to help Tottenham unlock City’s defence.
Wilson Odobert has been enjoying a run of games on the right flank, and there is no reason why he shouldn’t continue in that position against the Sky Blues. Despite opening the scoring against Frankfurt, Randal Kolo Muani is likely to make way for Dominic Solanke. After netting Tottenham’s second at Frankfurt, Solanke must be raring to build on it and get himself on the scoresheet at the weekend.