Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City preview, team news, tickets and prediction

Tottenham Hotspur sit very much behind Manchester City on the Premier League table. When the two teams met in the first leg in 2023, it was a clash between the defending champions and the leaders. However, things have changed since then but this fixture remains important to both sides as we approach the concluding chapter of the season.

As of the time of writing, Tottenham have 47 points from 25 games, while Pep Guardiola’s men sit four points behind Liverpool in second place with 56 points from 25 games.

Tottenham Hotspur started the season like a house on fire and looked like a side that would compete for the Premier League title. At some point when injuries stuck, they still stayed competitive and are currently outside the top four by just four points as of the time of writing.

Spurs' most prominent exit over the summer was prolific hitman Harry Kane who left the North London side for Bundesliga big boys Bayern München in search of a new challenge. Other notable exits include Harry Winks who left for relegated Leicester City, Davinson Sanchez and Tanguy Ndombele to Turkish giants Galatasaray, Lucas Moura to Sao Paulo on a free transfer. Sergio Reguilon, Japhet Tanganga, Djed Spence, and Joe Rondon secured loan moves away to Manchester United, FC Augsburg, and Leeds United respectively.

In terms of recruitment, Spurs, aside from getting a new manager, also acquired Brennan Johnson from Nottingham Forest, English midfielder James Maddison from Leicester City, Dutch center-back Micky van de Ven from VfL Wolfsburg, Pedro Porro from Sporting CP, Dejan Kulusevski from Italian giants Juventus, and current starting goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario from Empoli. Exciting winger Manor Solomon joined from Shakhtar Donetsk on a free transfer while Giovanni Lo Celso returned from his loan spell at Villarreal.

Tottenham Hotspur sat at the top of the Premier League table following their unbeaten run in their first ten games, but after a bad patch of form, they have struggled for consistency and have now lost out in the title race. They are simply focusing on a return to Europe at this point and if they can secure some fine results on the road, it is quite possible.

After a season of making history by winning the treble, Pep Guardiola opted to make some changes to his squad. Key players like Riyad Mahrez left for Al Ahli, Aymeric Laporte to Al Nassr, Ilkay Gundogan and Joao Cancelo to Barcelona, and Benjamin Mendy to Lorient. Around the same time, youngster Cole Palmer went to Chelsea in a big money move.

As usual, the tactician went into the market to get players such as defender Josko Gvardiol was signed from RB Leipzig, Matheus Nunes from Wolverhampton Wanderers, Jeremy Doku from Stade Rennes, and Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea. These signings have not particularly been superb, but City have been quite competitive this term and are in the run-in for the Premier League title.

On the pitch, the Citizens started the season by beating Burnley in the first game of the season thanks to goals from Haaland and Rodri. Afterward, they won their next five games against Newcastle, Sheffield United, Fulham, West Ham, and Nottingham Forest. However, their run was halted by Wolverhampton Wanderers. As usual, the champions dipped in form, suffering losses to Arsenal and Aston Villa and drawing against Liverpool, Chelsea, and Tottenham in their last seven games just before December. Guardiola’s team then built gradually on either side of a Club World Cup win to close the gap at the top of the Premier League log. At the turn of the year and as of the time of writing, the Citizens only dropped points to Chelsea at home. In past seasons, Manchester City always finished the season strongly and nothing short of that is expected here.

On the balance of things, it is expected to be an exciting match between two sides who play exciting styles of football in the Premier League.

Match tickets

This crucial match at Tottenham Stadium in London kicks off on Saturday 20th April 2024, at 3 PM UK time.

The magnificent 62,850-capacity stadium is the place to be for this clash between the Whites and the defending champions.

Getting tickets for the Tottenham vs Manchester City tickets could take a lot of work given the standard of this game. Hence, you are advised to search ticket reselling sites should they be expectedly sold out on each club’s channels.

Team news

Line-ups

Postecoglou's Tottenham Hotspur, known for their possession-heavy style of football, will be looking to control the game via the midfield with the experience and solidity of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, rejuvenated Bissouma and intelligent Lo Celso pulling the strings. Skipper Son Heung-Min and midfielder Pape Matar Sarr remain key to their play and will be keen to make a mark in this game. Most of the injured players are back but the Whites have lacked consistency and with the season conclusion on the horizon, a change could happen for them in these final days.

Tottenham: Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie, Bissouma, Sarr, Son, Kulusevski, Johnson, Richarlison.

Manchester City do not have any major injury concerns since Kevin de Bruyne returned to the side after his long layoff. Goalkeeper Ederson, Manuel Akanji, Jack Grealish, John Stones, and Erling Haaland are some of those who have been in the physio’s room in recent times but all should be back for this clash with the Hatters. Rodrigo continues to make an impact in his defensive role and remains an important player for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Manchester City XI: Ederson; Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Rodrigo, Julian Alvarez, De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland, Phil Foden.

Prediction

The reverse fixture was a six-goal thriller and quite enjoyable for the Neutrals. For this particular fixture, we might just see another high-scoring game. However, Spurs have a solid record at home against the Citizens and will be relying on that to get revenge for the FA Cup defeat here back in January.

Tottenham 1-2 Manchester City