After two consecutive defeats to Southampton and Manchester United, the champions return to action tonight eight points adrift of leaders Arsenal, knowing nothing less than a victory against Antonio Conte’s Tottenham side will almost rule out the Premier League title for the third consecutive season.
Here is my predicted XI I would love to see for tonight’s must-win:
GK: Ederson
Ederson will always remain Guardiola’s number one due to the Brazilian’s distribution. However, as last week’s derby proved, the goalkeeper is still prone to mistakes and will cost City in knockout competitions.
RB: Kyle Walker
Walker needs to continue building match fitness and putting in solid performances, the right-back was impressive in the derby when deployed in his natural position and asked to keep his width. Walker faces another difficult test against Spur’s Heung Min Son and despite the South Korean being poor so far this season, he loves a goal against the Blues and Walker will have to be at his best to stop him from doing so.
CB: John Stones
City’s best defender has returned to training this week and should be available to start the game. City’s lack of shots on target in recent fixtures stems from a lack of progressiveness from the two centre-backs. Having Stones available should help fix that issue.
CB: Aymeric Laporte
Laporte has been immense all season, and City have missed the Spaniard’s ability to drive with the ball and break lines quickly to launch City’s attacks. Laporte and Stones are the champion’s best partnership and should definitely start tonight.
LB: Joao Cancelo
A solid performance against United when venturing forward and is often a creative outlet for the Blues. City will need Cancelo’s creativity to unlock Spur’s stubborn defence.
CDM: Rodri
No explanation is needed. The first name on the teamsheet currently.
CM: Jack Grealish
I will continue to advocate for Grealish to move inside and occupy the left-sided 8 position. The average form of Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva and the duo’s impending exit from the club perhaps opens up an opportunity for one of Foden or Grealish to be deployed in midfield. Occupying a central position allows Grealish to flourish, carry the ball with purpose and quicken up City’s play.
CM: Kevin De Bruyne
The best midfielder in the world is back training after a personal issue and City will need the Belgian at his very best. With Stones and Laporte in the side, hopefully, the ball will find the maestro’s feet faster, so De Bruyne can excel in transition and provide the deadly final ball.
RW: Riyad Mahrez
The Algerian is in hot form and was one of City’s bright sparks in the defeat at Old Trafford. Hopefully, with Walker overlapping, Mahrez can drift inside with his wand of a left foot and look to find Haaland and co, or even find the back of the net for himself. I believe Mahrez is a key figure in securing City the three points.
ST: Erling Haaland
An unprecedented goal drought of three games is currently the predicament Haaland finds himself in. This speaks volumes of the Norwegian’s efficiency and marksman-like ability in front of goal. Guardiola hinted at the fact City players need to find Haaland, as the number 9 has been making darting, penetrating runs that his teammates haven’t picked up. A big 90 minutes are needed from Haaland and I expect him to find himself on the scoresheet again.
LW: Phil Foden
Perhaps lucky to be included in the starting XI, Foden finds himself in the team due to a lack of other options. The England international needs to find form quickly, as Foden is a shadow of the player we have become accustomed to. City’s number 47 needs to engage defenders, beat them and attack the goal with purpose. Foden’s play is all too passive and predictable as of late.
Substitutes:
Ortega, Lewis, Dias, Akanji, Ake, Gundogan, Bernardo, Alvarez, Palmer
Prediction:
Manchester City 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Haaland(1), Mahrez(1), Kane (1) P