City welcome spurs to Eastlands on the back of two disappointing results. City will hope to continue a run of unbeaten games at home this season where they have only conceeded one goal, but it will be a difficult task as City have a poor record of late against spurs, even though their away form is not that great.
Vital Quotes:
Pearce talks about Spurs in Europe:
‘Like most teams that have been in the UEFA Cup, they have had a slow league start,’ Pearce asserts. ‘Newcastle, Blackburn, West Ham and Spurs have all taken time to get going, but there are the signs that Spurs are beginning to pick up. They had a fantastic result against Charlton last week, they have always got to be respected because they are a good footballing side.’
They spent a few bob in the summer buying the likes of Berbatov, Chimbonda and Malbranque so they have to be respected footballing-wise, but not feared.’
Pearce then goes on to talk about his disappointment at the way we’ve played away from home:
‘It`s a difficult one to put your finger on, looking at our camp we have given some sloppy goals away, but not at home. Maybe it`s down to the ability to sustain pressure for any amount of time, but it is amazing how it has worked out this year. All of a sudden, there are a few teams with disappointing away records.
‘I don`t think that anyone in our squad will be complacent. We have to work very hard for any victory we get, home or away, and I don`t think complacency will ever creep into our squad.’
Manchester City Team News:
City’s injury and suspension list has crept up abit this week with Thatcher and Corradi suspended and Reyna, Weaver and Micah Richards a doubt with hamstring and dead leg injuries. While Dietmar Hamann got injured yet again in training last week but on what he has shown this year, he is not such a great miss, just a waste of £30k+. Stephen Ireland should keep his place in midfield alongside the ever impressive Barton.
Player to watch: Hatem Trabelsi
Scored a fine goal last week at the swamp and continues to impress going forwards. Links up well down the right with Richards, should he play.
Tottenham Hotspur Team News:
Spurs are without Robbie Keane and Jemaine Jenas while Didier Zokora is suspended and Teemu Tainio is a doubt with an illness. But as Spurs have the biggest premiership squad, these few absentees is not a huge problem for them.
Player to watch: Steed Malbranque
This player seems to score against City with alarming regularity.
Match Facts & Stats
Since City won their epic 3-4 FA Cup replay against spurs in February 2004, City have failed to beat Spurs. But that is hardly suprising as we have only beaten them twice in all premiership meetings. But there have been very few nil nil draws between these two teams over the years.
Ref Watch:
Rob Styles – the return of Graham Poll’s illigimate brother in his (style) of rerfereeing. That is to say that both officials love to be the stars of the show and revel in getting things wrong and laughing in the misfortune of the team that has been unjustly penalised.
Match Prediction:
Hard fought game – but City might just edge this 2-1.
Next Fixtures:
Bolton at home – Sat 3pm 23rd December.