A key game for both sides as they aim to put a marker on their season. Tottenham hoping to kick start their season and City hoping to keep tabs with the league’s pacesetters. City are probably without the key influential figure of Elano yet again; but more importantly the FA rightly upheld the sending off of Robbie Keane which gave him a three match suspension and that deprives Tottenham with a player that scores for fun against City and always causes the City defence with a lot of problems.
Current Strikers?
Eriksson talks about the striking situation: ‘When we talk about ‘first choice` for the strikers, it`s a little bit like it is for the goalkeepers here at the moment.
‘We change them and maybe we don`t want to change. So I know who is going to play on Sunday, but I will not tell you.’
‘Yes, I feel sorry for Bianchi, of course I do.’ So not written out of his plans yet then? ‘No he’s not,’ came the sharp reply
‘It`s a choice for me and in my job I must pick the one who looks the best out there on the training pitches and who we think will do the best job for us.’
Tottenham Hotspur FC Team News:
Tottenham full-backs Pascal Chimbonda and Young-Pyo Lee face late fitness tests after picking up knocks during the UEFA Cup clash against Anderlecht.
Striker Robbie Keane starts his three-match ban for his red card against Birmingham on 2 December.
Tottenham will likely be without Gareth Bale due to a foot injury.
Player to watch: Dimitar Berbatov
The Bulgarian striker is world class and even though he has his detractors about being a bit of a lazy player, he has the sublime skill to make a mug of all premiership defences on his day.
Manchester City FC Team News:
Elano is City’s major doubt and I hope he is rested and left for at least next weekend. Mpenza is another doubt for City. City have Michael Johnson and Darius Vassell back in contention to boost the squad but will be without steadying midfield talisman Dietmar Hamann due to a one match suspension.
Player to watch: Martin Petrov
He blows hot and cold but he has a devastating left foot and pace to burn that can cause defences all sorts of problems.
Match Facts & Stats
City’s overall record against Tottenham is one in City’s favour, but in recent years Tottenham have certainly had the upper hand and City have only achieved five points in ten premier league games at White Hart Lane.
Ref Watch:
Mark Halsey – twice refereed a City match this season; both being away draws and both being good displays by the Lancashire man. So I expect another fair display.
Match Prediction:
Just like last week at Wigan, I expect City to score first, but Tottenham will pile the pressure on and get an equalizer as City fall asleep for a five minute spell. THFC 1 – 1 MCFC.
Next Fixtures:
Bolton at Home next Saturday. Unusually a 3pm kick off as well.