Manchester City Look to Bounce Back Against Tottenham
Manchester City will aim to avoid a third Premier League defeat in their last four matches when they visit Tottenham on Wednesday evening. Sunday’s 2-0 home loss to Liverpool saw league leaders Arne Slot’s side move 20 points clear of the defending champions, with Manchester City now focused on securing a top-four finish in what has been a challenging campaign for Pep Guardiola’s men.
Spurs’ season has also fallen short of expectations, as the club sits 12th in the table, although three consecutive Premier League wins have somewhat steadied the ship for Ange Postecoglou’s side.
Will Erling Haaland Be Available for Manchester City?
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City’s issues this season are numerous, but they still have one of the game’s best finishers in Erling Haaland, whose tally of 19 Premier League goals is second only to Mohamed Salah. However, a recent knee injury suffered in the win over Newcastle United meant Haaland was an unused substitute in their Champions League playoff second-leg defeat at Real Madrid and did not feature in the matchday squad against Liverpool.
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After City’s defeat to Liverpool, Guardiola was asked if Haaland would be fit to return against Spurs, and the Catalan coach provided an optimistic prognosis. “I don’t know,” Guardiola said. “I would like to know, but I don’t know. His knee – the moment against Newcastle moved the knee. Apparently he’s not injured because the scans dictate that he’s fine, but he didn’t feel fine. I have the feeling it (his return) will be soon because he trained yesterday and made some really good movements, but he said he was not ready and we have to respect that. Hopefully he can be back for Spurs.”
While Guardiola is hopeful that Haaland will be fit to face Tottenham, the City boss will have to make do without several key players, including John Stones (thigh), Manuel Akanji (adductor), plus long-term absentees Oscar Bobb and Rodri.
City will follow up the trip to north London with a home FA Cup fifth-round tie against Championship strugglers Plymouth Argyle on Saturday, which is followed by a trip to fellow top-four chasers Nottingham Forest a week later. Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs, meanwhile, will be gunning for a fourth consecutive Premier League win this week as they look to continue their recent resurgence.
