Allen Hamilton
What: English Premier League
Who: Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City
When: Sunday 28th August 2011, at 13.30 UK Time
Where: White Hart Lane, London, England
Worrying Collapse
Tottenham Hotspur do not have the best of records at Old Trafford but, on Monday night, Harry Redknapp’s side were well in the game against the champions – until Manchester United scored. Then Spurs collapsed and conceded another two goals in quick succession. It was game over and worryingly, it was not a surprise.
Now the Lilywhites must look to bounce back to life against United’s local rivals Manchester City, though given the strength in depth of Roberto Mancini’s side and their respective start to the new Premier League season, that is easier said than done. Indeed, City’s transfer spending this summer contrasts with Spurs. While Mancini has lavished cash on the likes of Sergio Aguero, Samir Nasri and Stefan Savic, Redknapp has been hamstrung, waiting to see whether Luka Modric will move to Chelsea and scrimping and scraping; Redknapp’s key signing so far is City reject Emmanuel Adebayor, who has arrived on loan and is unable to play against his parent club.
Redknapp well understands the challenge ahead against City labelling Mancini’s side as strong as any on the planet. "They have a fantastic squad", said the Spurs boss, "it is as strong as any in the world. They haven’t got Lionel Messi, but they are still as strong as Barca, man for man." The former Portsmouth man warned his side can still compete though: "It’s hard, but we have good players as well, we’ll be pushing", added Redknapp.
Unlimited Expectations
Manchester City got their first taste of what money can buy this week, with club officials mingling at Monaco for the Champions League draw. A group containing Bayern Munich, Villarreal and Napoli would have instantly put any other side on a downer, but not City. With a squad the envy of the world, Roberto Mancini’s side may have been in pot three for the draw, but they were the pot one side in Group A – instantly.
The club’s start to the new Premier League campaign has been good, with two wins out of two, although Swansea and Bolton did not represent as stern a test as Spurs here will. City will be well aware that Tottenham are capable of scoring goals, especially at home, and any lapses in concentration could be punished harshly. In fact, the advantage has been with Spurs in recent years, with the London club beating City 11 times in their last 14 encounters.
New City signing Samir Nasri however, fresh from a spell at Spurs’ rivals Arsenal, may make his debut here and has little doubt over the quality of the side he has joined. "When you see the investment of the last three seasons you see they bring some muscle and quality players", said Nasri. "World-class players are not scared to come to Man City and you can see that with Sergio Aguero."
Recent form
Tottenham Hotspur:
Hearts 0-5 Tottenham Hotspur
(18/08; Europa League)
Manchester United 3-0 Tottenham Hotspur (22/08; Premier League)
Tottenham Hotspur 0-0 Hearts
(25/08; Europa League)
Manchester City:
Manchester United 3-2 Manchester City (07/08; Community Shield)
Manchester City 4-0 Swansea City (15/08; Premier League)
Bolton Wanderers 2-3 Manchester City (21/08; Premier League
Key absences
Tottenham Hotspur: Emmanuel Adebayor (ineligible); Ledley King; Wilson Palacios (doubt); Peter Crouch (doubt); Steven Pienaar; William Gallas
Manchester City: Nigel de Jong
Players to watch
Tottenham Hotspur – Luka Modric: Spurs have undoubtedly suffered from the Modric transfer saga. The Croatian is still keen to head to Chelsea, but will not push for a move and should, in truth, be happy to get back to playing football. Modric is one of the few Spurs players who would be guaranteed a starting spot in Manchester City’s side, such is his obvious talent. He can be a key man here.
Manchester City – Sergio Aguero: The Argentine hitman has looked instantly at home in the Premier League since his move from Atletico Madrid and is no respecter of records. Aguero will be unaware of City’s poor recent history in this fixture and should be on a high from two wins out of two. Blistering long-range shots to tap-ins, Aguero will be a big danger to Spurs.
Match Predicition
Spurs will need to show more resolve than was on display against Manchester United, but Redknapp’s side are capable of doing just that. At home, defeat is not something the London side will want to endure.
City already look very strong and this match may be dictated by how Mancini approaches it. Should the Eastlands outfit attack, they can see Spurs off quickly. But a cat and mouse game may see a low scoring game. City to edge it. Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Manchester City.
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