It’s not been the best few months to be a City fan since the dawn of 2015, but things look like they could now be improving going into the final few games of the season, with the chances of getting automatic qualification for the group stages of the Champions League next season ever-increasing. However, before that is secured City face possibly their biggest test of the remaining games on Sunday, as they make the trip to North London to face Tottenham.
Unfortunately, the win may not be as easy to get this time as it was last time we faced Spurs, when they paid a visit to Eastlands back in October. That day, City showed why they might be able to retain their title despite Chelsea being overwhelming favourites in the eyes of everyone, with City sending Spurs back down to London with their tails between their legs after a 4-1 defeat, with Aguero netting all four goals for the hosts. Joe Hart played a vital role as well, saving a penalty from Soldado when the score was just 2-1. After that game however, The Blues embarked on a relatively poor run of form, which damaged chances in all competitions.
Getting a win at White Hart Lane won’t be as easy as it was last season either, with five different Blues players scoring in a 5-1 win on Spurs’ own turf. Aguero opened the scoring before going off with an injury, although it was after half-time that the action really heated up. Edin Dzeko and Yaya Toure tripled City’s lead before Etienne Capoue lessened the deficit to two goals minutes later, only for Stevan Jovetic and Vincent Kompany to seal a brilliant 5-1 victory in North London.
If only it could be that easy this time.
Thankfully, City have some players returning as they prepare to take on Spurs. Former Arsenal men Samir Nasri (who has impressed against Spurs since joining City) and Gael Clichy both return from muscle injuries, but three of the scorers from last season – Yaya, Jovetic and Kompany – remain absent with hamstring, hip and muscle injuries respectively.
Spurs have less injury concerns to consider than City, but Ben Davies (dislocated shoulder) and Kyle Walker (ankle) both miss out on the visit from The Blues. However, reported target for Manuel Pellegrini’s side, Danny Rose, returns to the Spurs side from a hamstring injury.
With Manchester United slipping up for a third consecutive game on Saturday evening, losing out at home to West Brom, City have a fine opportunity to put some more distance between themselves and their biggest rivals with a win (or even a draw) at White Hart Lane. With Arsenal also not playing until Monday, a win puts The Blues in a good position to stake a claim for second place – although The Gunners do have a game in hand, and will be hoping their North London adversaries can do them a favour on Sunday afternoon. It’s shaping up to be a hotly-contested game on Sunday, with three points important for both teams, even if neither has any hope of silverware this season.
