Manchester City: Pep looking to stop the rot at Wembley

FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: GRADIENT ADDED - COMPOSITE OF TWO IMAGES - Image numbers (L) 904524422 and 900015442) In this composite image a comparison has been made between Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur (L) and Josep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City. Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City meet in a Premier League match at Wembley Stadium on April 14, 2018 in London. ***LEFT IMAGE*** LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 13: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on prior to the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton at Wembley Stadium on January 13, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 31: Josep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City look on prior to the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Selhurst Park on December 31, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /

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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – APRIL 09: Vincent Kompany and team mates warm up during a training session at Manchester City Football Academy on April 9, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) /

Defenders:

This is where I differ slightly from the main stream thoughts on our defense. I would personally drop Nico Otamendi, but not because of poor performances. I would like to give him a rest for the game as he has looked leggy for a couple of games now. If Vinny is fit then he certainly starts and will be alongside Aymeric Laporte.

On the right it would be interesting to see what Kyle Walker could do against his old side. He played in the reverse fixture of course, but this will be his first time facing the Spurs home crowd. On the left I am a little bit undecided. Of course Fabian Delph adds that defensive aspect to the City side.

Considering Fernandinho is suspended, maybe Pep will prefer him to slot into that position to allow others to move forward. Zinchenko is another option, but a very different option. Of course, they could both play with Delph in that Fernandinho role. I just don’t think that’s the route Pep will go though.