Manchester City prepare to play their first home Premier League game of the season at the Etihad Stadium against Tottenham Hotspur.
One of the facts which has already been lost in the mists of time is that Manchester City actually beat Tottenham Hotspur twice at the Etihad Stadium last season. I point that out up front because so much of the press narrative is leading with the line “can Tottenham repeat their success at the Etihad”? Memories are short it would seem.
This game against Spurs will be no easy run out. This will be a tough, physical encounter which will likely stretch our City side to its limits at this early stage of the season. We may be pacey and deadly, but we are not yet at our best and may find this game a significant early test.
Many pundits are already viewing this match as a bellwether game. Win and we are in a good position to mount a third successive title challenge, lose and at the very least doubts will creep in and questions will be asked.
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To me at least, making such claims at the second game of the season – despite the opponent – is just nonsense. But notwithstanding that, momentum is important and if we can carry rolling along that will not do any of us any harm at all.
City are approaching this game with only Benjamin Mendy and Leroy Sane in the treatment room. The full squad presents a selection dilemma for Guardiola. He will have to weigh up a preferred tactical approach against the players who are most in the moment and ready.
Tottenham have some injury concerns but crucially have their talismanic striker Harry Kane fit and raring to go. The big decision for Pochettino will be about whether to play want away attacking midfielder Christian Eriksen from the kick off, or to consider a more solid approach to restrict our play.
Guardiola will have a plan and I suspect we will see a tactical change for this match. I wonder whether Sterling, Mahrez and Bernardo will all get a game? Will we see Fernandinho return for his first game? Will Jesus keep his spot over the fit again Aguero?
My big fear is about VAR and red cards. The physical nature of this game given the robust play of Spurs is likely to see a red card shown in the match. Let us hope it is not to one of our players.
With some luck, a good wind and City playing to their best we should make it three wins against Spurs at the Etihad this year.
Predicted Starting XI
Ederson
Walker, Stones, Laporte, Zinchenko
Fernandinho
De Bruyne, Bernardo,
Sterling, Jesus, Mahrez