Tottenham vs Man City: Three key battles to keep an eye on – including this intriguing midfield tussle

Tottenham vs Manchester City – Three key battles to watch out for

Manchester City have once again stamped their authority in the Premier League after beating Manchester United in an emphatic manner last season to win the Premier League crown. It has been goals galore for the Citizens this term, having scored as many as 26 goals from their first 9 games. They dropped points against the likes of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool but have looked like the most potent goalscoring unit in the Premier League.

Tottenham, on the other hand, have made a good start as well. Barring a couple of slip-ups against Watford and Liverpool, the Lilywhites have put in some consistent performances this term. They sit 5th in the standings, tied on points with Arsenal and Chelsea and are just a couple of points behind table-toppers Manchester City.

Hence, the fans have every reason to expect a thrilling end-to-end encounter when the two giants of the Premier League battle it out for supremacy at the top of the table. With the attacking firepower that both the teams have at their disposal, Monday’s fixture at the Wembley is set to produce a mouth-watering goal feast.

Spurs will be buoyed by the return of their key players Christian Eriksen and Mousa Dembele, both of whom played in the Champions League. However, they might be without the services of Dele Alli who is yet to fully recover from his thigh injury. Pep Guardiola, on the other hand, will be happy to have Kevin de Bruyne and Kyle Walker back to full fitness.

Manchester City beat Spurs both at home and away last season in the Premier League but the Lilywhites will be aiming to have the final say this time around.

Here are 3 key tactical battles that might decide the fate of the match:-

1. Benjamin Mendy vs Kieran Trippier

Monday’s clash is set to feature two of the best full-backs in the Premier League. Both Benjamin Mendy and Kieran Tripper have been in fine form and have contributed equally to the attack and the defence.

While Manchester City have enjoyed the fruits of having a flying left-back in their team, Trippier has provided as many as 7 assists for Harry Kane since the start of last season, which the most by any player for another.

Spurs will need the Englishman to make overlapping runs and supply those perfectly weighted crosses into the box to supply Harry Kane but they will have to be wary of Mendy’s presence down the right. The Frenchman has registered as many as 5 assists this season and likes to use his pace and power down the left to initiate counter-attacks.

Mendy also likes to drift inside at times and Trippier will have to be at the top of his game to keep the Frenchman at bay.

2. Christian Eriksen vs Fernandinho

It is the battle of one of the best playmakers in the Premier League against the best defensive midfielder. Eriksen hasn’t hit top gear this season and was sidelined with a hip injury for a couple of games but he came back with a bang in the Champions League. He looked at the top of his game against PSV Eindhoven and assisted Kane with a brilliant cross.

Even at the age of 33, Fernandinho has been as solid as a rock in central midfield for the Citizens. Not only has he cut out the attacks with crucial tackles and interceptions but has also carried the ball forward with purpose. He averages 1.1 interceptions, 2.3 aerial duels, 1 key pass and 2.3 clearances per game in the Premier League.

Although he is at the twilight of his career, there seem to be no significant chinks in his armour and Eriksen will have his work cut out against the Brazilian midfield maestro.

3. Harry Kane vs Nicolas Otamendi/John Stones

This is perhaps the most important duel that might have a big say in deciding the outcome of the game. Harry Kane hasn’t hit top gear but he has still managed to find the net on a regular basis, having already scored 5 goals in the Premier League to go with two in the Champions League.

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Vincent Kompany is no longer the first-choice centre-back for Guardiola and that means Nicolas Otamendi or John Stones might be entrusted with the job of keeping Kane at bay.

However, Otamendi will be a better choice to handle Kane particularly because of the strength and aerial presence that he brings to the backline.