Man City vs Tottenham: 3 players who could change the game on their own in the Premier League match between the English Champions and European Runner ups.
About a decade ago, there were only 3 teams who were considered title contenders. Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea. Liverpool were expected to finish in the top 4 every season but a title challenge was never expected of them. Much worse were Tottenham and Manchester City, who were considered no more than mid-table sides.
Also read: 3 players who could change the game on their own in the match between Arsenal and Burnley
Come 2019, a lot has changed. City have won the Premier League 4 times in total, and two times on the trot. Tottenham on the other hand have become a solid top 4 side who even made the Champions League final last season. The two have had some of the most exciting encounters in recent times and will renew their rivalry this weekend in the Premier League.
Head to Head
Historically, the two sides have fared very evenly against each other with Man City vs Tottenham affairs swinging in the Citizens favour 63 times and 61 to Spurs. Off late, it has been City all the way though with 4 victories in the last 5 matches. However, Tottenham’s sole victory took them to the Champions League semi-final and eventually the final.
Both sides won their first games in contrasting fashion. City pulverized West Ham 5-0 and never looked in discomfort at any stage. Tottenham on the other hand fought back from 1-0 to win the match 3-1. Both of these sides will look to continue their winning run and all eyes will be at Man City vs Tottenham match tomorrow. Let us now take a look at the 3 players who can swing the match in their sides favour at any point in the game.
Harry Kane
The England Captain was instrumental in the turn around against Aston Villa. If not for his brace, Tottenham would have walked away from that match with just a point in the bag. With the absence of several key players such as Dele Ali and Juan Foyth to injury and Son Heung-Min to suspension, the star striker will have to take more responsibility.
Earlier in the week Harry Kane had urged his side to match the standards of Manchester City this season. Now would be the perfect time to back those words and lead the lilywhites by example. His performance in the last game is encouraging though and suggests there is more to come from the English skipper.
Last weekend, Kane managed to attempt 8 shots. This is twice of what the other 8 players at the 2nd spot managed. Apart from that, he also posted 9 box involvements in the match. This was also the most in the Premier League last weekend. If he manages to replicate those numbers tomorrow, Spurs may leave Manchester victorious.
Christian Eriksen
Another Tottenham player on the list but for a very good reason. Eriksen did not start the last match against Aston Villa and was bought in as a substitute in the 64th minute. However, that proved to be a turning point in the match as the midfield suddenly became a lot more creative around him.
Eriksen created at least 24 more chances (73) than any other Tottenham player in the Premier League last season and he was equally telling in their season opener. Before his introduction in the match, Spurs had only attempted 12 shots. In the 26 minutes he was on the field, the Lilywhites were rejuvenated and attempted a whopping 19 shots. If that doesn’t tell you how important Eriksen is to Tottenham then I don’t know what will.
It remains to be seen if Eriksen will start the match or sit on the sidelines once again. However, if Tottenham want to win then they have to play the Dane. They simply cannot afford to go down 1-0 to Manchester City. The Sky Blues will not allow them to come back in the match like Aston Villa did.
Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling was phenomenal for Manchester City last season and he has picked up from where he left. He has been instrumental in both of Manchester City’s victories this season. Sterling was the only scorer for the Citizens in the Community Shield match against Liverpool. He then went on to score a hat-trick against West Ham in their season opener.
Frankly, any one of Manchester City’s players could have made the list. However, the form that Sterling is in, makes him very hard to ignore. All players go through a purple patch in their career. This could very well be it. It just seems like no one can stop him at the moment.
The last time Man City faced Tottenham; City won the match 4-3. Unfortunately, Tottenham sneaked past them in the Champions League through an away goal. The away goal was almost nullified by Sterling, who believed that he had scored the winner. It would have been his hat-trick too. However, VAR came into play and the goal was disallowed. Sterling now has a chance to avenge that painful moment tomorrow.
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