It’s a testomony to the work Ange Postecoglou has carried out at Tottenham in his quick time there that his staff are already within the “must-see” class within the Premier League.
After seeing off Burnley 1-0 within the third spherical, Tottenham have been rewarded with a house conflict towards Manchester Metropolis which is bound to be a deal with for the impartial. Their final recreation resulted in an exciting 3-3 draw on the Etihad Stadium, with each managers tipping their hat to one another.
This one guarantees to be the identical and with the Cityzens‘ less-than-stellar document away to Spurs, has a novel angle connected too.
Right here’s the match preview, staff information, and prediction for the sport that supplied an important first installment within the league and needs to be extra of the identical within the cup-
Spurs vs Manchester Metropolis preview
Metropolis come into the sport on the again of 5 consecutive wins, with two of these wins sealing their maiden Membership World Cup title. Huddersfield have been barely an inconvenience within the third spherical after they have been dispatched 5-0 however that is one other stage altogether.
Metropolis have misplaced all of their final 5 away video games at Tottenham, with 84 photographs in these video games failing to seek out the web. No matter how a lot upheaval Spurs are going by way of, they all the time flip up towards Metropolis at their house.
Nevertheless, most of their wins have come attributable to backs on the wall defending and counterattacking.
Ange Postecoglou gained’t try this. He went toe-to-toe with Metropolis of their league fixture at Etihad and virtually got here away with three factors.
Metropolis additionally take pleasure in when the opposition doesn’t put males behind the ball which is why an exciting affair is assured.
If solely both staff was at full power…
Spurs vs Manchester Metropolis predicted lineup
Spurs staff information
On the damage entrance for Spurs, this recreation is all in regards to the return of James Maddison. The elegant playmaker was thriving below the brand new supervisor earlier than an damage stopped him in his tracks. He’s set to return right here and Spurs will want him too.
First-choice defensive duo Pape Sarr and Bissouma stay absent attributable to AFCON commitments, and the identical is the case with Son Heun-Min.
On the constructive aspect, Micky Van de Ven needs to be good to go for this one after he cramped off towards Manchester United within the final recreation. It can enable Ange to play his most popular again 4 with Porro and Udogie as wingbacks and Romero partnering Van de Ven.
Kulusevski can be set to return after an sickness dominated him out towards United.
Predicted Spurs XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Hojbjerg, Bentancur; Johnson, Kulusevski, Werner; Richarlison
Man Metropolis staff information
Erling Haaland’s damage has pressured Pep to be artistic however the embarrassment of riches at his disposal have made traversing that state of affairs simpler. De Bruyne returned from his layoff lately and he’ll begin right here.
Stefan Ortega might be in objective and a begin for Nathan Ake is probably going attributable to Manuel Akanji’s damage problem. Alvarez ought to lead the road in Haaland’s absence whereas a lot might be anticipated of Phil Foden who has been concerned in 16 targets in 14 FA Cup video games for Metropolis (11 targets, 5 assists).
Predicted Metropolis XI: Ortega; Walker, Dias, Stones, Gvardiol; Rodri, Kovacic; Silva, Foden, De Bruyne; Alvarez
Spurs vs Manchester Metropolis prediction
It’s laborious to separate these groups when at full power however within the absence of Spurs’ base of midfield in Bissouma and Sarr, it’s troublesome to see past Metropolis for this one.
The Guardiola machine all the time begins purring in January and the indicators of it have been seen towards Huddersfield.
Spurs gained’t again down although, however with out ready defensive gamers, they might dragged across the pitch by the intelligent motion of Metropolis’s attackers.
Metropolis’s clear sheet might be spoiled, however they’ll emerge victorious nonetheless in a objective fest to exorcise the demons of a Spurs away recreation.
FootTheBall predicts Spurs 2-4 Manchester Metropolis.