It’s safe to say that our resident City fans are having a mini breakdown in the Transfer Tavern following the 4-0 massacre delivered by Everton last Sunday, which led to Pep Guardiola claiming his side were out of the title race.
Although it is Guardiola’s first season in English football, it is safe to say that he has had an underwhelming effect as City boss, especially as his side were tipped by many to lift the Premier League title come May.
The fixtures do not get easier for Pep’s men as they welcome Spurs in the Saturday evening kick off, a side that seem to be bang in form and full of confidence with key players such as Harry Kane and Dele Alli performing admirably in recent weeks.
The last time these two met, we saw Spurs end Guardiola’s unbeaten start to Premier League life with an Aleksander Kolorov own goal and Dele Alli strike leading Spurs to a 2-0 win at White Hart Lane.
Though saying this, the tougher the game will spark the Citizens in to life according to our ;andlord and expect no laying down from City come the weekend, especially if they field this XI…
GK: Claudio Bravo
Guardiola will stick with Bravo for this fixture, although the Chilean has conceded from almost 43% of the shots on target he has faced this season.
RB: Bacary Sagna
The experienced Frenchman will have no love lost with Spurs following his Arsenal ties, and will look to put one over his former rivals here.
CB: Nicolas Otamendi
The Argentine has become vital to City’s defence due to the lack of options at centre back for the Citizens.
CB: John Stones
Though still learning his trade as the ball playing centre back under Guardiola, his passing has sometimes put City under pressure this season.
Stones is almost certain to start again though.
LB: Gael Clichy
Has managed to keep Aleksander Kolorov away from the left back spot for the majority of the season, our Landlord expects Clichy to resume his rivalry against Spurs here.
CM: Pablo Zabaleta
The second coming of Lahm?
Not quite, however our Landlord has been impressed with the first few performances from Zabaleta in his new role in the centre of midfield.
CM: Yaya Toure
Looks to have fully patched up his relationship with Guardiola and will be vital to City’s chances against a strong Spurs midfield.
RM: Raheem Sterling
The England starlet has been a regular for City this year, however our resident City fans would like to see more from Sterling especially with the talent of Nolito and Sane waiting in the wings.
CAM: David Silva
The Spanish wizard will look to have a positive effect on this game and if he does, our landlord expects City to prevail.
LM: Kevin De Bruyne
A wonderful talent, De Bruyne was definitely a miss for City at the Lane in October and will look to make amends in this reverse fixture.
ST: Sergio Aguero
Though Aguero has not quite hit the form we are accustomed to since his return from his 4 game suspension, our landlord believes it is only a matter of time before Aguero goes berserk again and Spurs could well be the unlucky victims.
