League leaders Man City face a challenging trip to White Hart Lane on Sunday as they look to get the better of an ever-improving Tottenham Hotspur side.
City have been in unstoppable form in the league this season as they have powered to six successive victories. Indeed, the side failed to achieve victory for the time all season in midweek when they were held 3-3 by a spirited Celtic side in Europe.
The trip to London, however, could well be Pep Guardiola’s side’s biggest test of the season thus far. Currently trailing City by four points with a tally of 14 from the six matches, second-placed Spurs remain the only team aside from Man City to have gone unbeaten in Premier League this term.
Mauricio Pochettino could be without the likes of midfielders Mousa Dembele, Moussa Sissoko and Eric Dier for the visit of the Sky Blues as each of the trio are doubtful due to injury. Left back Danny Rose is another likely absentee although the defender could yet recover in time to play some part in the contest. Finally, key striker Harry Kane has been ruled out due to an ankle problem that will sideline him until November.
The absence of Kevin de Bruyne is undoubtedly City’s biggest loss going into the tie as the Belgian has been the side’s key player in their dominant start to the season. The return of captain Vincent Kompany was also a short-lived affair as the defender left the field in frustration less than 90 minutes into his comeback last week. Fabian Delph is an additional doubt for the contest but Pep Guardiola is likely to field the combination of Fernandinho, David Silva and Ilkay Gundogan in midfield in any case.
Contests between Spurs and the Citizens rarely end in a stalemate as the Sky Blues have won three of the last five matches, with Spurs winning the other two. Both of those wins, including a 4-1 thrashing at White Hart Lane, took place last season as Pochettino’s men did the double over the Manchester club.
Elsewhere in the Premier League, high-flying Liverpool face a trip to Swansea City on Saturday as Chelsea travel to Hull City. On Sunday, Manchester United will look to continue their rival in form when they welcome Stoke City while Arsenal and Leicester City come up against the likes of Burnley and Southampton respectively.
Fixtures:
Friday, September 30
Everton vs Crystal Palace – 21:00
Saturday, October 1
Swansea City vs Liverpool – 13:30
West Ham United vs Middlesbrough – 16:00
Watford vs Bournemouth – 16:00
Sunderland vs West Bromwich Albion – 16:00
Hull City vs Chelsea – 16:00
Sunday, October 2
Manchester United vs Stoke City – 13:00
Tottenham Hotspur vs Man City – 15:15
Leicester City vs Southampton – 15:15
Burnley vs Arsenal – 17:30
