Tottenham-Manchester City is a replay of the thirty-fourth day of the Premier League and is played on Tuesday at 9pm: live TV, probable formations, predictions.
The match that can decide the fate of the 2023-24 Premier League. Manchester City makes up the match with Tottenham, postponed a month ago to allow Pep Guardiola’s men to play in the FA Cup semifinal with Chelsea, and in the event of a win would get their hands on the title, which would be their fourth in a row.
The Cityzens currently have just one point less than leading Arsenal: the Gunners are ahead (86 to 85) but have played one more match and are not masters of their own destiny. By winning both of their last two games, however, De Bruyne and his teammates would be certain to retain the scepter of reigning champions, regardless of the result of the Londoners – engaged in the derby with Fulham – who paradoxically for one night will have to cheer for their bitterest rivals. Spurs seem to be the last obstacle separating City from yet another triumph: coming off five consecutive victories in which they have scored a whopping 15 goals without conceding any, Guardiola and his men next Sunday host at the Etihad Stadium – where they have never lost this year – the far from irresistible West Ham, whose hopes of getting back into the race for Europe faded after the last day of the championship.
Spurs, Champions hopes in the twilight zone
Tottenham, on the other hand, can still reach fourth place and qualify for the next Champions League but a half-miracle is needed to leapfrog Aston Villa, four lengths away.
Ange Postecoglou’s team could even be out of the running even before they take on City if 24 hours earlier Aston Villa gets the better of them in the 37th day postponement with Liverpool. The Capitols in the last month have failed to take advantage of the Villans’ decline by losing four consecutive games, a negative streak that was broken only a week ago with a victory against Burnley, beaten 2-1 at Hotspurs Stadium. Postecoglou, meanwhile, also has to cope with the forfeit of Richarlison, who adds to the list of injuries: also unavailable are Werner, Fraser, Udogie and Davies.
The Prediction
The precedents say that in the last six challenges between these two teams, Spurs have prevailed three times, in addition to a draw and two wins by the Cityzens. Not an easy match for Guardiola’s men, who will have all the pressure on their shoulders, knowing that even a draw might not be enough (in case of a tied finish, Arsenal is currently ahead on goal difference). Manchester City’s victory in any case should come anyway, considering the great moment of form of the reigning champions, practically perfect once they come out of the Champions League. Expect at least three goals overall.
The probable lineups of Tottenham-Manchester City
TOTTENHAM (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Pedro Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Emerson Royal; Bissouma, Bentancur; Kulusevski, Maddison, Johnson; Son.
MANCHESTER CITY (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Stones, Ruben Dias, Gvardiol; Bernardo Silva, Rodri, De Bruyne; Doku, Haaland, Foden.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-3
