Are City back?
Manchester City looks like themselves again.
Well, they certainly did last week against Wolves; they were unbelievable at Molineux.
In fact, they have looked more like themselves for a decent period now.
Since the start of April, Manchester City have picked up more points than any other Premier League side (26), and are the only ever-present side to remain unbeaten in that time (W8 D2). They also have the most clean sheets (7) and have faced the fewest shots per game of any side in the division since April (7.6).
Can they keep that good run going?
Frank: ‘I am not worried about the noise’
Thomas Frank, Tottenham boss, speaking to TNT Sports:
The big thing is that noise [transfer business] I am not too worried about because I am not really reading anything or doing anything about it. My job is to make sure that I have laser focus on the squad and the team preparation and I try to do that.
The game in front of us is always a new story. We can make a new history, it’s all about that. I have big confidence in the group and the team, big belief that we can come here and get three points. Huge respect for Pep and Manchester City, we know it is going to be difficult but we believe in ourselves.
City’s bogey team: Tottenham
I’m not sure what it is about Tottenham, but they just know how to get points against Pep Guardiola’s Man City.
Even when they are rubbish, like they were last season, they manage to cause City all sorts of problems. I mean, they thumped them 4-0 here at the Etihad last season.
If they win today, they will have secured consecutive wins against City for the first time since 2010.
Spurs have won two of their last four Premier League games at the Etihad (D1 L1), more than they did in their previous 11 visits combined (D2 L8).
In fact, Manchester City have won just four of their last 12 Premier League games against Tottenham Hotspur (D2 L6), though they beat them 1-0 in their last meeting in February. They last secured consecutive league wins against Spurs between December 2017 and April 2019 (4).
Can the bogey team down City again?
‘Arsenal embarrassed Spurs with Eze move’
Chris Sutton, former Blackburn striker, on BBC Sport:
Manchester City really impressed me last week and everyone is rightly talking about Tijjani Reijnders. Statman Dave told me to get him into my fantasy team, I didn’t take that advice and I should’ve done. He was brilliant against Wolves
I do think Tottenham will be a level above under Thomas Frank. It will be interesting to see how they set up after playing a back three in the Super Cup final against Paris St-Germain.
Cristian Romero has signed a new contract for Tottenham – that’s a big deal – but how did they not get Eberechi Eze over the line? It had been going on for weeks and now Arsenal have come in and embarrassed them!
Tottenham are still a few players short from properly challenging the really big teams and, in this game, I think City at home will be too strong for them.
‘End of an era for Ederson’
A fairly seismic morning at the Etihad with Ederson deemed fit enough to make the matchday squad but only picked on the bench. Galatasaray want a deal done and City are talking to Donnarumma so this could be the end of an era…
Not an Eze week for Spurs
I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I couldn’t help myself.
But it’s true, it’s been an emotional rollercoaster for Tottenham this week. It started euphorically as Spurs fans thought that Eberechi Eze was going be donning their colours.
There were even supporters gloating on TikTok and taking the michael out of their mates who supported Arsenal. They were already celebrating the signing before it was confirmed.
Well, now they look silly.
Arsenal swooped in out of nowhere, and now Eze has reportedly had his medical at the Gunners and is set to sign for Spurs’ biggest rivals.
Football can be brutal at times, can’t it?
Cherki gets the nod
Guys, I am buzzing that Rayan Cherki has been named in the Manchester City starting line-up.
Why is that?
Well, the guy is a baller. Cherki is such a beautiful player with the ball at his feet. His touch, his passing, his awareness, his dribbling: all majestic.
I mean, did you see his goal last weekend? A lovely little flick to start the move, then some cheeky stepovers, and my word, what a wonderful finish at the end of it.
If he plays anything like he did in his brief cameo against Wolves, then we are in for a treat.
Tottenham are certainly going to be tested by the Frenchman.
‘Reijnders could be signing of season’
Harry Redknapp, former Spurs boss, speaking to BetVictor:
I thought Reijnders was just magnificent at Molineux. If he can keep form up, he’ll be the signing of the season. I’m very intrigued to see him here.
Tottenham Team News – TWO changes
Thomas Frank has followed in Pep Guardiola’s footsteps by making two changes from the opening weekend.
He has brought the big guns into the midfield with summer signing Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur coming into the team.
They’ve got one hell of a job on their hands today.
Man City Team News – Cherki STARTS
Ohhhh, this is interesting.
James Trafford keeps his spot in between the sticks for Manchester City, despite Ederson being fit once again.
Guardiola does make two changes, though, as both Rayan Cherki and Omar Marmoush come into the team with Bernardo Silva and Jeremy Doku dropping out.
Not a bad team, eh?
Rodri returns
By Harry Bamforth
Right, let’s get stuck straight in then.
The team news is out, and I will be bringing it to you very shortly. But first, let’s talk about the big news.
Rodri is back.
Now, I can tell you that while he is fit to play again, Pep Guardiola is easing him in, and he starts on the bench this afternoon. Still, though, it’s a huge boost for Manchester City.
The Spaniard just makes them better, doesn’t he?
Big day ahead
By Harry Bamforth
Don’t you just love Saturdays?
It’s the first day of the weekend – which is extra long this bank holiday – and there is bucket loads of football. You can’t beat it.
And boy, do we have a cracking day in store for you…
Here is today’s menu:
- Manchester City vs Tottenham, 12:30
- Bournemouth vs Wolves, 15:00
- Brentford vs Aston Villa, 15:00
- Burnley vs Sunderland, 15:00
- Arsenal vs Leeds, 17:30
Mammoth match in Manchester
By Harry Bamforth
What a way to start the day, eh?
I am only just about getting over how shocking West Ham were last night – if you missed that game, jeez, they were bad – but now we are already getting back into the thick of it, as KSI would say.
No matter where they play, when they play, or the form both teams are in, when Manchester City and Tottenham collide there are fireworks.
Honestly, I can’t remember a single game between these two in the last few years that was boring; this fixture always has goals and always entertains us.
I’m sure it’s going to be no different today, even if it’s a lunchtime kick-off (which are famously boring).
Strap yourselves in and enjoy the ride – let’s get cracking!
