By Habeeb Kuranga
One of the most entertaining fixtures in the English Premier League at least in recent times will be on the screen once again. In what will be a battle of tactical intelligence from two elite managers in modern football. It is a fixture of goalscoring aristocracy, which is going to involve two incredible goal poachers who have been amazing since the beginning of the season up till this moment. The blue half of Manchester will be playing host to the White half of north London at one of the league’s fortresses in Etihad Stadium.
Both teams succumbed to defeat in their respective derby fixture at the weekend. Manchester City lost to Manchester United in a controversial fashion that will be spoken about in years to come. While Tottenham Hotspur on the other hand was gazumped, dominated, and decimated by the table toppers, Arsenal on their home turf.
Here is another round of fixtures for both teams to right the wrongs of their underwhelming performances last time out.
Here is what you need to know about the showpiece event coming up at the Etihad Stadium.
This fixture is going to be the 51st edition in the EPL. Manchester City has triumphed on 16 occasions, Tottenham Hotspur has been victorious on 27 occasions, while 7 have ended in draws.
Antonio Conte could be the first manager to record multiple victories with two different teams against Pep Guardiola’s Man City. The Italian recorded two victories while at the helm at Chelsea in the 2016/17 season. He also defeated the Spaniard once last season.
Tottenham Hotspur could be the first team to inflict successive home league defeats to Man City under the tutelage of Guardiola in the EPL. In fact, Spurs could become the first team to win three consecutive league games against a side led by Guardiola. That included all teams he has headed in his managerial career.
The Cityzens have recorded just one victory over Spurs in their last six matches. Amassing just 4 points from a possible 18.
Guardiola has lost more times (three) than he has won (two) against Conte. Making him just one of the two managers he (Guardiola) has faced – at least four times – losing more often than he’s won against in all competitions, with Jurgen Klopp the other manager.
Erling Haaland and Harry Kane are the two players who have scored more than 40 per cent of their respective teams’ goals this season (47 per cent and 41 per cent respectively).
In their last ten games in the EPL, Man City have amassed 19 points (W6 D1 L2) while Tottenham Hotspur has garnered a meagre 13 points (W4 D1 L5).
Manchester City’s possible line-up: Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Laporte, Cancelo; Gundogan, Rodri, De Bruyne; Mahrez, Haaland, Grealish
Tottenham Hotspur’s possible line-up: Lloris; Romero, Dier, Lenglet; Doherty, Sarr, Højbjerg, Perisic; Kulusevski, Kane, Son
