Tottenham Hotspur head into Sunday’s clash with Manchester City looking to boost their hopes of ending the season in the top four of the Premier League table.
Having ended a four-match winless streak with victory over Norwich Cityt, Spurs now sit in sixth position, six points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea.
However, ahead of welcoming City to North London, Jose Mourinho continues to have a number of fitness issues regarding key players.
Harry Kane
While there have been conflicting reports regarding Kane’s eventual return date, the club’s top goalscorer will be sidelined until at least the middle of April with a hamstring injury, sustained on New Year’s Day against Southampton.
Moussa Sissoko
Like with Kane, there is no prospect of a return for Sissoko until the closing weeks of the season, with the Frenchman carrying a significant knee injury.
Ben Davies
While Davies is said to be closing in on an appearance in the squad after three months on the sidelines, the left-back is unlikely to be thrown into a match of this level. However, the Wales international may be in line to play against Southampton in the FA Cup fourth round replay on February 5.
Spurs are struggling more than anyone imagined without captain Harry Kane. The whole squad is struggling to control games leading to the opposition gaining belief earlier in the battle. Individuals have got to gel together quickly as the race for the top four intensifies.
A huge responsibility lies on the shoulders of Dele Alli and Heung-min Son to take the strain off young Argentinian starlite Giovani Lo Celso who is growing with every game. A massive surprise is how weak and vulnerable the defense has been.
So many teams have been able to hit one ball over the top or down the side and be in goal scoring range. The defensive midfielders are dragged to far apart leaving no obvious security blanket in front of the back 4 or 3.
Jose Mourinho has a really tough job ahead keeping the momentum going and picking up enough points to still be in contention when his star man returns.
KEY Strengths: Individuals who produce out of the ordinary, Pace from Son and Moura.
KEY Weakness: No Harry Kane, no front screen, no clean sheets.
Man City:
Last year’s Champions are more than likely going to have to settle for a 2nd place finish at best. With Sergio Aguero scoring at a real rattle of 6 in his last 3 games he aims to be at the head of the Golden Boot list come May.
Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Raheem Sterling all have the ability to create out of nothing. The biggest miss this year for me has been Fernandinho who has had to cover at Center Back from holding midfielder.
The Brazilian normally marshalls infront of the defenders seeing danger so early that his defenders behind him have chance to get set and see potential problems. With him at the back he is the last line and not so assured.
KEY Strengths: Attacking intent and energy, Aguero and de Bruyne
KEY Weakness: Sloppy and inviting pressure in wrong areas.
However, there is no way Jose Mourinho can set up and be defensive at home even against last year Champions. Those that have had joy against City have pressed high and exposed any sloppy passing or control.
The problem I see with Spurs trying it is when they don’t all go together and 3 seconds later City are shooting at the home side’s goal. City will enjoy space and time if recent performances by the North London side are anything to go on.
Spurs must make this a Champions League type match and atmosphere to match. I can’t trust this group without Kane and Sissoko. I can definitely trust the visitors with the goals of Aguero and Sterling and the midfield boys moving the ball around how they wish.
