It’s a critical time of the season for both Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur. With Chelsea still blazing the trail at the top of the table, neither side can afford to drop points right now.
That’s especially true for Manchester City who suffered a humiliating defeat to Everton last time out. Guardiola’s side are now ten points adrift of Chelsea and arguably out of the title picture.
A top four position is a must for City though and they need to keep up the chase on the form teams around them.
Spurs are on a winning run that has catapulted them up to second place. Although they are seven points behind the league leaders, supporters are confident that they can mount a late title challenge given the form they’re in.
It’s all set to be a pulsating encounter between two talented squads. But what would happen if the two teams merged? What kind of XI would you see? This is our Man City vs. Spurs combined XI.
GK: Hugo Lloris
This one is a no-brainer considering the alternatives at Manchester City. Hugo Lloris is one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League while Claudio Bravo… isn’t.
The French international can always be relied upon between the sticks for Spurs and that will be no different on Saturday.
Man City fans, on the other hand, will be hoping there are no more calamitous moments from Bravo. He’s already cost them plenty of points this season.
RB: Kyle Walker
Kyle Walker has been a key part of Tottenham’s current winning form. Dashing down the right flank, he’s been as impressive in attack for the Lilywhites as in defence.
He has the ability to add an extra dimension in the final third for Spurs, both on the overlap and exposing an opposition full-back.
He’s certainly a better option than the likes of Bacary Sagna, who is likely to be on the right side of Man City’s defence on Saturday. Can Walker inspire Spurs to a massive win?
CB: Toby Alderweireld
Toby Alderweireld isn’t having as strong a season as Jan Vertonghen, but with the latter out for a number of weeks, it’s the former who’ll be given the responsibility to lead the Spurs defence through a tricky trip to the Etihad Stadium.
Alderweireld always looks a better player alongside his Belgian teammate so Spurs fans must be hoping he can step out of that shadow and shine on his own.
A key feature of Spurs’ play this season has been accurate long balls out from the back to their more creative players and it’s a role likely to be given to Alderweireld again on Saturday evening. If he can keep that success rate up, Spurs will have a direct route at City’s defence.
CB: Nicolas Otamendi
Otamendi has been one of City’s most consistent players this season although, like most of the team, looked horrendously out of sorts during the 4-0 defeat to Everton.
That result should be motivation enough for him to put in a big performance against Spurs.
The Argentinian defender has helped City to seven clean sheets so far this season and even when they’ve conceded, he’s been a rock at the back.
John Stones is where the City weakness in defence lies at the moment and Spurs will likely try to exploit that.
LB: Danny Rose
Like Kyle Walker, Danny Rose’s impact on the Premier League this season has been immense. Utilised in the same wing-back role as Walker but on the opposite side, he’s been cutting through defences like a knife through hot butter.
He had a blistering December, creating three assists and scoring himself, as shown above, against Burnley.
He’s always had attacking talent but it’s his improvement defensively that has allowed Pochettino to deploy him on the left flank without cover behind him. Rose is beginning to show he can do it all.
CM: Yaya Toure
Yes he’s well into his thirties and yes he may not be quite as good as he used to be but on his day, Yaya Toure is still one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
The Ivorian legend only started featuring regularly for City again at the start of December and while it took him a couple of fixtures to warm up, he’s beginning to look like his old self again.
Performances against Hull and West Ham were particularly impressive. He scored against Hull and grabbed one strike and one set-up away to the Hammers in the FA Cup.
It’s the kind of form City fans will be hoping he can tap into rather the other Toure we saw last week, out-muscled and out-fought in the heart of the park against Everton.
CM: Victor Wanyama
Victor Wanyama has emerged as one of the most effective midfielders in the Premier League. He’s having a banging 2017 so far, excelling in all three matches against Watford, Chelsea and West Brom.
Against Chelsea he was most impressive, keeping the likes of Nemanja Matic and N’Golo Kante very quiet in the middle of the park.
He’s a big-game performer and will be potentially Spurs’ most important player on Saturday evening. If he can impose himself on the City midfield then there could be no stopping the Tottenham attack.
AM: Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne has been the man that’s made Man City tick this season, a creative force like no other in light blue.
With an incredible 11 assist across the season already and a further two goals, it’s clear he’s been one of their most effective performers.
Those performances levels have dropped off a bit in recent weeks, which could be a big reason for City’s patchy form.
When he’s playing well, so are City. He hasn’t directly contributed to or scored a goal for over a month and Guardiola needs his main man back in top form if City are to get a result over their visitors on Saturday.
AM: Dele Alli
In contrast to De Bruyne, Dele Alli’s form right now could not be hotter. Across his last five Premier League fixtures he’s scored an incredible seven goals and contributed one assist.
His direct support of Harry Kane is paying dividends and at times looks like more a second striker than an attacking midfielder.
His natural finishing ability has been buoyed by a remarkable confidence and there’s nothing he can’t do right now. If Dele turns up in that kind of form, then Man City are in for a tough afternoon.
When Chelsea came calling to White Hart Lane, the English international ended their winning run all on his own with a double in a 2-0 win. That shows he can do it against the very best and he certainly won’t fear the trip to the Etihad Stadium – he’ll thrive on it.
AM: Christian Eriksen
When paired with Dele Alli, there might not be a better attacking midfield in the Premier League right now than Spurs’.
Eriksen has been simply unbeatable for the Lilywhites this term. He has five goals and six assists in his last 10 appearances for Spurs and his all-round game has arguably made him their best player this season.
He keeps the Spurs attack motoring, confident and assured in possession of the ball. With the likes of Dele Alli and Harry Kane running off him, he has able teammates who can anticipate his ability to thread beautiful passes.
Eriksen was the man who set-up both of Dele Alli’s goals against Chelsea and Spurs fans must be hopefully that partnership can do the same against City.
ST: Sergio Aguero
While Harry Kane has undoubtedly had a fine season, for us there’s only one option up front in this combined XI. Both strikers have scored 15 goals for their club this term but it’s Aguero’s all-round game and ability to produce a goal from nothing that sets him apart.
Kane has been aided by a wonderful Spurs attacking midfield and while there’s undoubted talent at City, they haven’t been quite as lethal in that area.
Aguero is a special talent, one of the best the Premier League has ever seen. In his four games since his red card incident, he’s scored two – and will be hoping to add to his tally on Saturday.