Tottenham, or pardon the language, Tottenham Hotspur, sit in a measly twelfth ahead of their third match against Manchester City this campaign.
Yet the four-time-consecutive Premier League Champions prepare themselves for a visit to London without a win against Spurs so far this season.
It was a 4-0 condemning in November during the early miserable period, but a month earlier, the Lilywhites knocked Pep Guardiola's side out of the Carabao Cup.
The only domestic hope is a top-four finish after Liverpool routinely dispatched two at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
But a win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium could easily encourage a group of players who have only succeeded once since the stadium opened in 2019: in a decisive title-deciding match in the penultimate game of last season.
Ahead of tomorrow's encounter, Pep Guardiola delivered ever-astute praise of his counterpart Ange Postecoglou and his side.
“They are a fantastic team, [they have] always had individual quality," said the Man City head coach.
"The rhythm they play, the intensity, incredible runners, transitions but I've seen lately that they pause and have done more passes in the final third, especially when Maddison plays.
"Results dictate one thing but my opinion of the team is completely opposite.”
Erling Haaland has been missing since his no-show from the bench in the second leg against Real Madrid.
His absence has been felt up top, with Manchester City lacking physicality and goals in the final third.
Reports suggested the Norweigan would be available for tomorrow, but his Catalan manager failed to confirm.
Guardiola said on Haaland: "Tonight we will know after training. I hope [he will be fit] but I don’t know yet. He feels better but in the last two games, he could not play. We’ll see tomorrow."
Impact of new signings
While the trajectory of results has not drastically improved, the plethora of business Manchester City completed in January has rejuvenated the team in certain aspects.
Their results against Real Madrid and Liverpool should not be judged; that is asking too much of an underwhelming team.
Instead, the performances against Newcastle and Chelsea should be fondly looked upon, a sign that the new signings can be impactful and impose their quality against physical opposition.
When asked about how well the new faces are settling in, the Manchester City boss was more than pleased.
“Really good for the short time since they’ve been training," said Guardiola.
"Khusanov arrived and played vs Chelsea, Newcastle, Real Madrid, and Liverpool. Tough and difficult schedules from where he comes from.
For the lack of communication, [he] still cant speak fluent English. Omar [played instantly] as well, Nico a bit less but very happy [with them]," he added.