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When the Premier League fixtures were announced last July, few would have forecast that this February match up in North London would have pitted 12th placed Tottenham Hotspur against 4th placed Manchester City. But it’s a sign of the struggles both teams have faced this season that they find themselves well short of their preseason targets, and in City’s case a massive 20 points off their customary top spot.

Pep Guardiola’s side had been showing signs of recovery, at least domestically anyway, with three wins in their last four in the league prior to Sunday’s meeting with Liverpool. But a disappointing 2-0 home defeat to the Merseysiders has left the defending champions in the gloom once again. It was a different story for Spurs who ran out comfortable 4-1 winners away at relegation threatened Ipswich Town, but Ange Postecoglou’s team are only now turning the corner after a woeful end to 2024.

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One of the highlights of Tottenham’s below par season to date was a 4-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium against Manchester City back in November. It proved to be a bit of a false storm, with the Lilywhites winning just one of their next 11 Premier League games, but served to demonstrate what they are capable of when they play at their best. Spurs fans will be hoping they can find that form again on Wednesday and complete a memorable league double.

Tottenham recorded a 2-1 home win against City in the Carabao Cup last October and sportsbook CopyBet has another home win at 23/10. But it’s worth noting that Manchester City won twice at Spurs last season, in the league and the FA Cup, and they are favourites going into this one at 10/11. The draw is listed at 16/5 but there hasn’t actually been one between these two sides in north London in 16 meetings, stretching all the way back to 2010.

Erling Haaland was the difference between the two sides in this fixture last season, scoring both goals in City’s 2-0 win. The Norwegian missed Sunday’s defeat to Liverpool through injury but is expected to be fit for this one and he’s 10/3 to be first goal scorer. For Spurs, Brennan Johnson made a long awaited return to the first team at the weekend following a spell out injured, and the former Nottingham Forest man bagged a brace against Ipswich to take himself to 14 in all competitions this season. He’s 5/2 to add to that tally on Wednesday night.

It promises to be another entertaining clash between two sides who like to play on the front foot and if you think you can predict who will come out on top then get involved in CopyBet’s latest Free bet competition by submitting your guess on their social channels. Those that correctly predict the outcome will be entered into a draw from which one winner will receive a £50 free bet.

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Manchester City find themselves in a race against time as they prepare for a crucial midweek clash against Tottenham Hotspur, with the availability of Erling Haaland still uncertain. The Norwegian striker has been nursing a knee injury since February 15, missing both the Real Madrid fixture and the 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Anfield.

Pep Guardiola remains in the dark over Haaland’s condition, with the prolific forward yet to fully recover despite scans showing no significant damage.

“I don’t know,” Guardiola admitted post-Liverpool. “I would like to know, but I don’t know. His knee – the moment against Newcastle moved the knee. Apparently, he’s not injured because the scans dictate that he’s fine, but he didn’t feel fine.

Haaland trained on Monday, showing flashes of sharpness, but remains hesitant about his readiness. “I have the feeling it will be soon because he trained yesterday and made some really good movements, but he said he was not ready and we have to respect that. Hopefully, he can be back for Spurs and the next games to help us.”

Without Haaland, City struggled for attacking fluency at Anfield, with Phil Foden deployed as a false nine but failing to impose himself on the game. Guardiola may consider a more traditional centre-forward approach, with Omar Marmoush emerging as an option.

Midfield adjustments could also be on the cards. Kevin De Bruyne had a subdued performance against Liverpool and may be rotated, with Bernardo Silva or Ilkay Gundogan available to step in. Meanwhile, Ruben Dias, who featured as a substitute at Anfield, is likely to start in north London, potentially at the expense of Abdukodir Khusanov.

City’s injury problems extend beyond Haaland. John Stones is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a thigh injury that may require surgery, while Manuel Akanji is already ruled out for two months following an operation. Rodri is another absentee, leaving Guardiola with fewer options in key areas as the title race intensifies.

📅 Date & Time: Wednesday, February 26 – 7:30 PM GMT🏟 Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium📺 TV & Live Stream: TNT Sports

As City battle injury setbacks, all eyes remain on Haaland’s recovery. His return could be the boost Guardiola’s side needs, but his absence would leave them vulnerable in a crucial phase of the campaign.

As Tottenham Hotspur navigates through a turbulent season, the light at the end of the tunnel grows increasingly bright with key players making their way back to the pitch. This timely boost in squad health could not come at a more critical juncture, especially with a significant Premier League clash against Manchester City looming and Europa League aspirations hanging in the balance.

Tottenham’s campaign has been heavily marred by injuries, threatening to derail their season with a potential slide towards the relegation zone. The team’s struggle has been palpable, with exits from domestic cups adding pressure on manager Ange Postecoglou. Yet, in the face of adversity, Spurs have managed to claw back, stringing together three consecutive top-flight victories, including a commanding 4-1 victory over Ipswich Town. This recent upturn in form is a testament to the squad’s depth and resilience, hinting at a promising phase of recovery and tactical stability.

One of the most eagerly awaited comebacks is that of Dominic Solanke. The striker’s absence has been sorely felt since his injury in the north London derby against Arsenal on January 15. Initially sidelined with a knee issue expected to last around six weeks, Solanke’s potential return could coincide with crucial matches in early March, including the Europa League tie against AZ Alkmaar and a Premier League fixture against Bournemouth. His return will undoubtedly bolster Tottenham’s attacking options, adding a fresh dynamic to their offensive endeavours.

Cristian Romero’s role as a central figure in Tottenham’s defence cannot be overstated. Since suffering setbacks that have kept him out of regular play since early December, the anticipation around his return has been building. With a new scan on the horizon, the club remains hopeful that Romero’s recovery aligns with pivotal Europa League fixtures, restoring strength to a backline that has shown vulnerability in his absence.

As the team prepares to host Manchester City, the return of several key figures like Micky van de Ven and potentially Cristian Romero and Dominic Solanke in subsequent matches offers a significant morale boost. Postecoglou’s cautious approach to player health emphasises the importance of sustainable recovery, focusing not just on immediate returns but on long-term fitness and readiness.

The upcoming Europa League matches and Premier League encounters present a critical opportunity for Tottenham to solidify their standing and push towards European qualifications. The integration of returning players will be crucial in achieving these objectives, as Spurs aim to transition from recovery to resurgence.

As Tottenham Hotspur continues to navigate through this challenging season, the blend of returning talent and strategic management will be key to their success on both domestic and European fronts. The coming weeks will be pivotal in defining the trajectory of their season, making every match and every return a significant step towards fulfilling their ambitions.

After crashing out of the Champions League, Manchester City went on to lose against Liverpool in the Premier League. Their next clash is with Tottenham Hotspur in an away package this week, which they would like to win to keep themselves in the top four.

The Citizens need to work hard to regain their lost confidence and gameplay. It will be a good test for them to evaluate where they actually stand. A win will surely give them a bit of a boost ahead of their fifth-round game in the FA Cup.

Defence

Ederson continues to be the primary goalkeeper for the Citizens but his recent performances have raised questions about his decline. Rico Lewis also might find himself a bit lucky to operate as the right-back once again.

Abdukodir Khusanov is likely to continue at the heart of the defence but Ruben Dias will surely return at the cost of Nathan Ake. Left-back Josko Gvardiol had an off day against the Reds and will look to redeem himself this week.

MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 09: Ederson of Manchester City warms up prior to the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg match between Real Madrid CF and Manchester City at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 09, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Midfield

Pep Guardiola is expected to bring Mateo Kovacic into the midfield to pair him up with Nico Gonzalez. Both the midfielders will have the massive task of controlling the tempo of the game and winning the ball back.

Attack

Savinho is likely to get the nod for the right flank role once again but Kevin de Bruyne should be on the bench. Fresh Bernardo Silva could be brought in place of the Belgian while Jeremy Doku retains his place in the starting XI.

There’s no guarantee that Erling Haaland will be available for this match and Omar Marmoush might be used as the striker yet again.

Rodri (ACL), Oscar Bobb (ankle), Manuel Akanji (abductor) and John Stones (thigh) are all unavailable for this fixture.

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Tottenham Outclass Ipswich in Commanding Premier League Win

Spurs’ Attacking Brilliance Continues

Tottenham Hotspur extended their fine run of form with a dominant 4-1 victory over Ipswich Town at Portman Road. Despite an early scare, where Liam Delap struck the bar and a goalmouth scramble tested Spurs’ resilience, the visitors quickly asserted their control.

Brennan Johnson set the tone with the opener in the 18th minute, a simple finish following an exquisite long ball from Archie Gray and a composed cut-back from Son Heung-min. Moments later, Johnson doubled his tally, this time profiting from Son’s relentless pace as the South Korean breezed past Ben Godfrey before setting up the winger for an easy finish.

Photo: IMAGO

Ipswich, despite defensive frailties, showed attacking intent. Omari Hutchinson halved the deficit with a superb strike ten minutes before the break, igniting hopes of a fightback from Kieran McKenna’s side.

Spurs Shut Down Ipswich’s Comeback Hopes

Ipswich thought they had found an equaliser when substitute Luke Woolfenden found the net, but the goal was correctly ruled out for offside. Tottenham responded clinically, sealing victory with two late strikes.

Djed Spence, impressive throughout, fired home via a deflection off Woolfenden to put the contest beyond Ipswich. In stoppage time, Dejan Kulusevski capped off a swift counter-attack with a sublime curling finish, underlining Spurs’ superiority and securing back-to-back wins.

Photo: IMAGO

Player Ratings

Ipswich

Substitutes:

Tottenham

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Later on this afternoon, Tottenham Hotspur will be taking to the field in East Anglia, as they take on newly promoted Ipswich Town at Portman Road, for match day 26 of the current Premier League season.

How both teams line up at Portman Road in the Premier League this afternoon

For the task at hand, Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou has opted for a line up of; Vicario; Spence, Danso, Gray, Udogie; Kulusevski, Bentancur, Bergvall; Johnson, Tel, Son.

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Meanwhile, the bench consists of; Kinsky, Porro, Reguilon, Bissouma, Sarr, Maddison, Moore, Odobert, Scarlett.

Fans, including us, have been hoping to see a full back pairing of Spence and Udogie at some point. It is clear that Porro has been overplayed, and is in need of some rest. We have seen how good Spence has been out of position, so you would hope he will really be able to thrive in his actual position here.

It's also exciting to see a front three of Johnson, Tel, and Son - with Kulusevski creating for them behind. Just got to hope that there will be enough space for them to thrive. If not, the Sweden international will certainly be tasked with trying to pierce Ipswich open.

Having Odobert and Moore on the bench feels like really good depth too, as well as Scarlett, whom has scored in Europe this season. All of a sudden the squad is beginning to look good again. Feels harsh on Maddison, given his goal and performance last week - but perhaps it is just to manage his minutes after returning from an injury.

Meanwhile, Kieran McKenna has opted for a line up of; Palmer; Godfrey, O'Shea, Greaves, Davis; Phillips, Cajuste; Philogene, Hutchinson, Clarke, Delap.

Whilst the bench contains; Muric, Woolfenden, Townsend, Johson, Morsy, Taylor, Szmodics, Broadhead, and Hirst.

Fans will remember Spurs signing Clarke back in the summer of 2019 from Leeds United, though he was sold to Sunderland in the summer of 2022, having never made a first team appearance for the club. So we all know what is happening today.

Meanwhile, Spurs linked Delap leads the line. He scored in the reverse fixture back in November - whilst other goalscorer Szmodics, is fit enough for the bench, having missed their previous game with an injury.

This is a big opportunity for Spurs to make it three wins in a row, for the first time in the Premier League this season. Let's not have another "Spursy" game like in the humiliating reverse fixture at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

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