UEFA Champions League
Tottenham vs Manchester City Preview
- Date: Apr. 9, 2019
- Time: 3:00 p.m. (est)
- Network: TNT, Galavision
- Location: London, England
- Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
- Seating Capacity: 62,062
Better late than never as Tottenham Hotspur Stadium finally opens its doors to the Champions League.
In a battle of Premier League clubs, Tottenham plays host to Manchester City in the quaterfinals.
This is the first time the Spurs reach the semifinals since 2011 after a 4-1 aggregate win over Borussia Dortmund.
Meanwhile, City eased past Schalke in a 7-0 trashing of the German side.
City have won 61 over 60 of the Spurs in 156 occasions in all competitions. Additionally, the have ended in a draw in 35 of those 156 occasions.
However, this is the first time they meet in European competition.
The Citizens have taken a win in 11 of their last 18 meetings while drawing twice since 2010.
Team News
Pep Guardiola will be without Oleksandr Zinchenko and Fabian Delph for their trip to London. Despite a great outing from Benjamin Mendy, Aymeric Laporte may win over for another start. It is also likely that Sergio Aguero beats out Gabriel Jesus as the Argentinian still remains doubtful.
Meanwhile, Mauricio Pochettino will be without Eric Dier, Serge Aurier and Erik Lamela. Fernando Llorente remains doubtful for the Spurs.
Predicted Lineups
Tottenham XI: Lloris; Vertonghen, Sanchez, Alderweireld; Rose, Eriksen, Winks, Sissoko, Trippier; Alli, Kane.
Manchester City XI: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Otamendi, Laporte; De Bruyne, Fernandinho, B. Silva; D. Silva, Aguero, Sterling.
Prediction
Though City have lost each of their four games against English opponents in European competition, they remain heavy favorites against Tottenham. However, City continues to fight all fronts and closer than ever to a quadruple title race.
The opposite is true for Tottenham. The Spurs have been on an unlucky run this season after coming short in home competitions. Their only hope to salvage the season is staying in the top four in Premier League and reaching the finals in Champions League.
A draw at home will keep Tottenham’s hopes against all odds. However, they will need to prepare mentally to break through a City side that while is strong in all lines, their four competition hopes may drain players mentally and physically.
Prediction: Tottenham 1 – 1 Manchester City
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