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Manchester City vs. Tottenham Hotspur: Combined XI

By Scott Stewart

Jul 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane (18) celebrates after scoring against the MLS All Stars during the first half of the 2015 MLS All Star Game at Dick
Jul 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane (18) celebrates after scoring against the MLS All Stars during the first half of the 2015 MLS All Star Game at Dick /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 02: Nicolas Otamendi of Manchester City (L) and Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur (R) battle for possession during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at White Hart Lane on October 2, 2016, in London, England. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 02: Nicolas Otamendi of Manchester City (L) and Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur (R) battle for possession during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at White Hart Lane on October 2, 2016, in London, England. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images) /

CB: Toby Alderweireld vs. Nicolas Otamendi

A contest that was also difficult to judge due to the Tottenham man’s series of nicks and knocks that kept him out for a few weeks, the battle between Toby Alderweireld and Nicolas Otamendi was a tight one. Alderweireld has appeared in 13 Premier League contests compared to 17 for Otamendi, and the numbers show Otamendi has improved drastically in a return to form. Completing 86%

Completing 86% of his passes, the Manchester City defender has won over 58% of his total duels, recorded 52 (!) interceptions, and won 33 tackles while making just a single defensive error. Though he was considered shaky once the Citizens lost their 100% record, the Argentinian has impressed in recent fixtures.

Alderweireld’s numbers are close in pass completion (85%), but he has won just over 50% of his total duels, recorded just 12 interceptions and won just 14 tackles in only four fewer games. While Alderweireld has a more reliable partner in Jan Vertonghen compared to Otamendi with Stones in a back four, his output should still be at least slightly higher.

All things considered, between these two it’s Nicolas Otamendi getting the nod.

Selection: Nicolas Otamendi

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