A potential title-decider as Manchester City take on Tottenham

Manchester City need to beat Spurs if they still want to control their fate in the race for the Premier League title.
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City - Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City - Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round / Marc Atkins/GettyImages
facebooktwitterreddit

Manchester City are still in control of their own destiny in the race for the Premier League title. Though that could change depending on the result of their match against Tottenham on Tuesday.

With Arsenal beating Manchester United over the weekend, Manchester City need a win over Tottenham if they want to head into the last matchday needing only a win to crown themselves Premier League champions.

"It's obvious I would say. We have just one option, win the game. We will go from there," said Pep Guardiola during his pre-match press conference.

"I have a theory as a manger, what we have done yesterday is over. [From the last four Premier League games] 15 goals is fine and gives us the points to be here. It doesn't give you an extra thing tomorrow for when we start the game."

It will be a tricky game for City given how they've fared against Spurs since Guardiola took over. No matter their position in the table or how their form is entering the game, more often than not, Spurs always seem to be a thorn in City's side.

City and Tottenham have already faced each other twice this season, drawing 3-3 back in the league in December and then City picking up a narrow 1-0 win in the FA Cup.

"They are so aggressive, it doesn't matter what's happening, they were losing 4-0 in Anfield and they continued, continued, continued, to do the game plan and stick to what they believe," Guardiola said in reference to Spurs. "The difficulty is there. But at the same time we know what we are playing for. To give us a chance at home dependent on us. That's our mindset."

Undoubtedly, Arsenal will have a special interest in this match. In a bit of a turn of events, the Gunners will have to rely on their city rivals to do them a solid and take points off of City. But it's unlikely Spurs head into the match with that in mind. They simply want to win and won't roll over simply because a loss would hurt Arsenal.

"I understand rivalry," Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou said. "“I was part of one of the biggest ones in the world in the last couple of years with Celtic and Rangers, and I understand the rivalry. But I have never, and will never, understand if someone wants their own team to lose.

“That’s not what sport is about. It’s not what I love about the game. What I love more than anything in the game is the competitiveness, challenging yourself to beat someone and coming out successful."

Again, Spurs tend to make life difficult for Guardiola and his team but City have turned it up down the stretch and offensively have found their form while not solely having to rely on Erling Haaland to do the scoring.

manual

A win over Spurs could all but seal another Premier League title heading into the final weekend where they will face West Ham at the Etihad.