Ex-Tottenham midfielder and now BBC analyst Jermaine Jenas reckons this game could be the one where boss Pep Guardiola’s flawless league record falls.
Jenas opines: “Guardiola’s 100% winning record in the Premier League is obviously extremely impressive, but there have still been signs that City are vulnerable - and not just in Wednesday’s 3-3 draw at Celtic in the Champions League.
“City won at Swansea last weekend, but the Welsh side made it difficult for them and had spells where they were on top. I am expecting the same from Tottenham, but to a greater effect.
“City have the highest possession rate - 64% - in the Premier League this season, but I don’t think they will have more of the ball at White Hart Lane - and Tottenham will be dangerous whenever they come forward.
“Spurs are better known for having a mean defence than scoring freely. They conceded the fewest goals in the top flight last season and have done the same so far in this one - but they are not a defensive-minded team.”
There’s much more reasoning from Jenas via the link but all that remains for us to say is... we shall see!
With Sunday’s eye-catching clash in mind, Sky Sports are running an article titled ‘Who is the most exciting team in the Premier League so far this season?’
Charlotte Marsh writes: “Manchester City top the charts for goals with a huge 18 goals scored in six games.
“Pep Guardiola’s men have made a 100 per cent start to the season, and average three goals per game.
“Liverpool are the league’s second-most prolific side, just two goals behind. However, Liverpool have also scored the joint-most goals from outside the box, firing in the same number of screamers as Burnley.
“Arsenal are also a close third - with an average of 2.5 goals per game this far - with Manchester United (12), Chelsea and Tottenham (both 10) making up the top six - although Spurs are yet to score from outside the box this season.”
Over on the Associated Press website, City’s tactics are impressing correspondent Steve Douglas.
He reflects: “Manchester City’s risk-versus-reward approach under Pep Guardiola was summed up in one passage of play during a Champions League match against Celtic.
“With two opponents closing in, City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo coolly slid a pass between them to midfielder Fernandinho on the edge of the area. Pressured by two more hounding Celtic players, Fernandinho produced a Cruyff turn to create space for himself and burst upfield.
“Just like that, Celtic was opened up and City was launching another attack.
“Guardiola acknowledges his possession-based style is fraught with danger but it’s been getting results, with City making its best-ever start to a season in winning 10 straight games and scoring 30 goals in the process. It sparked talk of City winning the Premier League at a canter.”
And finally, the Manchester Evening News carry words from Guardiola on the task of juggling a series of big fixtures coming down the line.
James Robson reports: “Pep Guardiola insists he will not let the prospect of a return to Barcelona derail Manchester City’s 100 percent start to the Premier League season.
“Leaders City face second-placed Tottenham in an early summit meeting between two of the title favourites on Sunday.
“Guardiola saw his perfect start to the campaign come to an end in Wednesday’s frantic 3-3 draw with Celtic in the Champions League.
“He now faces a double-header against his former club Barca - with the first game coming up on October 19.
“The paper quotes Guardiola as saying: ‘We are going to recover well, focus on White Hart Lane and we have time to think about Barcelona.’”
More media talk here same time, same place tomorrow!
