It was an instant classic, one of the best football games we’ve ever seen, and the good news is the two teams will do it again the day after tomorrow. Tottenham Hotspur fell 4-3 at Manchester City last night, but rode the three away goals, plus VAR overturning a potential injury time “quarterfinal tie winning” goal to move on to the UCL semi-finals, 4-4 on aggregate.
It was a thriller that left even neutrals breathless, and it will be the same two teams at the same venue on Saturday, different competition, as Spurs vs City leads off the Premier League weekend.
Tottenham forward Son Heung-min, whose two scoring strikes were part of a four goal flurry within the first 11 minutes, said it was a crazy match that was unlike anything he has ever seen before.
“I have never seen something like this. It was tough and crazy but we are very proud of our teammates. It was madness,” Son said.
“Sometimes you are annoyed with VAR but today it is thank you. We fought together for 90 minutes. We showed unbelievable character and fight.”
Let’s now look ahead to the rematch, and go over the fitness situation for both sides, starting with the hosts. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola no longer has quadruple hopes and aspirations, but he does have a near fully fit squad for this clash.
Promising young full-back Oleksandr Zinchenko is the only doubt for his side, as he nears a return from a hamstring issue while back-up goalie Claudio Bravo remains a long term injury absentee.
For Spurs, midfielder Moussa Sissoko hobbled off last night due to a groin strain. He is out for this match, and could be out for the remainder of the season, just like superstar striker Harry Kane, who went down in the first leg of this tie.
Serge Aurier is out (hamstring) as is Eric Dier, who has spent most of his nightmarish season battling through various injuries and ailments.
A troubled hip flexor is his latest issue to grapple with, and you just can’t help but really feel for the guy right now.
Wing Erik Lamela and midfielder Harry Winks are both slight doubts, due to less than serious muscular issues.
Tottenham Hotspur at Manchester City Premier League FYIs
Kickoff- Saturday Apr 20, City of Manchester Stadium 12:30 pm
Starting XI Predictions- Tottenham Hotspur Manchester City
Odds via Bet365- Manchester City win 2/7, Draw 5/1, Tottenham 10/1
Prediction: Man City 2, Tottenham 2
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.