The UEFA Champions League final four is now set with Ajax and Tottenham Hotspur meeting in a semifinal tie that features the tournament’s two underdogs. The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium leg is April 30 while the reverse fixture, at Amsterdam Arena, is May 7.
The manner in which Spurs advanced that far is the real story though. The north London side won an instant classic of a game, a second leg of their quarterfinal UCL tie with Manchester City, in a manner that we’ll never forget. And they did it all without injured leading scorer Harry Kane.
“That is why we love football. Today we showed great character and great personality, it was an unbelievable game,” said Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino.
“It was unbelievable — the way it finished. I am so happy, so proud. My players are heroes to be here. I am so happy for them, so happy for the fans.”
Now comes the rematch, just three days later, same teams, same place, different stakes. Let’s take a look at who Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino may select in his first team for this one.
Tottenham Hotspur Starting XI Prediction vs Manchester City (Premier League)
Attack: Lucas Moura, Son Heung-Min
Midfield: Victor Wanyama, Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen
Defense: Danny Rose, Davinson Sanchez, Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld, Kieran Trippier
Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris
Tottenham Hotspur at Manchester City Premier League FYIs
Kickoff- Saturday Apr 20, City of Manchester Stadium 12:30 pm
Injury report for both sides: go to this link
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.