This week brings not one, but two Tottenham Hotspur at Manchester City clashes, and the first, the second leg of a UEFA Champions League quarterfinal tie, arrives Wednesday night. The second match-up is a Premier League fixture on Saturday.
Spurs will come into Manchester up 1-0 on aggregate, thanks to a late goal from Heung min-Son. Let’s take a look at the fitness situation for both sides, starting with the visitors.
Harry Winks is a doubt, due to a groin injury, with Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino offering the following outlook on his participation: “He was training yesterday and in the middle of the training, he started to feel his groin. We must assess tomorrow. It’s not a big issue, but it’s an issue where he might not be able to play on Wednesday. We are optimistic but we will see.”
Meanwhile Dele Alli fractured his left hand during the first leg, but he could be in contention for this one after sitting out Saturday’s 4-0 blowout over Huddersfield Town. He might play with a protective cast on his hand, but Pochettino held his cards close to the vest on this question.
“We’ll see, he’s not sure,” Poch responded when asked about the availability of his star midfielder. “He is doing some training sessions with protection. He needs to feel comfortable.”
“It’s about if there’s pain – it depends on the time. Today, it’s difficult to know.”
Star striker Harry Kane is ruled out for the rest of the season, but there are hopes he could return to action for England in the UEFA Nations League.
His replacement, Fernando Llorente, suffered a knock against the Terriers on the weekend and is regarded, at least right now as a bit of a doubt for the match.
In other words, Pochettino could have a real selection headache in the final third. Shifting over to the Citizens, Bernardo Silva is now back, after having missed the leg and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Silva saw action in the second half of yesterday’s win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Finally, central midfielder Fernandinho faces a late fitness test, after having missed the weekend win in London due to a muscular injury.
Tottenham Hotspur at Manchester City UEFA Champions League Quarter-final Leg 2/2 FYIs
Kickoff- Wednesday Apr 17, City of Manchester Stadium 8pm (Tottenham up 1-0 on aggregate)
Google Result Probability- Manchester City win 71% Draw 19% Tottenham Hotspur win 10%
Starting XI Predictions- Tottenham Hotspur Manchester City
Preview press conference video and quotes- go to this link
Odds to qualify for the semifinal, via Betfair- Manchester City win 4/7, Tottenham 11/8
Prediction: Man City 3, Tottenham 1 (aggregate Manchester City 3-2)
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.