(Football news) The Citizens are trying to avoid losing three straight top-flight games for the first time since 2017, while Spurs are looking to snap a three-match dry spell. The defending champions, Manchester City, gave up their top status in the Premier League to Arsenal after three weeks at the top. They had drawn both of their previous two league games together, with Chelsea and Liverpool.
After Trent Alexander-Arnold’s gorgeous strike 10 minutes from time to help Liverpool salvage a 1-1 draw last weekend, the Citizens’ 23-game winning streak at the Etihad is now over. However, Pep Guardiola’s team responded just three days later in the Champions League.
In fact, Man City had to work hard to earn all three points in their home match against RB Leipzig on Tuesday as they trailed by two goals at the half. However, after the break, goals from Haaland, Phil Foden, and Julian Alvarez turned the tide of the match and guaranteed the holders top spot in Group G with one game remaining.
Although Guardiola will be concerned by his team’s performance, they have won 11 of the last 15 games in which they have given up, demonstrating how much they have depended on their outstanding goal-scoring ability. This season, they have only kept five clean sheets in 20 games across all competitions.
Man City, who defeated Tottenham 4-2 at home last season after coming back from two goals down at halftime, cannot afford to let their usual high standards slip in their next two Premier League games against Spurs and high-flying Aston Villa if they hope to stay in close proximity to new leaders Arsenal. Arsenal are currently one point ahead of the Citizens in second place and are gearing up for two favorable matches against Wolves and Luton Town.
Only Liverpool (also 19) has scored as many goals against the Citizens since Guardiola took over in 2016. Man City has lost more games (six) against Tottenham than to any other opponent during this time, giving up 19 goals in the process. Man City has won nine, drawn two, and lost just two of their previous 13 league encounters with the Lilywhites at the Etihad, so their home record against Spurs is encouraging ahead of Sunday’s match.
Also read: Manchester United will play Newcastle United in Premier League
