The Premier League’s two pacesetters meet in a crunch match at White Hart Lane on Sunday.
Tottenham’s Hugo Lloris
With first set to take on second in the Premier League this weekend, we have put together a starting eleven made up of the best players expected to feature for Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. Check out the lineup below and feel free to post your ideas for the side in the comments section.
GK: Hugo Lloris
It is hard to go with Claudio Bravo after his poor Manchester City debut against Manchester United, even though he is likely to end up a good goalkeeper for the Citizens. But really, this decision is all about the performances of Lloris over the last few seasons – arguably, only David de Gea has come close to the Frenchman in the Premier League.
Defence: Kyle Walker, Toby Alderweireld, John Stones, Danny Rose
It actually takes a little bit of generosity to bring John Stones into this Tottenham-centric back four. But the England defender has been impressive since moving to the Etihad, and would just edge out Jan Vertonghen and teammate Nicolas Otamendi to stop Spurs making a clean sweep in defence.
Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld gestures
Kyle Walker and Toby Alderweireld have arguably been the best players in the league so far this season in their positions, while Danny Rose, who may return in place of Ben Davies, was also excellent before his injury.
Both sides boast strong goals against stats, but it is the North Londoners who lead the league with just three goals conceded, while several of City’s players struggled against Celtic on Wednesday.
Midfield: Eric Dier, Fernandinho, Raheem Sterling, David Silva, Heung-Min Son
Things are much more competitive in midfield however, where Manchester City have spent plenty of money over the last few years. Spurs also have a wide array of talent to choose from. South Korean Heung-Min Son edges out fellow Tottenham attacking midfielders Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli due to his stunning recent form, and he is joined by Raheem Sterling who has been similarly impressive this season.
Tottenham’s Son Heung-min celebrates
In central midfield, Eric Dier looks like he could return to the Spurs side, and would take a spot ahead of Mousa Dembele with the Belgian less likely to be fit. The 22-year-old would feature alongside Brazilian Fernandinho, who has been a key man for Pep Guardiola’s side. City’s wonderful Spanish playmaker David Silva takes the last spot.
Attack: Sergio Aguero
This position would have been much more interesting to debate if Harry Kane would have been available for Tottenham, or then again, given the Argentine’s stunning form for City so far this season, how could it be anyone but Aguero up front? 11 goals in seven matches is astonishing, and if he keeps that up the striker could finally be discussed in the same breath as compatriot Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Frighteningly for Spurs, he also has some record against the North Londoners, even if he failed to find the net against them last season.
Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero celebrates scoring
What do you think of the lineup? What XI would you put together?
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