The last man to stop Pep Guardiola winning is Slaven Bilic. I know, right? A lot has changed since then with the Croat getting the boot and being replaced by Big Sam Allardyce at West Bromwich Albion.
Did Jose think he’d need to try and be better than Bilic?
The draw on 15 December is the last time City failed to win, having since knocked off 15 successive victories. But, don’t forget, the last team to beat City were Mourinho’s Spurs so it could be possible, maybe?
Ah, yeah – Spurs are rubbish now. There’s always that.
How does the Sorare Review work in this situation? Well, you’d be crazy to bet against City winning this one – they are easing their way ahead in the Premier League whereas Spurs are too busy shipping FIVE to Everton in an FA Cup game and flogging merch based around a meaningless League Cup Final defeat to the Etihad masters!
Pep has just been crowned Premier League Manager of the Month and Ilkay Gundogan has been given the player crown – whereas Mourinho is hoping that Harry Kane’s ankles get through 90 minutes and that the City half has enough room for all 11 players.
Realistically, you can see City easing past Spurs – but this is also the kind of match Jose specialises in. He can sit in, ruin the game and hope that is rapier-like attack is on song. But, of course – City will ease past Spurs.
Those of you of a Fantasy Premier League persuasion will be scrambling to get Gundogan into your team but don’t forget the potential full-back bargains of Joao Cancelo or Zinchenko – two of the form players right now.
For Spurs, Lloris is likely to be busy so could be a good shout to bring in in goal and Davinson Sanchez seems to have played his way back into Mourinho’s thoughts – though being involved in a team that let in five midweek could see him out again, despite scoring twice.
Either way, a win for City sees them push towards their overall aim of getting their Premier League crown back – something you’d be daft to bet against.
Saturday 5.30pm Sky Sports Premier League
Venue Etihad Stadium
Last season Manchester City 2 Tottenham 2
Referee Paul Tierney
This season G14 Y52 R3 3.92 cards/game
Odds H 4-11 A 9-1 D 5-1
MANCHESTER CITY
Doubtful Agüero, Dias, Rodri (all match fitness)
Injured Aké (match fitness, unknown), Fernandinho (knock, unknown), De Bruyne (hamstring, Mar)
Suspended None
Discipline Y24 R0
Form WWWWWW
Leading scorer Gündogan 9
TOTTENHAM
Doubtful Aurier (knock), Bale (unknown)
Injured Reguilón (knock, 20 Feb), Lo Celso (hamstring, 28 Feb)
Suspended None
Discipline Y27 R1
Form DWLLLW
Leading scorer Kane 13
