Why Manchester City’s Clash Against Spurs Is a Must-Win Moment
As the 2024/25 Premier League season unfolds, Manchester City face what feels like an early-season do-or-die moment against Tottenham Hotspur after the international break. With Liverpool sitting five points ahead and in scintillating form, Pep Guardiola‘s side must deliver a statement victory to stay in the title race.
City have proven their mettle as comeback kings in previous campaigns, chasing down Liverpool in 2019 and 2022, and Arsenal in 2024. But this season’s dynamics are different. The absence of Rodri, the midfield linchpin, has left the team vulnerable, amplifying the urgency to stay within striking distance of Jurgen Klopp’s high-flying Reds.
“A win against Tottenham could mean the world to this Manchester City side,” especially if Liverpool were to drop points against Southampton.
Tottenham’s Injury Woes
City might find an edge, as Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs are grappling with multiple absences. Recent reports suggest up to five key players could miss the clash at the Etihad Stadium:
- Rodrigo Bentancur: The midfielder has been handed a seven-match ban for racially insensitive comments towards teammate Son Heung-min, as confirmed by BBC Sport.
- Micky van de Ven: Sidelined with a hamstring issue sustained during Spurs’ Carabao Cup win over City, his return remains uncertain.
- Cristian Romero: The Argentine defender re-injured himself during international duty and is questionable for the weekend.
- Wilson Odobert: Spurs confirmed via X (formerly Twitter) that the young winger underwent hamstring surgery and faces a lengthy recovery.
- Richarlison: The Brazilian forward recently revealed on Instagram that he suffered a fresh injury after assisting Dominic Solanke’s goal against Aston Villa.
With such setbacks, Tottenham will be far from full strength, making it a golden opportunity for City to capitalize.
Bernardo Silva on City’s Fresh Start
Amid City’s own injury challenges, Bernardo Silva believes the international break came at an opportune moment. Reflecting on the squad’s recent struggles, Bernardo said:
“This break has been very beneficial for us. Let’s not deny it, it was a difficult time for our team. It had never happened to me in my career. At City, I can’t even remember losing two games in a row.”
He added,
“It’s done us good because there are players who will be back from injury, and we have fresh heads to get back to our maximum level at this stage of the season.”
Indeed, with only seven City players on international duty, Guardiola will hope for key stars like Kevin De Bruyne, Ruben Dias, and Manuel Akanji to recover and bolster the starting XI against Spurs.
A Chance to Reset
Despite a rocky patch of four successive defeats across all competitions, including a League Cup exit to Spurs and Premier League losses to Bournemouth and Brighton, City have a chance to bounce back. The game against Spurs could provide a much-needed reset.
If Guardiola can field a strong squad and exploit Tottenham’s depleted lineup, the reigning champions may not only close the gap on Liverpool but also regain momentum as they chase an unprecedented fifth consecutive Premier League title.
