A more in-depth have a look at the facet we’ll face this coming Sunday…
We face Tottenham Hotspur in north London at 16:30 (UK) on Sunday 1 February.
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After our first league win of 2026 in our final Premier League outing, we’ll be trying to construct on that success and hold tabs on Arsenal on the prime of the desk.
With the assistance of Opta knowledge, we discover out what to anticipate from our hosts.
Current type
Spurs are winless of their final 5 Premier League matches – drawing three and dropping two. It’s their fourth run of 5 or extra winless video games within the final two seasons.
They solely had 4 runs of 5 or extra winless video games throughout their earlier 12 seasons mixed from 2012/13 to 2023/24.
They’re 14th within the Premier League, with 28 factors from 23 outings.
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Most well-liked formation
Spurs have typically favoured a 4-2-3-1 however performed a 3-4-3 of their most up-to-date Premier League outing.
Guglielmo Vicario is the primary in objective, with Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero regulars on the coronary heart of the defence.
Any mixture of Djed Spence, Future Udogie and Pedro Porro can characteristic at full-back, whereas there are a plethora of choices in midfield together with new signing Conor Gallagher, Joao Palhinha, Archie Grey, Yves Bissouma and others.
Forward of them, Xavi Simons has been used typically in his first season in England whereas the likes of Wilson Odobert and Mathys Tel have a tendency to assist help Randal Kolo Muani and Dominic Solanke up prime.
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They’re struggling a couple of important accidents in attacking midfield areas, with James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Mohammed Kudus.
Supervisor
Thomas Frank was the Premier League’s second longest serving supervisor behind solely Pep Guardiola earlier than leaving Brentford final summer time.
The 52-year-old Dane had established the Bees within the Premier League after taking them to promotion.
He’s discovered life somewhat more durable at Spurs domestically, profitable simply 4 of his final 22 Premier League dwelling video games. Regardless of that, he guided them into the highest eight of the Champions League league part.
In complete within the Premier League, he’s received 61 of 175 matches in cost, scoring 261 objectives and conceding 255.
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Head-to-head report
After a future of inauspicious journeys to Spurs, we’ve received our final two away league journeys there.
Actually, 14 of Spurs’ final 15 objectives towards us have come on the Etihad somewhat than the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
With eight defeats, Pep Guardiola has misplaced extra league video games towards Spurs than every other opponent in his managerial profession.
Spurs have received 30 of the 57 conferences within the Premier League period, with Metropolis victorious 19 instances.
In our aggressive histories, the 2 sides are neck and neck with 69 wins every and 37 attracts.
How they assault
Spurs are the league’s excellent facet when it comes to outperforming their xG. Their 33 objectives have come from an xG of simply 24 – a nine-goal distinction.
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That would maybe be partly defined by their lack of photographs, with their 253 solely the 14th most within the division.
With 10 headed objectives, they’re the division’s most threatening facet aerially. That may be a key a part of their league main menace from corners, scoring 12 instances through meaning up to now.
In the meantime, with 13 totally different scorers, solely Brighton can higher the expectation of objectives from everywhere in the pitch.
With 425 passes per match and a median possession of 51.6%, they’re not significantly targeted on maintaining the ball however they’re not fairly as direct as Frank’s Brentford sides have been recognized to be.
Richarlison is their prime scorer with seven, whereas centre-backs Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero are subsequent with 4 every.
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How they defend
In opposition to their attacking numbers, Spurs are conceding objectives largely on the fee you’d count on when judging by xG.
Their 31 objectives let in up to now is the ninth greatest defence within the division and from an xG of 31.3, that means that they’re conceding about as typically as you’d count on for the standard of probabilities they’re permitting.
Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario could be very a lot center of the pack throughout the Premier League in terms of save share, with 65.6% of photographs on his objective being stopped.
As with their menace offensively from set items, they’re additionally adept at maintaining them out. Their six objectives let in from useless balls is the second greatest within the division, solely behind Arsenal.
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It will likely be value maintaining a tally of Spurs’ yellow card depend, as with 58 up to now they’re the joint most cautioned staff throughout the league alongside Brighton.
Metropolis v Newcastle Second leg tickets obtainable!
See the conclusion of what guarantees to be an exhilarating closing 4 tie on the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday 4 February.
Newcastle are the holders of the Carabao Cup and might be decided to carry on to their crown, whereas Metropolis are looking for a ninth success in League Cup historical past.
Tickets begin from £20 for adults and £10 for concessions, whereas a variety of ranging from £250 are additionally on supply to make it an important day!
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*On sale to Season Ticket Members and current Cityzens Matchday and Junior Members (as of Tue 16 Dec 2025) who’ve bought 1+ dwelling fixtures on the Etihad Stadium. 4 tickets per particular person.