18:09 The scene is set at the Etihad Stadium! 18:07 Spurs will be looking to pull off a shock upset Tottenham are looking to win consecutive away league games for the first time this season. Spurs have lost all four of their Premier League matches this campaign against teams currently above them in the table. 18:06 City need to bounce back Manchester City could go three successive home league games without a win for just the second time under Pep Guardiola, previously doing so in 2016.
FormThey are still just about in the title race, but last week was one to forget for second-placed City: three days before their Manchester derby defeat, they were dumped out of the Carabao Cup in the quarter-finals by Southampton. Guardiola's side have won seven out of nine home league games this season – although they've failed to win either of the last two, losing 2-1 to Brentford and drawing 1-1 with Everton. Spurs haven't fared any better since the World Cup, though, winning two, drawing one and losing two of their five games in all competitions.
Erling Haaland: does he make City worse? In a word: no. Nobody who has scored 27 goals in 24 matches can be detrimental to any team. Speaking to elite coaches from across Europe this week, they are all of the same mind on that. A couple of them laughed. CLICK BELOW FOR THE FULL STORY: Since Manchester City's weekend defeat at Old Trafford, the focus on the blunting of their collective edge has been laid squarely on the sharpest tool at their disposal - Erling Haaland. 18:14 Pep Guardiola takes the blame for Manchester City's shaky run of form - after falling eight points behind Arsenal in the title race ahead of clash with Tottenham JACK GAUGHAN: Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is shouldering the blame for his side's stuttering form after they fell eight points behind Arsenal in the Premier League title race.
They've conceded two goals in three of their four Premier League matches during that time – the exception being a 4-0 victory at Crystal Palace last time out on the road. RefereeSimon Hooper will be the referee for Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur. StadiumManchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur will be played at the 53, 400-capacity Etihad Stadium in Manchester. Kick-off and channelManchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur kick-off is at 8pm GMT on Thursday 19 January in the UK. The game is being shown on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League (opens in new tab).
18:47 Tottenham have arrived at the Etihad! 18:40 Team news to come in around 25 minutes Team news is expected in around 25 minutes, but the scene is set for this Premier League clash between Manchester City and Tottenham. City can reduce the lead that Arsenal have in the title race, while Spurs look to get themselves back into the top four. 18:30 De Bruyne back in contention for City Kevin De Bruyne is back in contention for Manchester City this evening following a personal issue while both Ruben Dias and John Stones have returned to training and should be available for selection. For Tottenham, Rodrigo Bentancur could potentially return after recovering from an injury sustained during the World Cup.
Brazilian forward Richarlison will be hoping to start after impressive off the bench in their defeat in the North London derby on the weekend. Lucas Moura is expected to miss out for Spurs once again. 18:23 It seems unthinkable - but should Man City DROP Haaland? There is a slight absurdity to the big questions surrounding Manchester City at the moment. Since the weekend defeat at Old Trafford, the focus on the blunting of their collective edge has been laid squarely on the sharpest tool at their disposal.
City's hopes of retaining the Premier League title took a big dent as they controversially lost 2-1 away to Manchester United on Saturday, suffering defeat after leading a league game for the first time since the final day of the 2020/21 season. Spurs, meanwhile, were outclassed as they went down 2-0 at home to Arsenal (who extended their lead over City to eight points) – but they have won four of their last five Premier League encounters with City, most recently edging a 3-2 thriller at the Etihad last February. Kick-off is at 8pm GMT. Make sure you know how to watch the Premier League (opens in new tab) wherever you are. Team newsPep Guardiola and Conte will have almost fully fit squads at their disposal for this one. City have two players sidelined through injury: centre-backs Ruben Dias and John Stones. As for Spurs, forward Lucas Moura remains sidelined, while midfield maestro Rodrigo Bentancur is doubtful after missing the North London derby.