Tottenham vs. Manchester City
- What: Uefa Champions League quarter-final first leg
- When: Tuesday 9 April
- Where: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
- Kick-off time: 8pm
- TV channel and live stream: BT Sport 2 and sport.bt.com
- Radio coverage: BBC Radio 5 live
An all-English tie features in the Uefa Champions League last eight as Tottenham Hotspur take on Premier League champions Manchester City.
The quarter-final first leg will be played at the £1bn new Spurs stadium and for manager Mauricio Pochettino he admits that the clash is one of his “most important matches as a coach”, the BBC reports.
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Speaking to BT Sport ahead of Tuesday’s encounter, the Argentine said: “I think it’s going to be a very tough game. City are one of the best teams in Europe, and in England. We’ll start the game very aggressively. We want to be aggressive. We know that very well.
“We’ve prepared for the games. We’ve been talking about the different situations that can happen from the beginning. We want to start with a high tempo.
“We cannot guess the atmosphere [at the new stadium]. It’s our second game there. The first in Champions League, which is different to the Premier League.
“We hope and wish that the atmosphere is going to be amazing and tough for our opposition.”
Pep: we will give it a go
Manchester City are aiming to make history this season by winning the quadruple, but boss Pep Guardiola knows that his side face a big challenge against a talented Tottenham team.
As well as still being in contention for the Champions League, City have already lifted the League Cup, are through to the FA Cup final against Watford and will battle for the Premier League title with Liverpool.
Speaking to BT Sport, Guardola said: “I will give my message to the players. Always playing against Spurs away they will play in that way - I can’t expect differently.
“How do we handle that if they do it? We must try to do it more. Maybe they will play high press and aggressive. We will prepare for that.
“I don’t know how fresh we are, I never know before, our minds control our legs. All eight teams [left in Champions League] are contenders to win the prize. This is the first leg against a tough opponent and we will give it a good go.”
TV, live stream and radio coverage
The match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will be live on BT Sport 2. The broadcaster will also have a live stream for sport.bt.com subscribers. Radio coverage will be on BBC Radio 5 live.
When is the second leg?
The return fixture will be played at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester on Wednesday 17 April.
Team news and possible starting XIs
Tottenham injury news
Spurs will be without Serge Aurier, Erik Lamela and Eric Dier who are all ruled out because of injury. Spanish striker Fernando Llorente returns to the squad after concussion.
Man City injury news
City have confirmed that Sergio Aguero, Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy are all in contention for Tuesday’s match. There are concerns over the fitness of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Fabian Delph.
Possible starting XIs
How the teams could line up at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, according to the London Evening Standard.
- Tottenham possible starting XI: Lloris, Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies, Sissoko, Alli, Eriksen, Son, Rose, Kane
- Man City possible starting XI: Ederson, Walker, Laporte, Otamendi, Mendy, Gundogan, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Sterling, Aguero
Predictions
Michael Owen, former England striker, Metro: “City have won 11 of the last 16 games played between the sides - all in the Premier League - and I expect them to take a lead back to the Etihad Stadium next week. Pep Guardiola has won 26 knockout Champions League ties - the record currently stands at 27 held jointly by Sir Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti. I expect City’s Spanish boss to join that illustrious group midweek. Score prediction: Tottenham 1-2 Manchester City.”
Tom Doyle, London Evening Standard: “Man City won 1-0 at Wembley in the Premier League earlier this season, and will be confident of scoring at least one away goal in the first leg. However, Spurs will surely be buoyed by the prospect of playing at their new stadium, and have earned some famous European home wins in recent years. With neither manager likely to commit to the tie on the night, it could be a cagey affair to set up a second-leg shootout in Manchester. Score prediction: Tottenham 1-1 Man City.”
Charlie Nicolas, Sky Sports: “Man City are getting the job done. Tottenham have got the glamour of the new stadium and this should be a spectacular night. They are an attack-minded side. Do they have to win the football match? Probably not. Man City have been resting and teasing teams at the moment, and there is an efficiency about them. They are going to squeeze Tottenham a bit. Tottenham could get caught up in the drama of the new stadium, but nothing changes for Man City. It is how Tottenham use their aggressive nature of their pressing. They may try to force it so I think Manchester City will pick them off. Score prediction: Tottenham 1 Man City 2.”
Ben Burrows, Independent: “Expect both teams to score in an open game with the visitors heading back to the Etihad with what could prove the crucial away goal. Score prediction: Tottenham 1-1 Manchester City.”
Spurs vs. Man City betting odds
All prices according to Oddschecker, as of 9 April.
Match betting
- Man City to win: 10/11
- Tottenham to win: 3/1
- Draw: 11/4
To qualify for the semi-finals
- Man City: 2/9
- Tottenham: 7/2
To win the Champions League
- Man City: 9/4
- Tottenham: 28/1
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