Postecoglou excited by challenge of facing ´outstanding´ Man City

Ange Postecoglou says Tottenham are looking forward to the challenge of facing Manchester City again, as they welcome Pep Guardiola’s side to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

A clinical Spurs ran out 4-0 winners over City at the Etihad Stadium in November, having also knocked them out of the EFL Cup the month before.

That result in the top-flight was followed up by a tough spell for Spurs which saw them drop down the table, but having won their last three in the league, they are now up in 12th on 33 points.

Postecoglou expects City to pose a threat despite their recent disappointing results.

“You’re always looking forward to the challenge,” Postecoglou said.

“Manchester City are an outstanding football club, [with a] great manager, still got great footballers and still play really challenging football to any opponent.

“We’ve enjoyed our games against them, whether that was this year or last year. They’re going to try and win; they’re going to try and play expansively, and we are going to try and do the same. It’s going to be a good test for us.”

City endured a disappointing week after a 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid saw them exit the Champions League in the play-offs on Wednesday (6-3 on aggregate) before they were soundly beaten 2-0 by Liverpool on Sunday.

They remain fourth in the table, only above Bournemouth on goal difference, in a tight battle for the European spots.

Guardiola says he has not been surprised by Spurs’ recent winning run, which has coincided with a raft of players returning from injury, noting the individual talent Postecoglou has in his side.

“They’re a fantastic team, with individual quality,” Guardiola said.

“The rhythm they play and intensity they do, incredible runners in the transitions, but I think lately they have a few more extra passes.

“They can do it, especially when James Maddison plays.

“The results dictate one thing, but the opinion of the team is the opposite.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Tottenham – Son Heung-min

Son Heung-min has provided nine assists for Tottenham in the Premier League this season, including two for Brennan Johnson in their 4-1 win against Ipswich last time out.

Only in 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2023-24 has he provided more in a single campaign in the competition (10 each time).

Manchester City – Erling Haaland

Guardiola “hopes” Erling Haaland will be fit to face Spurs, and his involvement would be vital. He has scored six goals in five Premier League games in London this season.

The Norwegian is also one away goal away from scoring 10+ home goals and 10+ away goals in three different Premier League campaigns (also 2022-23 and 2023-24). The only player to have ever done so in three consecutive seasons is Harry Kane (2015-16 to 2017-18).

A look at some memorable moments against Spurs (A) pic.twitter.com/muelU34NZa

— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 25, 2025

MATCH PREDICTION: MANCHESTER CITY WIN

Having lost their first four Premier League games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium without scoring a single goal, City won this exact fixture 2-0 last season.

While City are tipped to get back to winning ways on Wednesday, Spurs have already beaten them twice this season (4-0 in the Premier League and 2-1 in the EFL Cup). The last time Tottenham beat the reigning English champions three times in a single campaign was 1984-85 (v Liverpool).

Following their 4-0 win in the reverse fixture, Spurs are also looking to do the league double over City for the first time since 2021-22. They last did so without conceding in 2009-10.

City have failed to win any of their last three Premier League away games against London sides (D2 L1), having won six in a row beforehand. Their last trip to the capital saw them beaten 5-1 by Arsenal.

Tottenham have won their last three Premier League games, as many as they had in their previous 15 (D2 L10). However, they have not won four in a row since September-October 2023.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Tottenham – 31.2%

Draw – 23.5%

Manchester City – 45.4%