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It’s a Super Sunday of football in the English Premier League with two massive encounters that involve two teams that have everything to play for. One of those sides are Tottenham Hotspur who are seeking a Champions League top four finish and face last season’s league winners who are riding high after booking a spot in the FA Cup final and also looking to secure second spot as soon as possible. Please note this article has been written before midweek Premier League matches have been played.
Currently fifth in the league, but having played a game more than rivals Chelsea and Arsenal, Tottenham’s campaign is hanging in the balance. They have won just one in their last four league encounters and that win is their only one in six over all competitions. Andre Villas-Boas’ side must show more nerve in the final weeks of the Premier League to save their season. The White Hart Lane boss saw his plucky Spurs side lose their Europa League quarter-final in the cruellest and most typically English way imaginable last week. The North Londoners crashed out on penalties to Basel in Switzerland after drawing 2-2 in both legs. Tom Huddlestone and Emmanuel Adebayor both missed from the spot as Spurs suffered their seventh straight shootout defeat. Inspirational talisman Gareth Bale will give Spurs a major boost by returning to the squad after suffering a foot injury against Basel in the first leg match at White Hart Lane. Bale has played 38 times for the London side this season, scoring 22 goals. They will be further boosted by the return of another three key players in Jermain Defoe, Aaron Lennon and William Gallas.
Manchester City have brought some joy in making the FA Cup final at Wembley next month in what has been a disappointing season so far for the defending league champions. Rivals Manchester United have almost wrapped-up the league title while City were also knocked out of the UEFA Champions League in the group stages. Samir Nasri and Sergio Aguero scored for Manchester City as they ended Chelsea’s quest for a fifth FA Cup title in seven seasons with a 2-1 semi-final win at Wembley on Sunday. In victory, Roberto Mancini’s City moved into their second final in three years despite conceding their first goal of the competition. The ‘Noisy Neighbours’ also reduced Manchester United’s lead at the top of the Premier League two weeks ago to 12 points as they restored pride with an impressive victory at Old Trafford. The reigning champions may have left it too late to prevent United claiming the title for the 20th time – but the deserved 2-1 win hints at the pedigree that remains within Roberto Mancini’s squad. Last season’s stand out performer, Sergio Aguero, has come good of late after failing to replicate his great form for the majority of the season. He came on to score the winner in that victory at Old Trafford and also scored what proved to be the winning goal in the FA Cup semi-final. City have been the league’s toughest defence, conceding just 27 goals from 31 games.
City have beaten Spurs in the last four league encounters. Tottenham have not been dominant at home winning only half of their 16 matches, drawing five and losing three. City are coming off good wins and are favourites here. However, Spurs will put up a good fight and the draw is tipped.
