Tottenham v Man City preview

15 May 2009 10:03
Tottenham face Manchester City at White Hart Lane as the battle for seventh spot intensifies. Fulham and West Ham are also in contention for the final Europa League place but only three points separate the four teams and there is everything to play for in the remaining two games of the season. Europe was the furthest thing from Harry Redknapp's mind when he took charge at Spurs in October, with the club bottom of the table on two points from eight games. They have steadily improved as the campaign has progressed and a major factor in the turnaround has been an excellent record at White Hart Lane. Tottenham are in fact on the brink of breaking a club record for the fewest number of goals conceded at home in a league season, which currently stands at 11 in the 1919/20 season. Spurs have let in just nine so far this term, keeping clean sheets in their last six outings at White Hart Lane, so history beckons if they concede fewer than two goals in their final home game. Redknapp decided to play with three central defenders and two wing-backs against Everton last weekend but may opt to make changes. Benoit Assou-Ekotto could return from a foot injury in place of Gareth Bale, with Alan Hutton and Vedran Corluka competing for the right-back berth. Darren Bent and Michael Dawson are still out and Jamie O'Hara has undergone a knee operation, while Wilson Palacios remains at home with his family in Honduras after the death of his brother. Aaron Lennon has had treatment on a groin problem but is still not fit. Jermain Defoe and Robbie Keane are likely to be paired together up front. Robinho blow Manchester City will be looking to bounce back from a 2-0 derby defeat at Old Trafford last Sunday. Mark Hughes' men had won their three previous matches to climb into the top half of the table and will be confident of finishing the season with a flourish. They will also want to prove they have overcome their problems on the road by claiming only a third away victory of the season. Shaun Wright-Phillips could be back on the substitutes' bench after returning to training following a month out with a knee injury. However, in-form Brazilian striker Robinho is definitely out with a groin problem and Hughes must decide how to restructure his side. Martin Petrov could come in on the left wing, while Pablo Zabaleta could also be recalled to the starting line-up after fully recovering from a hamstring complaint. Possible starting XIsTottenham: Gomes, Corluka, Woodgate, King, Assou-Ekotto, Jenas, Huddlestone, Zokora, Modric, Keane, Defoe. Man City: Given, Richards, Onuoha, Dunne, Bridge, De Jong, Kompany, Elano, Ireland, Petrov, Caicedo.

Source: SKY_Sports