Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City: Key battles in the Champions League quarter-final first leg
Two familiar foes go head-to-head in Europe but where will the game be won and lost?
The Champions League quarter-finals get under way tonight and one tie sees Tottenham Hotspur host Manchester City.
It's an all-Premier League tie set to get supporters and neutrals excited, especially as it's at Spurs' brand new stadium.
The duo have had some memorable encounters over the years with plenty of goals too and both could easily take the win if they get their tactics right.
We all know the key men on show with Sergio Aguero and Harry Kane hungry for goals and desperate to fire their club to glory.
But where are the key battles on the pitch? marvelbet369.com takes a look.
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Kieran Trippier and Moussa Sissoko vs Raheem Sterling and David Silva
Anyone who has watched Spurs this season will know they are weak at right-back, so much so that Sissoko has been employed as the England star’s minder.
When the ball goes toward Trippier’s area of the pitch you’re likely to see Sissoko quickly head off to help him out.
In the Premier League game at Wembley, Sterling took advantage by attacking his early and Man City were rewarded with their game-winning goal.
If Sterling and Silva can combine at Tottenham’s new stadium then Spurs may well have some big problems.
Heung-Min Son vs Danilo
With Kyle Walker possibly absent after picking up an injury in Man City’s FA Cup semi-final win, Son could be relishing a run at Brazil international Danilo.
The ex-Real Madrid ace is hardly an amateur but against the South Korean star he will face a tough ask.
If Son plays in two with Harry Kane, then Danilo will have to watch his opponents moves in then half-space and his intricate passing with his team-mates, while if he plays in a front-three then he’ll need to be aware of his dribbling and trickery.
Any loss of concentration could result in a goal, which may have Pep Guardiola fearful.
Moussa Sissoko vs Fernandinho
The Frenchman could have a big evening at the new White Hart Lane.
In the Premier League fixture between the two sides earlier this season he was tasked with battling for long balls up against Fernandinho.
Spurs appeared to feel they could hustle for the second ball and at the same time have the Brazilian midfielder taken out of the picture, allowing them to get at the defence quickly.
Pochettino could try a similar move again, while we wouldn’t put it past the Argentine from forcing Kane to play slightly deeper to be the principle winner in any of these situations.
Ederson vs Davinson Sanchez
In the event the Colombian centre-back starts, one of the more surprising battles may be between these two.
Ederson’s exceptional long passes for Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling cause problems for most defences but with Sanchez still struggling aerially he could well be targeted by Pep Guardiola.
A ball dropping in behind the ex-Ajax man could cause a panic with City players swarming him, while if he can get his head on it, it won’t go far, allowing the visitors possession in key areas.
Keep an eye out for this.