Tottenham vs. Man. City: Another Draw for Guardiola or a Mourinho Win?

When the Premier League resumes this weekend, the argument for a return of the five-sub rule will gain more momentum. What is also set to return are crunch games, like the one between Tottenham and Manchester City.

It’s the biggest game of the next round of games for so many reasons:

1. Tottenham’s In-Form Forwarders

When Harry Kane scored against West Brom, it was his 150^th Premier League goal. But that’s not as important as this goal being his seventh of the campaign so far. That’s seven goals in eight games. What’s more?

The English striker has a new-found habit: creating goal-scoring chances. With eight assists and eight big chances created, he is arguably the hottest property in the league this season. As if he’s not danger enough, Spurs also boast of a certain Heung-Min Son, who has scored an average of one goal per game in the league this season.

2. City’s Defense

Both sides have conceded nine goals each in the league this season. While Spurs have kept a clean sheet in three of their last nine (in all competitions), Man. City have shut opponents out in five of their last nine.

The Citizens seem to have buckled up their defense after their loss to Leicester earlier this season. Since that clash, they have managed an unbeaten run during which no team has scored twice against them.  One-third of those games have ended in a draw.

3. The History Between Mourinho and Guardiola

Both gaffers have a long history between them. The long list of games features El Clasico games in various competitions, Champions League clashes, and the Manchester derby, among others.

Both managers have clashed 23 times, with Pep winning on 11 occasions. Six of the games between these tacticians ended in a draw.

4. The History Between the Clubs

Manchester City boasts a superior head-to-head advantage over Tottenham going into this clash. 10 wins for Tottenham, in the last 16 meetings between these two sides says a lot about this fixture.

Half of the last six meetings between both sides has ended with a 1-0 scoreline while only half of the last 10 meetings between both sides has featured over 3,5 goals.

Both sides have only lost once so far this season. Heading into this clash, they will be looking to at least avoid a second defeat of the season. It’s a battle for three crucial points in the title race.

It’s equally a fight for bragging rights between both managers, regardless of how hard they try to downplay the rivalry between them. Mourinho or Guardiola: Which manager do you think will win this one?