Something is stirring in the north-west. It is something familiar, something joyous (for a minority) and something that has become almost formulaic.
Book the open-top bus, Man City are just two games from Premier League title number seven. A win tonight at Spurs would leave Pep Guardiola’s side two points clear of Arsenal going into the final round of fixtures this coming Sunday – where only West Ham stand in their way.
The easy assumption is that the City winning machine will simply roll through north London this evening, in keeping with recent City sides’ ruthless reputation at the business end of Premier League seasons. Yet could this be different?
Contemporary evidence suggests not. This is a Spurs side who, until Saturday’s win over Burnley, had lost four straight league games, conceding 13 goals in the process. City, meanwhile, have been serene, netting 15 times over the same period with Wolves the only side to score against them.
In truth, City’s greatest enemy this evening might well be over confidence, such is the air of indestructibility that shrouds them when league title races really heat up. The smart money will be on them to come away with three points against a side who are facing football’s answer to Sophie’s Choice.
Win here and Spurs would all but hand the Premier League title to Arsenal – their bitterest and most local of rivals. Lose and a season which once promised so much risks ending on the kind of bitter note that will ring in the corridors of their Enfield base throughout the summer.
Ange Postecoglou has had his say on that particular quandary and was disparaging of any notion there will be joy in the streets if his side lose and thus lessen the chance of an Arsenal title. And with the title still up for grabs on the final day irrelevant of result, you would imagine the Australian will be demanding nothing but full commitment from players and fans alike this evening.
Perhaps the most interesting spectre hanging over the match is City’s recent record against Spurs, who have without a shadow of doubt have become Guardiola’s bogeyman side. The presumptive champions-elect have beaten Tottenham just once in their last five league meetings but know nothing short of three points tonight will keep the title race in their hands.
Full team news from 7pm.
