Mauricio Pochettino and Tottenham face the latest test of their Premier League title credentials on Monday, as they host Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola‘s reigning champions are two points ahead of Spurs, setting up a tantalising clash as both sides look to move up the table.
Here’s a look at the key tactical decisions the two managers will be considering.
TO PRESS OR NOT TO PRESS
Guardiola teams don’t like being pressed. It’s been the one weakness other managers have exploited against the Spaniard, and they’ve done it time and again. Spurs did it to City two seasons ago in a superb 2-0 win, which ended the club’s unbeaten start to life under Guardiola.
But last season, City played around Tottenham’s high press in a 4-1 win at home. Mauricio Pochettino decided to change tactics for the return fixture at Wembley in April, with Spurs sitting deep, but his side were timid in a 3-1 loss that also ended up confirming City’s title win.
So which way will Spurs go on Monday? They need the win more than City do. Will Pochettino stick to the press, what he knows best?
Will the Spurs press work, or backfire as it did last December?
LONG-BALL CITY?
Speaking of City countering the Spurs press, the way they did it last season was by simply having goalkeeper Ederson ping long balls over Tottenham’s press and high line.
They may be forced into the same tactic on Monday for an entirely different reason: the Wembley pitch. The stadium was used for an NFL game on Sunday, which has left the turf worn and damaged – which will make it difficult for City to keep up their usual slick-passing game.
It’s not the best part of his game, but Sergio Aguero can play effectively with his back to goal, so long balls could just work for City again. If not, expect City to do some well-justified complaining about the state of the pitch.
Ederson has the ability to single-handedly beat Tottenham’s press – and the Wembley pitch.
POCHETTINO COULD RISK A BACK THREE
Whether or not to stick to the press is not the only decision Pochettino has to make. Team shape is the other. The Argentine has often switched to a back three in games of this magnitude. It allows his full-backs to push higher up – which of course aids the press as well – and makes Spurs even more lethal on the counter.
But the formation also leaves space in behind, something City exploited in last season’s 4-1 win. Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane punished Spurs in that game, and if Pochettino does switch to a back three, there’s a danger that the duo could do the same again. Given how important the win is for Tottenham in this game, will Pochettino take the risk?
City profited from space in behind Tottenham last season.
