Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur face off on Saturday for the third time in ten days as English Premier League (EPL) 2018-19 season enters the decisive phase.
The match presents City with a chance to avenge their UEFA Champions League exit to Tottenham. For Spurs, another win will consolidate their third-place spot in EPL table.
City's bid for an unprecedented quadruple of trophies ended in dramatic fashion as Tottenham progressed to the semi-finals on away goals after a pulsating 4-3 win for City was not enough to overturn their 1-0 first leg deficit.
Four goals were scored in a crazy opening 11 minutes as Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva canceled out two Son Heung-min away goals for Tottenham.
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City finally looked set for the last four when further goals from Sterling and Sergio Aguero put them ahead in the tie for the first time.
But there was a further twist when Fernando Llorente's controversial goal 17 minutes from time was allowed to stand despite a VAR check for handball by the Spaniard.
VAR intervened again deep into stoppage time to save Spurs
once more when Sterling thought he had completed his hat-
trick only for Aguero to be ruled offside in the build-up.
Tottenham's reward is a semi-final clash against Ajax.
All You Need To Know About The Match:
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Match: Manchester City Vs Tottenham Hotspur, 34th round of
EPL
Date: April 20 (Saturday)
Time: 5 PM IST
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Live Telecast: Star Sports Network
Live Streaming: Hotstar
Standings:
Manchester City - 2nd (83 points from 27 wins, two draws; goal difference +64)
Tottenham – 3rd (67 points from 22 wins, one draw; goal difference +30)
Likely XIs:
MCI (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Stones, Laporte, Delph; Bruyne, Fernandinho, Silva; Sterling, Jesus, Sane
Spurs (3-4-2-1): Lloris; Foyth, Sanchez, Vertonghen; Walker-Peters, Wanyama, Eriksen, Davies; Moura, Son; Llorente
Key Players
Raheem Sterling (Man City): The former Liverpool player remains the most consistent player for City. He can dominate the game.
Heung-Min Son (Spurs): The South Korean laid the foundation to Spurs' Champions League semi-final qualification, and will once again play a decisive role in the match.
Match referee: Michael Oliver
Key Stats:
- Five of the last six competitive meetings in Manchester have witnessed more than 3.5 goals scored.
- City have won their last nine matches in Premier League.
- City have won eight of their last 10 home matches against Tottenham in all competitions.
- City have scored at least three goals in their last 3 home matches against Tottenham in all competitions.
- Tottenham have lost their last four away matches (Premier League).
