Tottenham and Manchester City Combined Starting XI

Tottenham and Manchester City will face off against one another Sunday in one of the most anticipated matches yet in the Premier League season.

It’s worth stopping to appreciate just how monumental a clash this will be. It’s first versus second in the league table, two teams with as many contrasts as similarities. There are some already established legends set to take the pitch, and other players who are well on their way for making their own case for such status.

It won’t quite be el Clásico however. Neither are true super teams full to the brim with superstars. These are teams with strengths and weaknesses that can be and will be exploited.

The relatively egalitarian nature of Premier League finances prevents two close-to-perfect teams from facing off against each other. It’s an competitive environment wherein it’s nearly impossible for any one team to assemble a team of truly world class talent.

Taken in aggregate, however, and the Premier League can field some exceptional teams. Interweaving Tottenham and Manchester City’s first choice teams, for instance, might just create one of the top teams in Europe.

Thankfully for the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, this is just fantasy. Let’s dwell on it a bit longer to see just how formidable a Spurs/City mutant would look.

Spurs-City Combined XI - Premier League - 2nd October 2016 - Football tactics and formations /

Hugo Lloris – Goalkeeper: With Claudio Bravo still settling into his new side, Lloris seems the easy pick here. He hasn’t been challenged all that much in the previous five matches of the season, but one gets the impression City will find a way for Lloris to put on a show.

Danny Rose – Left-back: Pep Guardiola’s unique demands on his full-backs — making them auxillary midfielders in some matches, for instance — makes finding the “right” players tricky. Rose, in contract, fits in perfectly with what Mauricio Pochettino asks of his team. Hopefully he will return from injury here to prove his worth once gain.

Nicolas Otamendi – Centre-back: The Argentine defender threatened to become something of a joke last term at City, but under Guardiola he’s quickly become perhaps the best defender on the side. John Stones has also rehabilitated his career this season.

Toby Alderweireld – Centre-back: Say what you will about Jan Vertonghen’s ability and leadership, there’s just no doubting that Alderweireld is the best Tottenham has to offer in defense. He will be key in keeping City’s formidable offense at bay.

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Kyle Walker – Right-back: Walker is doggedly working on improving the one aspect of his game that might be said to have been lacking in previous seasons: the final ball. He’s recorded two assists so far this season, and will be asked to provide Tottenham’s width on the right on Sunday.

Fernandinho – Defensive Midfielder: One of the most under-appreciated aspect of any Guardiola team is the role of the deep-lying midfielder. It’s from that point that opposition attacks end and his own teams’ attacks begin. Fernandinho is quickly becoming the new Xabi Alonso or Sergio Busquets.

Eric Dier – Defensive Midfielder: Dier’s also earned his own comparisons to Alonso and Busquets, but in fairness his role is more destroyer than anything else. His return to fitness comes not a moment too soon, and he will be crucial in keeping David Silva from operating with too much effectiveness from central midfield.

Raheem Sterling – Attacking Midfielder: Given the form he’s in, it should be Heung-min Son in this spot. Sterling’s enjoyed his own renaissance this season, though, and given his past success with Liverpool it’s not unfair to say he has a higher ceiling than Son. Watch for him to be Guardiola’s go-to attacker in the absence of Kevin De Bruyne.

Christian Eriksen – Playmaker: He’s not been at his level best in every match this season, but Tottenham’s fate remains linked with Eriksen’s performances. The Dane’s transition play and vision will be invaluable here as Tottenham try to work around a not-always-reliable City defense.

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Érik Lamela – Attacking Midfielder: With Mousa Dembélé still likely to be out, Tottenham’s primary source of pressing high up the pitch will be Lamela. He’s going to be tasked with keeping City’s left-back occupied as well as prodding the centre-back pair for weaknesses.

Sergio Agüero – Striker: Even if Harry Kane were fit, it’s likely the City striker would be included here. He’s in barn-storming form, and there’s a case to be made that Agüero is one of the most individually talented players in Europe. He’s punished Tottenham before and might do so again.