Friday’s FA Cup fixture between Tottenham and Manchester City will add another edition to what is becoming one of the top rivalries in English football. While The Sky Blues are usually contending for the Premier League and Champions League titles, Spurs often play spoiler to their crusades, having caused Pep Guardiola’s squad to drop points on several occasions. Leading up to the match, Ange Postecoglou has received some good news coming out of both sides’ camps.
Haaland Not Likely to Feature, but Spurs Facing Possible James Maddison Return
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English Journalists Report on Tottenham Injury Updates
Last week, Matt Law and John Percy stated in an article for The Telegraph that James Maddison was targeting the City match for his return from injury. Israeli attacker Manor Solomon is also seeking an end-of-January recovery from his own stint on the sideline.
The Englishman heralded the return of the 27-year-old former Leicester City player as “a huge boost for Postecoglou and Tottenham.”
Guradiola’s talented City side “are yet to win or score a goal at Tottenham’s £1 billion stadium.” Last year’s treble winners, and winners of the UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup so far this campaign, often struggle to overcome the North London outfit.
The two clubs would have hoped for a more fortuitous draw, but find themselves squaring off in the fourth round on Friday.
Haaland Injury News
Paul Hirst, also writing for The Telegraph, noted on Monday that Erling Haaland returned to training for City. An integral part of their trophy haul last season, the Norweigan had missed the last six weeks due to a foot injury. It is good timing, too, as Guardiola has positioned The Citizens for another run at several pieces of silverware.
Haaland, despite his steady recovery, is “unlikely to feature in Friday’s FA Cup tie against Tottenham.”
City are never an easy side to beat and Postecoglou will be wary that the reigning European and English champions have a strong roster from top to bottom. However, the possible additions of Maddison and Solomon, coupled with the expected absence of Haaland could give Spurs a strong opportunity to steal victory.
