- Jul 27, 2004
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- Staff
- #1
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With our season supposedely over now I wonder what's the point, at least thats how some people see it. Hopefully neither the players or the management see it that way otherwise we could be in for a even worse end of the season. Anyway enough doom and gloom, the good news is we don't lose to Man City that often in recent times and with quite a few of City's keys players missing we should be in for a good result.
The Official Site Team News:
Younes Kaboul is back in contention for Sunday's Barclays Premier League trip to Manchester City.
The defender missed out on our UEFA Cup Round of 16 second leg with PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday with a knee injury, but has since returned to training.
However, captain Ledley King is unlikely to feature at the City of Manchester Stadium having picked up a calf strain in Holland.
Fellow defender Ricardo Rocha also remains out with a groin strain, while long-term injuries Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Gareth Bale are still on the sidelines.
Alan Hutton is available again after being ineligible for the PSV game.
Skysports.com Preview:
Sven-Goran Eriksson and Juande Ramos can compare notes on how not to take penalties when Manchester City tackle Tottenham, live on Sky Sports 1.
Spurs saw their Uefa Cup bid ended at the last-16 stage in midweek as PSV Eindhoven held their nerve in a shoot-out.
And Eriksson is no stranger to penalty agony having been at the helm as England exited Euro 2004 and World Cup 2006 on spot-kicks against Portugal.
Eriksson's side must also halt their slide into mid-table obscurity as they welcome Ramos' men to the City of Manchester Stadium on Sunday.
Just one win from their last seven fixtures - away to Manchester United - has seen City tumble to ninth in the table to leave their European hopes in tatters.
Spurs are already assured of a Uefa Cup berth next term after their Carling Cup triumph, but with Ramos expected to make changes to his squad over the summer no player can afford to relax.
Team news
Eriksson is sweating on the fitness of centre-back Richard Dunne, who was carried off in the defeat at Reading with a badly gashed shin.
The Republic of Ireland international initially tried to play on after sustaining the injury in a tackle with Stephen Hunt, but was forced out of the action and required nine stitches.
With Micah Richards out following a knee operation, Eriksson can ill-afford to lose the services of Dunne.
Full-back Michael Ball twisted his knee at the Madejski Stadium and is unlikely to feature, but Nedum Onuoha could come back into contention after a hamstring injury.
Winger Martin Petrov serves the final game of his three-match suspension following his dismissal in the defeat by Everton.
Scotland full-back Alan Hutton will return to Tottenham's squad after being ineligible for Uefa Cup action in Holland.
Centre-backs Younes Kaboul (knee) and Ricardo Rocha (groin) have been carrying knocks, while Gilberto is back in contention after being dropped against PSV.
BBC Match Squads (take with a pinch of salt):
Tottenham Squad (from): Robinson, Cerny, Chimbonda, Hutton, Lee, Gilberto, Gunter, King, Woodgate, Dawson, Zokora, Tainio, Jenas, Malbranque, Lennon, Huddlestone, O'Hara, Boateng, Taarabt, Berbatov, Keane, Bent.
Squad (from): Hart, Corluka, Dunne, Vassell, Fernandes, Elano, Caicedo, Johnson, Ireland, Castillo, Benjani, Isaksson, Hamann, Garrido, Jihai, Geovanni, Sturridge.
Interesting Stats:
Sven-Goran Eriksson's side are 10 points superior to their North London opponents, having won three more matches (12 to nine) and lost three fewer (eight to 11). They've also only lost twice at home, while Spurs have only won twice away.
Victory would give City 500 Premier League points.
Premier League matches involving Tottenham will have featured 100 goals this season if there are two in this fixture. The Londoners have scored 53 and conceded 45 in their 28 outings.
Spurs have won their last eight league and cup matches against Manchester City, and have not lost to them in nine since an astounding 3-4 home defeat in the FA Cup fourth round replay on 4 February 2004.
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Right, that's enough fuel for this fixture, kick off is at 16:00 GMT - check [thread=28735]Geez's Media Coverage Thread[/thread] for watching and listening options.
COME ON YOU SPURS!
[SIZE=-4]Lots of information courtesy of the BBC and SkySports[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-4]Don't forget to head over to SC's live chat during the game. For more info click the banner below.[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=-4]Lots of information courtesy of the BBC and SkySports[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-4]Don't forget to head over to SC's live chat during the game. For more info click the banner below.[/SIZE]
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