Tottenham's primary creative strategy involves overloading central zones of the pitch and, with Vincent Kompany injured, targeting this area could prove fruitful for Mauricio Pochettino's side. Spurs have scored five goals in their last two matches, rediscovering some of the free-flowing creativity that peaked around Christmas. Key to this has been the return to form of Nacer Chadli (five dribbles in last two matches) and Erik Lamela (five key passes in his last two), who cut inside from the flanks to join Christian Eriksen.
Chadli and Lamela act more like central attacking midfielders than wingers.
This overload can often lead to congestion in the final third, thus explaining Spurs' difficulties against narrow, defensive-minded opposition (the 0-0 draw at Burnley, for example).
However, on Sunday this could be the perfect strategy to exploit City's primary weakness: the partnership of Eliaquim Mangala and Martin Demichelis that still looks far from convincing.
Without Kompany's organisational skills, Jack Grealish ran riot last weekend, finding pockets of space between the two lines of defence – where Lamela, Eriksen and Chadli chiefly operate.
This area of the pitch should be the key battleground. Fernandinho and Fernando will need to work hard to ensure they don't become overwhelmed by the movement of Spurs' attacking midfield three.
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