Tottenham suffered a humiliating defeat at Manchester
City in November, but Manuel Pellegrini's side will expect a tougher test on
Wednesday.
Free-scoring City hammered the London club 6-0 at the
Etihad Stadium in November to pile the pressure on former head coach Andre
Villas-Boas.
The Portuguese was sacked following another thrashing by
Liverpool last month and the appointment of Tim Sherwood has sparked an upturn
in fortunes at White Hart Lane.
Tottenham have won their last four Premier League games
and are unbeaten in the top flight under Sherwood.
Former City striker Emmanuel Adebayor has enjoyed a new
lease of life since Villas-Boas' departure, scoring six goals in eight games in
all competitions with Sherwood at the helm.
Tottenham beat City 3-1 at White Hart Lane last season
and could do with a repeat performance as they challenge for a top-four finish.
Midfielder Paulinho comes back into contention to face
City after missing the last four games with an ankle injury.
England winger Andros Townsend (hamstring) is also set to
return to the squad along with Jan Vertonghen (ankle), but Sandro (calf) may
not be ready to return and Younes Kaboul (thigh) is also not match fit.
City were given a scare by Championship side Watford on
Saturday, but fought back from two goals down at half-time to win 4-2 in the
fourth round of the FA Cup.
Pellegrini's title contenders have been a joy to watch
this season and their ominous form has seen them win 16 and draw three of their
last 19 in all competitions.
Tottenham are by no means the only team on the wrong end
of a thrashing from second-placed City, who have already scored an astonishing
110 goals in all competitions this season.
Striker Alvaro Negredo, who has scored 23 goals this
term, is expected to return against Tottenham after he was not risked against Watford
due to a shoulder injury.
The Spaniard is set to continue his partnership with
Sergio Aguero, who scored a hat-trick at the weekend to take his tally to nine
goals in his last eight games and 25 in total in all competitions.
David Silva (hamstring) is also set to return, while Joe
Hart, Pablo Zabaleta, Vincent Kompany and Fernandinho will be expected to start
after dropping to the bench against Watford.
Culled from Soccerway
