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Mauricio Pochettino hints at changes for Manchester City showdown

Pochettino hints at changes for Man City showdown
© Reuters
Tottenham travel to the Etihad three days after their dramatic Champions League progression.

Tottenham have to shift their focus back to domestic matters when they meet Manchester City again on Saturday.

With the memory of their Champions League classic still fresh, Spurs can dent City's season further if they derail their title push at the Etihad.

Having knocked Pep Guardiola's men out of Europe's premier competition on Wednesday, Spurs can strengthen their hopes of making the top four with another win.

However, boss Mauricio Pochettino knows a change of mindset will be needed.

"The Premier League is different and we are fighting for different things," he told his club's official website.

"Manchester City are trying to win the Premier League and, for us, it's so important to be in the top four for next season."

With Liverpool having what appears on paper to be an easier run-in, City know that they can afford no slip-ups in a bid to defend their title.

There is considerable pressure on them as a result, but also on Spurs who, if they win, can put four points between themselves in third and Arsenal and Chelsea, who sit fourth and fifth and do not play until Sunday.

"We need to assess the players and need to be sure we are going there competing with fresh legs with the possibility to fight and challenge them again," Pochettino added.

"That's why we're working so hard now to try to assess the players in the right way and try to mix players who can be competitive and have the possibility to win."

To get the result he needs, after such a taxing night on Wednesday, the Argentinian admits he may have to field some fresh faces.

"City have an unbelievable squad, they can change and rotate the starting 11 and keep the same level on the pitch," he said.

"With all the circumstances and some injuries, maybe we need to think about playing with younger players, not without experience, but with plenty of energy and keeping the same ideas – to be brave and try to compete.

"It's going to be tough but we need to think about recovery and try to design the best strategy to try to be competitive."


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Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min celebrates scoring against Manchester City in the Champions League on April 27, 2019
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool35277179205988
2Manchester CityMan City34282487226586
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs352311165353070
4Chelsea35207859382167
5Arsenal34206868432566
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd34197863481564
7Watford35148135050050
8Everton35147145044649
9Leicester CityLeicester35146154847148
10Wolverhampton WanderersWolves34139124142-148
11West Ham UnitedWest Ham35127164454-1043
12Crystal Palace35126174348-542
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle35118163544-941
14Bournemouth35125184962-1341
15Burnley35117174462-1840
16Southampton35910164158-1737
17Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton3597193254-2234
18Cardiff CityCardiff3594223065-3531
RFulham3565243376-4323
RHuddersfield TownHuddersfield3535272069-4914

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