Tottenham vs Man City LIVE: Premier League team news, line-ups and more today

Alvarez lashes in a volley which looks on-target but is blocked – then he fouls Son as Spurs try to launch a counter.

A little lucky not to be carded, perhaps.

City now starting to get a lot more possession after those frantic first minutes.

The hosts with the early threat, albeit not getting into the City box with it. Pep Guardiola’s team happy to play out through an initial press and then into space in midfield.

Lewis is left-back, Walker right today.

Kick-off! We are underway. Son embarks on an early dribble through the middle but he’s crowded out and Ederson clears.

The players are out on the pitch and we’re about ready for kick-off.

Just minutes away now in north London – lots of pressure on both teams after those above them slipped up yesterday.

Who will make the most of it?

Ten minutes to kick-off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Neither side will move up a place in the Premier League this weekend if they win today – but losing would be really detrimental to their hopes of achieving their objectives, be it the top four or the title.

Fabio Paratici has reflected positively on where Tottenham are in their current rebuilding project despite uncertainty over his own future.

The Spurs managing director was involved in a busy end to the January transfer window with top target Pedro Porro secured on an initial loan deal from Sporting Lisbon while Djed Spence departed on loan to Rennes and Matt Doherty left on a free transfer to sign for Atletico Madrid.

Arnaut Danjuma also joined Tottenham earlier in the window but those deals occurred amid the backdrop of controversy given Paratici was hit with a 30-month ban by an Italian court on January 20 relating to financial irregularities during his time at Juventus.

An announcement has not yet been made on whether Paratici has appealed the decision or if his suspension will extend beyond Italy, but it failed to stop him from helping Spurs take another step forward in their rebuild.

The Spanish right-back could make his debut against Manchester City on Sunday after joining Spurs on transfer deadline day, initially on loan but with an obligation to buy in the summer.

Porro has cost a £5 million loan fee, while his transfer will bring Sporting Lisbon a further £39 million, but £10 million of that will go to City because of a sell-on clause.

Porro never made a first-team appearance for City, who bought him in 2019, as he spent three seasons out on loan at first Real Valladolid and then Sporting Lisbon, sealing a move to the Portuguese club last summer.

City will also bring in a further £1 million as a result of Ivan Ilic’s loan to Torino. The Serbia midfielder did not play for City in three seasons on the books at the Etihad Stadium before he was sold to Verona in 2020.

Pep Guardiola defended his decision to let Joao Cancelo leave Manchester City for the rest of the season and said he would rather bank the money than be criticised for wasting huge amounts on a replacement now.

Guardiola described the Portugal full-back as an “incredible” player in City’s last two Premier League-winning campaigns but nevertheless allowed him to join Bayern Munich on loan and without bringing anyone in.

City’s defensive resources were further depleted when John Stones was ruled out for up to a month with a hamstring injury, meaning he will miss Sunday’s game against Tottenham, the top-of-the-table clash with Arsenal and the first leg of their Champions League tie with RB Leipzig.

Guardiola said Cancelo, who lost his place after the World Cup and did not even get off the bench in City’s last three games, was desperate to play but did not guarantee the former Juventus footballer will be part of his plans for next year.

Tottenham’s board has strongly rejected claims it has failed to invest significantly in its football team in recent transfer windows in a letter to the supporters’ trust.

Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust last month wrote to the board expressing its concerns over the direction of the club, with four key areas raised.

These included the medium to long-term strategy of owners ENIC and plans for the January transfer window.

A response was provided by Tottenham’s board on Thursday night after the conclusion of a winter transfer window where Arnaut Danjuma and Pedro Porro were signed for Antonio Conte’s side, while Bryan Gil, Djed Spence and Matt Doherty departed on either temporary or permanent deals.

Guardiola’s Manchester City failed in their protracted attempts to prise the England captain away from Tottenham in the summer of 2021.

The club instead turned their attention to Erling Haaland and this time landed their target, with the Norwegian moving to the Etihad Stadium last year.

In terms of goals, that deal has proved a huge success with the prolific Haaland having netted 31 times in 27 appearances this term.

Guardiola therefore has no reason to dwell on what might have been with Kane, ahead of facing him in north London on Sunday, but his admiration for him has not changed.