The surprise tactic that Pep Guardiola is set to spring on Spurs

Manchester City could make use of a tactic that served them well against Liverpool to negate Tottenham’s strengths, according to the Manchester Evening News. His game plan saw the champions hold a player back in defence to help deal with the Reds and their three-man attack. The game between City and Liverpool ended 0-0 and after talking up the threat that Spurs pose he could be set to turn to these alternative tactics once again. "Most teams that have come up against Manchester City in the last few months have witnessed the same blitzing that saw Pep Guardiola's side race to a record Premier League title win last season."Where other teams look to preserve leads, the Blues are relentless in their efforts to pulverise opposition sides. "Except Liverpool away. Guardiola, criticised for his tactics in the Champions League quarter-final earlier this year, showed up those who say he can only play one way by setting his team up at Anfield to slow Jurgen Klopp's side down and marginalise the chance for counter-attacks. "It worked too as a side that had stuck nine past Ederson in the last three meetings managed just six shots and two on target. But it also limited City's attacking intent. "They still had the chances to win the game - Riyad Mahrez's penalty being the obvious one - but only managed six shots, with two on target. "When you consider they are averaging more than 20 shots per game this season, that is some outlier and reflects how seriously Guardiola took the game. "With Tottenham also seen as a title contender, what then does the manager do for the trip to Wembley? Spurs haven't conceded in their last three league games, but shipped two goals in midweek to PSV to go with the four Barcelona scored at the start of the month." Tottenham face Manchester City on Monday night football.

The Cristiano Ronaldo effect. His start of the season for Juventus is identical to the 2009/10 campaign with Real Madrid