Manchester City vs. Tottenham: 10 Predictions for the Title Race Clash

First takes on third in the Premier League as Manchester City play host to Tottenham Hotspur this Sunday. Victory for the Blues would see them consolidate their position at the top of the table. Defeat would blow the title race wide open.

The league leaders won heavily in the return fixture, but this resurgent Tottenham are a very different side.

Redknapp to Be Distracted

In a bizarrely oft-overlooked determining factor to Tottenham's season, manager Harry Redknapp faces trial, accused of tax evasion on January 23. Alongside ex-Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric, Redknapp has been charged with cheating the public revenue.

With the two-week trial beginning the day after this weekend's game, it is not inconceivable for the Tottenham manager's thoughts to be elsewhere.

Nasri to Take Control

Samir Nasri's Manchester City debut at White Hart Lane has to go down as one of the all-time best in a blue shirt. Incisive passing and four assists tore Spurs to shreds as City fans got very excited about the prospect of their new signing combining with the likes of David Silva.

Nasri has not yet fulfilled that early promise, however. Despite an impressive pass completion rate of 92.2 percent, Nasri has only added three more Premier League assists in the subsequent eleven starts and three substitute appearances.

A performance reaching anywhere near the heights of his debut would help him to stamp his authority on the second half of the season as the Blues seek to win their first Premier League trophy.

Bale vs. Richards to Be Key Battle

Already one goal off last season's Premier League total of seven, Gareth Bale's direct running has become a key component of Tottenham's success this season. He has provided the team with seven assists in a much-improved figure to last season's.

Lining up against Micah Richards—leading candidate for the right-back spot in the PL team of the season—will be a huge battle in both directions. Richards has been imperious as an attacking force from the back, providing one goal, five assists and a complete pass success percentage of 82.

Unlikely to Replicate High-Scoring Fest of the Lane

Luka Modric pining for Chelsea, Scott Parker playing in the Championship and Emmanuel Adebayor still courting Real Madrid meant that the Spurs side of the early season was considerably different from the present-day model (although Adebayor will be sitting out Sunday's game). City's blistering attack caught many off guard in the early months of the season, but the scoring pace has slowed over the winter period.

Adebayor Absence to Stifle Spurs

Emmanuel Adebayor currently leads the Tottenham scoring charts in the Premier League with nine goals this season. Unfortunately for Spurs fans, he is only on loan from Manchester City and therefore is unable to play against his parent club.

As the focal point for the Spurs attack, Adebayor has become vital to their style of play, with Jermaine Defoe and Roman Pavlyuchenko much more in the poacher mold than like-for-like replacements. Missing the presence of Adebayor to hold up the ball and combine with other players will hurt the Spurs attack in a match in which possession could be vital.

Dzeko to Start

Edin Dzeko was the bane of Tottenham Hotspur when these two sides met in August, as he hit four goals at the Lane—including a perfect hat trick. The Bosnain returned to scoring ways versus Wigan, and with his confidence restored the target man will seek to further torment the Spurs defence.

Savic to Start

Stefan Savic continues to deputise in the absence of the captain. The young Montenegrin made just his second Premier League start during Monday's victory over Wigan Athletic.

Some of the criticism directed toward the new signing has been extremely harsh, considering the centre-back only turned 21 last week and is still settling into a new team and country. A consistent run of games in the side will see him gain in stature and confidence.

We Won't Miss Crouch

Peter Crouch has settled this fixture in the previous two seasons—sealing Champions League qualification for both teams by scoring from an identical part of the pitch—once for Spurs and one on an own goal.

Despite the England man now plying his trade in the Potteries, the attacking talent on show on both teams should ensure this game does end scoreless.

Beginning of the End for Tottenham's Title Challenge

Defeat for Tottenham Hotspur would see Harry Redknapp's men eight points and a minimum of 25 goals behind league leaders Manchester City. With trips to Anfield, the Emirates and Stamford Bridge still in the pipeline it would be extremely difficult for the North London side to overhaul the Manchester clubs.

Pressure on United

A victory for City would see them go six points clear of their red rivals ahead of United's afternoon kickoff at the Emirates Stadium. The pressure will be on Alex Ferguson's men as they look to retain their Premier League title.