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Here we go for City's biggest game since we beat Gillingham in '99,or lost to Spurs in '81, depending on your point of view. This clash for Fourth Place has it all - two evenly matched teams, a huge prize at stake, plenty of rivalry between the two clubs going back decades and the chance for City to put two fingers up at all "the haters". Yet whatever happens on Wednesday night, the progress that this club of ours has made has been significant, both on and off the field - although mis-steps have been taken, City fans should be proud of what has been achieved, and be excited for the future.

This fixture throws up many questions and possibilities. At the time of writing, there is little news on the status of Gareth Barry, and the punishing game against Villa may have taken it's toll on one or two of City's players, notably Carlos Tevez and Pablo Zabaleta, but hopefully both will be ready. Additionally, the likes of Patrick Vieira and Craig Bellamy have their own fitness issues to be concerned about, but they must be available for selection if at all possible - I imagine City's physio's and masseurs are busy people right now, although Spurs will likely have similar concerns about King and Gomes. Stevie Ireland's condition is also unclear, and Wayne Bridge looked rather less than 100% on Saturday, so Mancini will have some questions to consider leading up to this encounter. Assuming all are fit enough to play, the major issue is straightforward - what is the key to defeating Redknapp's team?

First, what kind of team will Tottenham field? Unlike Aston Villa this weekend, Spurs only need a draw in order to place destiny firmly in their own hands, so Redknapp may choose to err on the side of caution and play something like this line-up, injuries allowing -

---------------Gomes/Alnwick-----------------------
Kaboul-----Dawson-------King/Bassong--------Ekotto
----------Palacios----------------Huddlestone------
Bentley-----------Gudjohnsen-------------------Bale
-----------------------Crouch----------------------

This would be a tough team to break down - plenty of height throughout their side, both Gudjohnsen and Crouch are able to hold the ball up, Palacios and Huddlestone are a solid combination and Bale and Bentley can defend well for wingers. If Spurs decide to park the bus, City's job will become that much more difficult - we've struggled against this tactic on a few occasions - and Mancini will likely have to alter his formation and approach while the game is in progress to achieve victory. With this in mind, I'd go with the following formation to begin the game - I assume that once the Spurs team is revealed thirty minutes before kick-off, tactical adjustments can be made by City's coaching staff -

---------------------Fulop-----------------------
Onuoha-------Toure----------Kompany------Zabaleta
-------------------De Jong-----------------------
------------Vieira-----------------Barry----------
SWP------------------Tevez----------------Bellamy

Bench Neilsen Richards Bridge Ireland AJ RSC Adebayor

I've picked Nedum (Mancini presumably will not) to counter Bale's pace and intelligence on the ball. Toure and Kompany continue in the centre, with the reliable Zaba taking the left-back slot from Bridge. De Jong is the only traditional holding midfielder, allowing Vieira and Barry some freedom to get forward. The direct play of SWP may trouble the likes of Dawson and King, and if prudent, he and Bellamy should switch wings on occasion - I suspect that SWP can do to Kaboul what was done to Cuellar on Saturday. Finally, Tevez leads the line in what is a quick, mobile front three. Although the aerial advantage is with Spurs, City have the edge on pace and agility.

On the other hand, It would not be a surprise to see Tottenham field a much more adventurous eleven. Lennon is the obvious concern - one wonders if the winger's full return will coincide with the game against City - and Spurs have the likes of Modric, Defoe and Pavlyuchenko available. I think it's reasonable to say that if Redknapp decides to take a more positive approach, then this will suit City's counter-attacking style more, opening up the big Eastlands pitch and creating space for Tevez, Bellamy and Adebayor to exploit. If Spurs line up like this -

-----------------Gomes/Alnwick-------------------
Kaboul------Dawson--------King/Bassong-----Ekotto
----------------Huddlestone----------------------
---Lennon-----------------------------Bale-------
---------------------Modric----------------------
-----------Defoe-----------Pavyluchenko----------

then City should counter like this -

-------------------Fulop-----------------------
Onuoha-------Toure--------Kompany------Zabaleta
---------De Jong------------Barry/Vieira-------
AJ--------------------------------------Bellamy
-----------------Tevez-------------------------
---------------------------Adebayor-----------

In this line-up, City would play a similar eleven to the one that defeated Villa, although I'm undecided whether to play Vieira if Barry is fit. Although the Frenchman had his best game in a City shirt on Saturday, I feel that the extra mobility of Barry will be important to block the channels and win possession in more areas of the midfield, particularly in regard to Huddlestone. Zaba vs Lennon will be key - I don't fancy Bridge here, but whoever faces the left-winger will need assistance from either Bellamy, Kompany or Barry/Vieira. Toure and Kompany will have their work cut out against the Spurs front players - even though they haven't been scoring too many recently, they will be a threat especially when supported by the dangerous Modric, so De Jong will need to be at his best, too. AJ and Bellamy will come up against two decent full-backs and will also need to track-back, but as mentioned above, an open game like this should suit them. Tevez got the balance between midfield and attack just about right vs Villa, and more of the same would be useful here, especially by defending from the front against the influential Huddlestone. Adebayor completes the line-up, continuing his improving hold-up play and taking up useful positions in the Spurs area. As the game stretches out, SWP and RSC could be used if required.

Whatever the tactics and formation, City need to keep to Mancini's gameplan, give 100% and not allow Spurs to impose themselves on the tie. It's notable that Tottenham do not do particularly well when they have to chase the game, so scoring first, and early, would be fantastic. Concentration will also be crucial here - if, like everything else this season, the game is going down to the wire, City must focus for the entire 90+ minutes. Set-pieces are a strong point for Redknapp's team, so it's critical we are disciplined and shrewd - this is where experience comes in. Overall, it's time for City to grow up and embrace her potential at the expense of old enemy Tottenham Hotspur.

~Bloovic~