The Athletic FC Podcast The Preview: Spurs vs Man City
9 snips
Jan 30, 2026 
Tim Spiers, football journalist offering club insight and match previews, and Stu James, tactical-minded football writer, dissect Spurs vs Man City. They probe Spurs' Jekyll-and-Hyde form, whether Thomas Frank can reshape the team, and why European and domestic performances diverge. They also assess City’s tactical flexibility, Haaland’s form, and weekend fixtures like Leeds vs Arsenal and Liverpool vs Newcastle.
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Spurs' Two-Face Season
- Tottenham show a Europa/Premier League split with strong Champions League form but poor domestic form.
- Stu James warns a one-off win over City won't fix longer-term identity and results problems.
Counterattack As Spurs' Best Route
- Spurs often rely on low possession, counter-attacking plans to trouble City and have historical success doing so.
- Matt Davies-Adams notes that may be Tottenham's only realistic route to beating Manchester City at home.
City Need A Consistency Check
- Manchester City need consistent results rather than a single win to shift momentum in the title race.
- Stu James says upcoming fixtures (Spurs, Newcastle, Liverpool) will reveal if City can sustain pressure on Arsenal.