Spurs fans were treated to the news this week that Manchester City are expected to be without Aymeric Laporte, Fernandinho and Benjamin Mendy for Sunday’s game.
According to BBC Sport reporter Simon Stone on Twitter (via Daily Hotspur), City boss Pep Guardiola has confirmed that the trio could miss the visit to the Tottenham Hotspur stadium. Jose Mourinho’s side welcome last year’s champions to North London needing a win to help them realise their top-four aspirations, whilst the away side will need a win if they are to keep up any hope of catching runaway leaders Liverpool.
Of course, Guardiola may just be playing mind games and it would not be a surprise to see all three players involved at the weekend.
Do you think Guardiola is being genuine with his injury update?
Yes
No
Reaction from Spurs fans to the injury news from City can be seen in the tweets below.
So that means all three will start then
— Ethan Gadenne (@EGadenneTHFC) January 29, 2020
Loool City are gonna be easy to beat without Laporte
— Tim (@MagicalDele) January 29, 2020
He always does this against us to throw us off. They’re all starting
— Alex • Bergwijn Propaganda (@clinicalsissoko) January 29, 2020
I’m not falling for his mind games, they’ll somehow manage to sign messi in time for the game
— Announce Aarons you cowards (@sacramentoszn) January 29, 2020
Bergwijn masterclass inbound
— Cyrus (@Cyrus_Sans) January 29, 2020
And we’ll still lose
— Falke (@BergwijnSzn) January 29, 2020
These Spurs fans are clearly a bit pessimistic ahead of the game and feel that even if City are without the trio of Laporte, Mendy and Fernandinho then they will probably still win.
What do we think?
It is difficult to tell whether Guardiola is being genuine with his team news, but if he is, then the away side look to be slightly weaker defensively and it could be a big boost for Mourinho’s side.
Man City struggled without Laporte earlier on this season, while Fernandinho provides experience and Benjamin Mendy hasn’t enjoyed the best of times in recent seasons.