Manchester City are set to lock horns with Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
While Pep Guardiola and Co may be considered the favourites to come out on top, the Catalan boss’ record against Spurs is far from perfect — with 11 wins, nine defeats and three draws against them in 23 games.
As a result, the Manchester City boss will not be getting carried away in the slightest after his side’s 4-0 win against Wolves as the Lilywhites have often caused upsets against the Sky Blues.
Thomas Frank hailed Pep Guardiola as the greatest manager to have ever graced the game and he will also be wary of City’s threat ahead of the blockbuster contest between the two sides.
Man City should be wary of Brennan Johnson ahead of Tottenham clash
With Mohammed Kudus proving to be an instant hit for Spurs by registering two assists against Burnley, all eyes could be on the Ghanaian winger to be the visitors’ difference-maker at the Etihad Stadium.
However, Guardiola should perhaps be even more worried about Brennan Johnson than Kudus as he prepares his Manchester City side to take on Tottenham for multiple reasons.
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Much like Son Heung-min, who often hurt Manchester City, Johnson is also a player who is adept at running in behind defences and scoring goals for fun — which could especially help the visitors as the hosts have struggled to defend against counter-attacks since last season.
With Pep Guardiola employing a high defensive line, the £47.5 million (Sky Sports) man could wreak havoc with his blistering pace and intelligent movement — much like he did against Burnley to score the North Londoners’ third goal during the weekend.
Last season as well, Johnson scored in Tottenham’s 4-0 mauling of Manchester City by being perfectly positioned to tap the ball into the back of the net.
While the Sky Blues’ emphatic victory against Wolves was encouraging, they had their fair share of issues in curbing Vitor Pereira’s side’s attack and with Bernardo Silva admitting Manchester City struggle defensively against quick breaks, the Welshman could be Spurs’ danger man this weekend.
Thomas Frank’s Brentford sides caused Manchester City issues on the break as well and unless the hosts’ defence steps up to the plate, a potential upset could be on the cards.
Brennan Johnson’s record vs Man City
The good news for City during their latest triumph was that Nico Gonzalez looked excellent against Wolves.
Furthermore, Johnson’s record against Manchester City is far from flawless, despite the potential threat he poses from Tottenham’s standpoint in the much-awaited fixture.
In eight appearances against Pep Guardiola’s side, the Europa League winner has won and lost two games apiece while sharing the spoils on four occasions.
With just a goal and an assist each to his name as well, the numbers may not be in the 24-year-old’s favour but taking the winger’s strengths into account, Manchester City must find ways to limit his influence.