Sports Mole

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that Son Heung-min will not feature in their EFL Cup last 16 clash with Manchester City on Wednesday night.

Son was brought back sooner than expected for the 4-1 win over West Ham United just over a week ago, with the Spurs captain scoring and playing 70 minutes against the Hammers.

A hamstring injury had kept the South Korean superstar out of representing his country in October's international break, and Son had also missed the matches against Manchester United, Ferencvaros and Brighton & Hove Albion prior to that.

However, Postecoglou made the brave decision to start Son on the return of club football, despite the player requiring a very late fitness test.

Son out of important cup tie vs. Man City

© Imago

A recurrence of the injury occurred after the West Ham win though, with Son reportedly feeling soreness in his hamstring, meaning he was left out of the side that edged past AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League.

However, Son was also unable to feature in the defeat to Crystal Palace at the weekend, as Spurs lost for a second away league game in succession.

Ahead of the clash with Man City in the last 16 of the EFL Cup, manager Postecoglou has confirmed that Son will not be risked, but should be fine to play against Aston Villa at the weekend in what feels like a must-win encounter on home soil.

Speaking to the media in his pre-match press conference, Postecoglou revealed: "Sonny, no. Well he is almost fit but we will probably from our perspective aim him for the weekend. We're quite confident he will be right for the weekend."

This setback will see Son sit out a sixth game in seven for Spurs, and deny him the opportunity of facing one of his favoured opponents.

Who could deputise for the injured Son?

Despite the level of Man City, Son has always had a knack of netting against English football's dominant force.

© Imago

Son has scored eight times against City in a Spurs shirt, with three of those coming in cup competitions, all across the two legs of their thrilling Champions League quarter-final in 2019.

Replacing that threat will be difficult for Postecoglou, who also confirmed that Wilson Odobert will remain on the sidelines.

"The only one missing out, which is a bit of a disappointment, is Wilson (Odobert). He's had a setback during the week and it seems like it's a serious one, so we're waiting for more information." the Spurs boss announced.

Seventeen-year-old Mikey Moore was handed his first Premier League start in the place of Son at Selhurst Park on Sunday, and could be given a chance to impress again against the English champions.

Richarlison and Timo Werner represent the other options available to Postecoglou out wide, while Dejan Kulusevski could move further forward from midfield if Spurs go slightly more cautious.

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After three years of failure in this competition, Manchester City will continue their quest for EFL Cup glory at Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth round on Wednesday night.

The Citizens are looking for their first success in this tournament since the 2020-21 term, whilst the Lilywhites are fighting to end a 16-year trophy drought across all major competitions, and here Sports Mole rounds up the team news for both clubs.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR vs. MANCHESTER CITY

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Out: None

Doubtful: Son Heung-min (thigh), Djed Spence (groin)

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Forster; Gray, Dragusin, Davies, Udogie; Sarr, Bentancur, Maddison; Werner, Johnson, Richarlison

MANCHESTER CITY

Out: Jeremy Doku (discomfort), Kevin De Bruyne (groin), Kyle Walker (thigh), Oscar Bobb (leg), Rodri (knee), Jack Grealish (knock)

Doubtful: None

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Ortega; Lewis, Stones, Braithwaite, Ake; O'Reilly, Savio, McAtee, Gundogan, Nunes; Foden

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou should aim for EFL Cup glory this season and put the club's trophy "curse" to bed, Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany has told Sports Mole.

Sixteen years have passed since Spurs supporters watched their side lift silverware, beating London rivals Chelsea 2-1 in the 2008 EFL Cup final at Wembley under former boss Juande Ramos.

Tottenham have since suffered defeat in four cup finals, three in the EFL Cup and one in the Champions League, while they also came up short in the 2016-17 Premier League title race as they finished second behind surprise champions Leicester City.

A number of high-profile names including Harry Redknapp, Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte all failed to win silverware in charge of Spurs, and Postecoglou is now the latest man tasked with ending the club's painful trophy drought.

If Spurs - who lost 1-0 at Crystal Palace in the Premier League last weekend - wish to progress deep into this season's EFL Cup, they must navigate their way past eight-time champions Man City when they lock horns in North London for a last-16 tie on Wednesday night.

McInerney: 'Spurs should aim to win EFL Cup'

McInerney has admitted that a much-changed Man City side could "crash out" of the EFL Cup in midweek and has explained why he is "not confident" ahead of their encounter with Spurs.

Having watched the Citizens enjoy plenty of success in the EFL Cup in recent years, with Pep Guardiola's side winning the competition five times between 2016 and 2021, McInerney believes that "success breeds success" and Spurs should push themselves to progress all the way in this season's competition, starting with a victory against 'one of the favourites' on Wednesday.

McInerney has also urged Postecoglou to not follow in the footsteps of former manager Pochettino, who 'prioritised' a top-four finish in the Premier League over winning a trophy during his time in North London.

Speaking to Sports Mole, McInerney said: "If I was Postecoglou, I would be aiming [to win the EFL Cup] because this is the kind of tournament Spurs could win given their attacking quality and the fact that they could knock out arguably the favourites, or one of them at very least. If I was him, I would go for it.

"I think success breeds success. I didn't really ever agree with Pochettino's priorities when he was at Spurs. I think he famously felt like top four was a trophy for them and he argued that it was sometimes more important.

© Imago

Should Spurs prioritise trophy over top-four finish?

"I think if I was managing Spurs, I would absolutely be aiming for a trophy. That has to be the priority. If I was a Spurs fan, I would take sixth and a trophy over fourth this season.

"I know they might not agree, but that silverware is just so much more important than Champions League. I know the money's there (in that competition), but they're not going to win the Champions League. Maybe I'm wrong there, but just aim for a trophy and aim to put that curse you've had for such a long time to bed."

McInerney added: "There's also something nice about winning a trophy at the end of February or start of March. Winning the Carabao Cup is a really nice springboard for the end of the season because you get a taste of success.

"You have your big day out, you celebrate success, and then you have two more months of the season left and you're playing knowing that you can win something. I think that's quite empowering. I feel like Spurs should go for it.

"I hope City beat them, obviously. I just feel like City's priorities are lying elsewhere this season, especially given the size of the squad."

Meanwhile, McInerney has suggested that Guardiola will rotate his side on Wednesday and should rest star players including top scorer Erling Haaland, who netted twice in a 2-0 Premier League with at Tottenham in May last season.

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Erling Haaland will be looking to continue his stellar goalscoring form at the beginning of the 2024-25 season as Manchester City visit Tottenham Hotspur in the EFL Cup on Wednesday night.

The striker is unlikely to start the match in North London, with Pep Guardiola hinting towards heavy rotation of his XI ahead of a hectic schedule before the November international break.

Finding the net for the 11th time in nine Premier League matches on Saturday afternoon, Haaland did the damage to Southampton at the Etihad, with his fifth-minute strike proving to be the decisive moment of the contest.

Ahead of Haaland's potential trip to North London on Wednesday, Sports Mole takes a look at the Norwegian's overall record versus Tottenham.

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Erling Haaland's record vs. Tottenham Hotspur

Played: 4

Won: 2

Drawn: 1

Lost: 1

Goals: 3

Assists: 1

Since joining Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2022, Haaland has faced Tottenham on four occasions, all of which have occurred in the Premier League.

The striker's debut against Spurs also saw his maiden goal in the fixture in January 2023, when he headed home from close range past Hugo Lloris to equalise for the Citizens, who went on to win the Etihad contest 4-2.

Haaland's only defeat against the North Londoners arrived later in the 2022-23 term, with Pep Guardiola's side firing a blank and losing 1-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Norwegian failed to find the net in back-to-back games versus Spurs but did provide an assist during the 3-3 thriller at the Etihad in the Premier League last season.

Haaland was the star of the show in the most recent meeting between Man City and Tottenham, with the towering forward bagging a brace in North London, putting one hand on a fourth straight English title for the Citizens in May 2024.

Looking to book their spot in the quarter-finals, Tottenham Hotspur will welcome Manchester City to North London for a fourth-round clash in the EFL Cup.

The Lilywhites are aiming to bounce back quickly from a disappointing afternoon at Selhurst Park on Sunday afternoon, when Crystal Palace recorded their maiden win of the Premier League term at the expense of the visitors.

Winning four of their opening nine top-flight fixtures, Ange Postecoglou's side are occupying eighth place in the Premier League standings, five points behind Aston Villa in the lowest of the Champions League spots.

Tottenham will be striving for a morale-boosting win over Man City, and here Sports Mole wraps up the latest injury and suspension news for Spurs ahead of Wednesday's EFL Cup showdown.

Son Heung-min

© Imago

Status: Major doubt

Type of injury: Thigh

Possible return date: November 3 (vs. Aston Villa)

Son has missed the last two matches of Tottenham versus AZ Alkmaar and Crystal Palace due to a thigh injury, meaning that it is highly unlikely that the South Korean will be risked on Wednesday night in the EFL Cup.

Djed Spence

© Imago

Status: Major doubt

Type of injury: Groin

Possible return date: November 3 (vs. Aston Villa)

A last-minute scorer during the comeback success over Coventry City during the third round in September, Spence is set to miss the visit of Manchester City, although the right-back is scheduled for a return to training this week.

TOTTENHAM'S SUSPENSION LIST

Tottenham have no players suspended for Wednesday's match.

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Manchester City are set to hand a first-team start to 16-year-old defender Kaden Braithwaite on Wednesday night when they face Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth round of the EFL Cup.

With four away matches to come over the next 11 days for the Citizens, Pep Guardiola is expected to heavily rotate his side from the one which narrowly beat Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

Stefan Ortega will take the spot in between the sticks as Ederson drops to the bench, whilst defenders such as Nathan Ake and John Stones could provide a sprinkling of first-team steel to the back four.

With Rodri sidelined for the remainder of the season with a cruciate ligament injury, the Citizens are exploring new options in the engine room, with 19-year-old Nico O'Reilly preparing to start at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Guardiola has stated that he is not willing to take any risks in terms of team selection for this EFL Cup clash, meaning that Erling Haaland, Manuel Akanji and Ruben Dias might not even feature in the matchday squad.

Both starting the third-round success over Watford last month, Jack Grealish (knock) and Jeremy Doku (discomfort) are occupying beds in the Man City medical room.

The Citizens have failed to provide specific return dates for Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne, who are fighting back from thigh and groin issues respectively.

Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ortega; Lewis, Stones, Braithwaite; Ake, O'Reilly, Savio, McAtee, Gundogan, Nunes; Foden

> Click here to see how Tottenham could line up for this fixture

No Data Analysis info

Aiming to end their 16-year trophy drought, Tottenham Hotspur will welcome English champions Manchester City to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for an EFL Cup fourth-round clash on Wednesday night.

The Lilywhites will be looking to bounce back following a loss at Crystal Palace on Sunday, whilst the Citizens are striving to build on a narrow win over struggling Southampton a day earlier.

Match preview

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Following back-to-back wins in North London over West Ham United and AZ Alkmaar since the return of club football after the international break, Tottenham's early-season inconsistency reared its ugly head once again on Sunday afternoon, when the Lilywhites handed Crystal Palace their maiden win of the campaign.

The visitors to Selhurst Park did little to deserve anything tangible from their trip across the capital, with an unforgivable chunk of lazy build-up from the back allowing towering striker Jean-Philippe Mateta to net his third goal of the league campaign, securing maximum points for the Eagles.

After their fifth-placed finish and subsequent Europa League qualification during Ange Postecoglou's first season at the club, another push for Champions League football is the remit for Tottenham in 2024-25, however Wednesday's hosts are currently occupying eighth spot in the Premier League standings.

Despite facing English and European powerhouses Manchester City in a last-16 tie, this competition arguably represents the best chance for Spurs to lift their first piece of major silverware since the EFL Cup final triumph of 2008, when goals from Dimitar Berbatov and Jonathan Woodgate sealed a 2-1 success over Chelsea at the Wembley final.

Postecoglou's troops were two minutes away from an embarrassing third-round exit last month at the home of Championship outfit Coventry City, however last-gasp strikes from right-back Djed Spence and winger Brennan Johnson spared the blushes of a much-changed Spurs starting XI.

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Since the 1-1 draw at St James' Park on September 28, Manchester City have enjoyed a flawless October schedule, winning five straight contests across the Premier League and Champions League, including a one-goal success over relegation-threatened Southampton at the Etihad on the weekend.

Finding the net for the 11th time in the Premier League on his ninth appearance in 2024-25, Erling Haaland must have thought he had opened the floodgates on the blue side of Manchester after breaching the goal of Aaron Ramsdale in the fifth minute, although the Citizens were forced to settle for a narrow victory over the Saints.

After back-to-back wins and clean sheets at the Etihad over the past week, Pep Guardiola's troops now face a daunting four-match away run in the space of 11 days prior to November's international break, meaning that the Premier League champions' close-knit squad will be pushed to the limit.

Wednesday's visitors to North London have loosened their chokehold on this competition in recent times following a period of domination during the late 2010s and early 2020s, with the Citizens exiting the EFL Cup at the quarter-final stage or earlier in two of the last three seasons.

Man City have already bettered their third-round exit of the 2023-24 campaign at the hands of Newcastle by squeezing past second-tier side Watford at the Etihad last month, with first-half goals from Jeremy Doku and Matheus Nunes rendering Tom Ince's late strike a mere consolation for Tom Cleverley's Hornets.

Tottenham Hotspur EFL Cup form:

Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):

Manchester City EFL Cup form:

Manchester City form (all competitions):

Team News

© Imago

Tottenham are expected to be without the services of Son Heung-min, with the talismanic South Korean missing matches against AZ Alkmaar and Crystal Palace over the past week owing to a thigh injury.

At just 17 years of age, academy graduate Mikey Moore was handed his full Premier League debut at Selhurst Park on Sunday, and the exciting attacker could be in line for another starting berth on Wednesday night.

A goalscoring hero during the third-round success over Coventry last month, Spence is set to be sidelined until late November due to a groin issue.

Deeming Wednesday's trip to Tottenham as the least important of the upcoming quartet of away fixtures, Man City boss Guardiola is set to rotate his side heavily, with the Spaniard suggesting that he could use a raft of academy players.

Earning game time in the previous round versus Watford, 16-year-old Kaden Braithwaite and Nico O'Reilly could be in line for spots in the XI once again.

First-team stars such as Kevin De Bruyne (groin) and Kyle Walker (thigh) remain sidelined without specific return dates, adding to the lack of options for the Citizens.

Man City also have a pair of long-term absentees, with Oscar Bobb sidelined until the New Year, whilst Rodri will not play again this season following a cruciate ligament injury.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Forster; Gray, Dragusin, Davies, Udogie; Sarr, Betancur, Maddison; Werner, Johnson, Richarlison

Manchester City possible starting lineup:

Ortega; Lewis, Stones, Braithwaite, Ake; O'Reilly, Savio, McAtee, Gundogan, Nunes; Foden

We say: Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Manchester City

With Manchester City set to include a number of academy players in their squad, Tottenham will sense the opportunity to book their spot in the quarter-finals on Wednesday night.

That being said, a Guardiola side littered with first-team stars should still be more than a match for the Lilywhites, who we expect to exit the EFL Cup following a narrow defeat in North London.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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Tottenham Hotspur may have allegedly received a blow in their efforts to sign Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo.

Since the start of the season, head coach Ange Postecoglou has made a point of saying that he generally wins trophies in his second year in charge of a team.

However, on Sunday afternoon, Spurs suffered their fourth defeat in nine Premier League fixtures as they went down by a 1-0 scoreline at Crystal Palace.

Scoring goals has generally not been a problem, however. Only Manchester City (20) and Chelsea (19) have scored more than the North Londoners (18) in the top flight during 2024-25.

Nevertheless, succumbing to a defeat against a Palace side that had previously not won in the Premier League this season will be of concern to Postecoglou.

© Imago

Spurs suffer blow in Semenyo chase?

Despite signing a number of young talent across the summer and the emergence of Mikey Moore, Spurs are expected to continue their pursuit of fresh talent over the coming transfer windows.

A recent report indicated that Spurs have become admirers of Semenyo, who has become a first-team regular at Bournemouth under Andoni Iraola.

However, according to Football Insider, Bournemouth may be ready to react to the interest and their player's impressive form.

Having been an ever-present in the Cherries' starting lineup in the Premier League this campaign, Semenyo has chipped in with three goals and one assist.

That is on the back of penning a five-year contract in the summer to strengthen Bournemouth's position when it comes to fending off any proposals from bigger clubs.

That said, it is alleged that another new contract, potentially with a pay-rise may be on its way for the 24-year-old, particularly if he continues to impress.

Mick Brown, a former scout for Manchester United, Spurs and West Ham United who was speaking to the outlet, is of the opinion that Bournemouth may need to react courtesy of the increasing level of interest being led by Semenyo's agents.

Bournemouth in line to make huge profit?

Having cashed in on Dominic Solanke during the summer transfer window, Bournemouth are no longer in a position where they have to desperately make any big-money sales.

Nevertheless, there will be an acknowledgement that opportunities could arise to make a substantial profit on the £10m that they paid Bristol City in January 2023.

Since then, Semenyo has contributed 12 goals and three assists in 53 Premier League appearances, 17 of those outings coming as a substitute.

Tottenham Hotspur 17-year-old Mikey Moore will make his first Premier League start in Sunday's Premier League clash with Crystal Palace.

The 2007-born winger - who has already started against Ferencvaros and AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League this season - has been chosen by Ange Postecoglou to replace captain Son Heung-min, who misses out through injury once again.

Moore will start on the left flank ahead of Timo Werner, who must accept a place on the bench amid his current wasteful streak, while Wilson Odobert misses out entirely following his recent recovery from a hamstring injury.

Moore for Son is the only change that Postecoglou has made to his starting XI from the 4-1 win over West Ham United last weekend, while Palace head coach Oliver Glasner has made three alterations to the side that lost 1-0 to Nottingham Forest on Monday.

Ex-Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah is one of the players to lose his place as Jean-Philippe Mateta is recalled to the attack, while Ismaila Sarr also replaces Daichi Kamada in the final third.

Finally, Adam Wharton makes an expected return to the hosts' XI over Will Hughes, having been an unused substitute in the defeat to Forest following a minor injury.

Tottenham starting lineup: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Kulusevski, Bissouma, Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Moore

Subs: Forster, Davies, Dragusin, Gray, Bentancur, Sarr, Bergvall, Werner, Richarlison

Manchester City will be aiming to make it six wins in a row in all competitions when they travel to Tottenham Hotspur in the last-16 stage of the EFL Cup on Wednesday night.

Pep Guardiola's side will enter the match off the back of a 1-0 victory over Southampton in the league, with the result moving them two points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

The Citizens, who recorded a 2-1 victory over Watford in the last stage of the competition, are eight-time winners of the League Cup, with their last success in the competition coming back in 2020-21.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up Man City's latest injury and suspension news ahead of the contest with Ange Postecoglou's side at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Rodri

Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: Unknown

Man City will be without the services of Rodri for the rest of the campaign after he suffered knee ligament damage in the clash with Arsenal earlier this season.

Oscar Bobb

Status: Out

Type of injury: Leg fracture

Possible return date: Unknown

Oscar Bobb sustained a leg fracture ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, but he is now in the latter stages of his recovery, with Guardiola recently revealing that the attacker is targeting a return between January and February of next year.

Kevin De Bruyne

Status: Out

Type of injury: Groin

Possible return date: Unknown

De Bruyne has missed Man City's last eight matches with a groin injury; the Belgium international has returned to training, but it is still unclear when the experienced attacker will be available for selection.

Kyle Walker

Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: Unknown

Walker, who has only featured on seven occasions this season, was again absent against Southampton on Saturday due to a knee problem, and it is unclear when the England international will be available for selection once again.

Jack Grealish

Status: Out

Type of injury: Knock

Possible return date: November 2 (vs. Bournemouth)

Grealish will again be unavailable for selection against Tottenham in the EFL Cup, but the England international should be fit for Man City's clash with Bournemouth in the Premier League on November 2.

Jeremy Doku

Status: Out

Type of injury: Muscle

Possible return date: November 9 (vs. Brighton)

Doku was another absentee against Southampton, with the attacker dealing with an unspecified knock, and Guardiola has said that he will be out for longer than Grealish, suggesting at a potential return the week after the Englishman.

MANCHESTER CITY'S SUSPENSION LIST