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Spurs aim to keep CL dream alive

In Carlos Tevez's absence from the starting XI, Edin Dzeko has a chance to prove his quality © Getty Images

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With both teams left with three games to claim an important place in the Champions League, Manchester City host Tottenham in the Premier League on Tuesday night knowing that a win would guarantee them a seat at Europe's top table for next season.

Fourth place would mean joining the Champions League qualifiers with a view to landing a place in the lucrative group stages, but it would be uncharted territory for City's nouveau riche and could yet get better if they can capitalise on Arsenal's poor form to sneak into third. Consequently it would be a blow to Spurs after such success in their inaugural appearance in the competition and, with Liverpool chasing hard, Europa League football is yet to be confirmed either.

City have the cash, the players and the manager, but lack the experience of a fight for success in the latter stages of a season. A 2-1 defeat to Everton at the weekend showed their vulnerability and they have struggled for form without injured talisman Carlos Tevez. The Argentine may return to prove his fitness for the FA Cup final against Stoke in their next game but, with the chance to break their silverware drought for the first time since 1976, City's focus on fourth spot is understandably distracted.

Spurs have enjoyed an exciting season through their exploits in the Champions League, but have dropped points after European games - most notably in a 3-1 defeat to Blackpool and 0-0 draws with West Ham and Wigan. Their hopes of claiming a place in the competition again next season revolve around Tuesday night and are boosted by an away record against City that sees them victorious in six of their last seven games; although the Citizens have lost only twice this season at Eastlands.

A number of injury woes to key players like Ledley King and Gareth Bale sees Spurs come into the game under-strength and on a run of form that has seen them win just one of their last nine Premier League games. However, despite their progress in Europe, their trip to City is their biggest game of the season and they should be highly motivated to keep the good times coming at White Hart Lane.

Manchester City player to watch: Joleon Lescott. In the absence of the still suspended Kolo Toure, Lescott has come to the fore to plug the gap in the centre of defence. A strong and powerful player, the England international caught the eye of Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp before making a big money move to Eastlands and his partnership with Vincent Kompany is an important one. Good in the air, Lescott's positioning is sometimes suspect and both aspects of his game will be tested by Spurs' varying strikeforce.

Tottenham player to watch: Heurelho Gomes. The Brazilian has verged from the sublime to the ridiculous since arriving at Tottenham from PSV in 2008. Initially, many pundits wondered if he would make it at the highest level after a number of blunders, but he showed good resolve to turn his fortunes around. However, Gomes now finds himself in another trough as mistakes against Chelsea and Blackpool cost his side dearly. On his day, he can win a match for Spurs, but he's lost more than he's won of late.

Key Battle: Nigel de Jong v Rafael van der Vaart. The two Dutchman will be well acquainted with each other as members of the Netherlands side that reached the 2010 World Cup final, and each ply their trade in very different ways. Van der Vaart has been heralded as one of the signings of the season after his displays in an attacking capacity for Spurs, while De Jong's bite and tenacity have formed an important part of the City midfield - even if his style of play has hardly won him friends. Van der Vaart loves to drop deep and dictate the play and De Jong will have to marshal his every move if he is to blunt his international team-mate's threat.

Trivia: Jermain Defoe has scored against 30 of the 35 different teams that he has played against in the Premier League and no player has given away more penalty kicks in the Premier League than Heurelho Gomes (5).

Stats: City have lost six out of seven of their last games against Spurs at home, while the last five Premier League games involving Tottenham have seen a total of 20 goals scored, an average of four per game.

Odds: Man City (2.00), Spurs (4.00) and the draw (3.30) are on offer with bet365 and Yaya Toure to score anytime is 3.75.

Prediction: City will have one eye on their Wembley appearance but should have enough to hold a Spurs side shorn of confidence. A Gomes howler could help their cause.

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