City v Spurs - Mauricio's preview

Mauricio Pochettino expects a ‘completely different game’ as we travel to Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday - just three days after our Champions League epic at the Etihad.

However, the manager is expecting the same spirit and competitiveness that took the team into the semi-finals of Europe’s elite competition on away goals after a thrilling quarter-final ended 4-4 on aggregate.

City remain hot on the heels of Liverpool in the title race - two points behind with a game in hand - while we’re fighting it out with Arsenal, Chelsea and United for a place in the top four.

“The Premier League is different and we are fighting for different things,” said Mauricio. “Manchester City are trying to win the Premier League and for us, it’s so important to be in the top four for next season.

“We need to assess the players and need to be sure we are going there competing with fresh legs with the possibility to fight and challenge them again. That’s why we’re working so hard now to try to assess the players in the right way and try to mix players who can be competitive and have the possibility to win.

“City have an unbelievable squad, they can change and rotate the starting 11 and keep the same level on the pitch. With all the circumstances and some injuries, maybe we need to think about playing with younger players, not without experience, but with plenty of energy and keeping the same ideas - to be brave and try to compete.

“It’s going to be tough but we need to think about recovery and try to design the best strategy to try to be competitive.”