Manchester City will finally have Gabriel Jesus available for selection when they take on Tottenham on Saturday, but Pep Guardiola will know he cannot rely on the Brazilian alone to help his side get back to winning ways.
The 20 richest clubs in the world
City's various issues have been thrown into the spotlight following their 4-0 loss to Everton last weekend, and a game against Spurs, one of the league's form teams, comes at a difficult time.
Claudio Bravo is under pressure in goal, City's defence is leaking goals once again, the midfield is light of options and Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva and Sergio Aguero are struggling to create and convert chances.
That said, it should not be all doom and gloom around the Etihad Stadium as City are just three points behind Spurs in the Premier League table and can move level on points with a victory, but it will certainly not be easy.
MAN CITY INJURIES
City do not have any new injuries to be concerned about. Fernando should be back in contention after missing out at Everton last week, while Fabian Delph is also back in the squad.
Leroy Sane also returned at Goodison and may be thrown back into the line-up in a bid to peg back Spurs' youthful, energetic full-backs.
Vincent Kompany is also in contention to play but City are wary not to rush the Belgian's recovery from his latest setback.
Ilkay Gundogan will miss the rest of the season due to a serious knee injury.
MAN CITY SUSPENSIONS
Fernandinho is banned for this match and will also miss next weekend's FA Cup game at Crystal Palace.
Spurs have no suspensions to worry about.
MAN CITY POTENTIAL STARTING LINE-UP
The big question will be whether Gabriel Jesus is thrown straight into the starting line-up. Guardiola says he is reluctant to use the youngster as a wide player as he does not cover too much ground up and down the wings, and that will likely factor into his thinking given the presence of Kyle Walker and Danny Rose, who will look to exploit any spaces.
It would be no surprise if Jesus were to start on the bench.
Sexy goal panel & the rules we want to see
Sane, as already discussed, could be an option to start out wide, as he did in big games against Chelsea and Arsenal.
City could have a problem in midfield given the absence of Fernandinho. The Brazilian was moved forward for City's game at White Hart Lane in October and his replacement at the back of midfield, Fernando, was often harried by Spurs' midfielders.
Yaya Toure has shown much improved tactical discipline since returning to the team and could reprise the holding role he took up against Everton, and he could be partnered by David Silva dropping deep - the Spaniard would be more adept at escaping Spurs' press than Fernando, Pablo Zabaleta (who has played in midfield recently) and Fabian Delph, who has barely played in recent months.
Silva taking a deeper role would allow Sane and Raheem Sterling to play on the wings, with De Bruyne in the centre, his preferred role.
There are not too many options for City in defence, given all of their available full-backs are of similar age and, in terms of Tottenham's threat, vulnerability. And, with Kompany unlikely to return to the starting line-up, it looks like John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi will line up at the back again.
It has also been suggested that Claudio Bravo could be dropped for Willy Caballero, although Guardiola has been keen to defend the under-fire Chilean this season.
Another option could be a return to a back three. After Guardiola's back four were breached so easily by Everton, he may be persuaded to go back to the system he tried out earlier in the season but abandoned after damaging defeats by Chelsea and Leicester City.
Although it had its problems, it would allow an extra midfielder - probably Fernando to shore things up - and one fewer full-back to be got at. Here's how it could look.
TOTTENHAM DOSSIER
Mauricio Pochettino's side are one of the best in England and offer City fans a glimpse into how the Guardiola era could pan out for them.
WATCH: Inside Tottenham’s new stadium
In his third season Pochettino has Spurs playing vibrant attacking football with a strong defence and fine goalkeeper - what City wouldn't give for that right now.
But these things take time and Pochettino's progress at Spurs shows what can happen when a progressive coach is given the proper tools.
In Danny Rose and Kyle Walker the Londoners have two of the best full-backs in the league, while Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen have formed a fine partnership ahead of the impressive Hugo Lloris.
They have threats all over the pitch and a high intensity system which gets the best out of them. Victor Wanyama and Mousa Dembele form a formidable midfield, while Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane are in irresistible form.
One hope for City will be the absence of Vertonghen, who picked up an ankle injury against West Brom last weekend, though Guardiola's side will certainly have their work cut out.
BEST OPTA MATCH FACTS
-
Only Chelsea (7) have won more Premier League games away at the Etihad than Tottenham (6, level with Arsenal and Man Utd).
-
Spurs have won their last three Premier League games against Man City – they last won four in a row against them in May 2010.
-
Tottenham have won their last six league games in a row – they’ve not won seven consecutively since May 1967.
-
The only player to record more Premier League assists this season than Christian Eriksen (8) is Kevin de Bruyne (9).
-
The last 10 Premier League goals scored by Tottenham players have been netted by Harry Kane or Dele Alli (five each).
-
Hugo Lloris has conceded 11 goals in three Premier League appearances at the Etihad Stadium.
TV COVERAGE & KICK-OFF TIME
The game kicks off at 17:30 UK time on Saturday, January 21 and will be shown on BT Sport 1.
