Just few weeks ago it was expected that this match would decide the outcome of the top 4 race, but following Tottenham’s recent struggles Manchester City are now hot favourites for the fourth-place finish.

This season is turning out to be quite a success for the Citizens as they have already secured the place in the FA Cup final as well as the final Champions League berth, and it is interesting that the Tottenham game comes just four days before the FA Cup final against Stoke.

Nonetheless, Roberto Mancini is expected to field a strong squad against Tottenham since a defeat would have a detrimental effect on City’s preparations for the FA Cup final.

Carlos Tevez is a major doubt with a hamstring problem, but Micah Richards should return to the starting line-up after recovering from injury.

City lost to Everton at the weekend despite taking the lead through Yaya Toure, but bearing in mind that they have won seven straight home games, odds of 2.05 (21/20) offered by William Hill on home win do look tempting.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Hart – Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov – Toure, De Jong, Barry – Silva, Balotelli, Johnson.

Despite spending a big part of the season very close to the top of the standings, Tottenham are now in a position to fight for the Europa League place, after losing all chances to achieve a top 4 finish.

Draining Champions League campaign has clearly taken the wind out of their sails and prevented them from challenging for another Champions League berth.

After taking just three points from their last four league games, Spurs are in danger of slipping out of the European places, but seeing that Harry Redknapp stated that he was not interested in playing in Europa League, Tottenham players will not have a lot of motives in this match.

Tottenham not only failed to beat Blackpool at the weekend but they also lost Gareth Bale in the process, with the Welsh winger set to miss the match through ankle injury.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Tom Huddlestone are likely to miss out as well, while Ledley King, Alan Hutton, Wilson Palacios and Jonathan Woodgate remain long-term worries.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-1-1): Gomes – Kaboul, Gallas, Dawson, Corluka – Lennon, Modric, Sandro, Rose – van der Vaart – Crouch.