Jamie Carragher: 'Crowd won't take Spurs anywhere tonight'
Jamie Carragher, former Liverpool defender, on Sky Sports:
City on a roll
Manchester City are really enjoying life at the moment.
It's fair to say they don't really get homesick, especially this time of year.
Pep Guardiola's side have won four Premier League away games on the trot, scoring 10 goals in their last three combined, while conceding none.
However, as we will go into depth later, they aren't always keen on a trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Will they be able to continue their fine form tonight?
What atmosphere will we get?
So, the fans are starting to arrive at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
I am interested to see what kind of atmosphere there will be tonight with the predicament Tottenham fans are in.
Many season ticket holders couldn't even bear the thought of turning up tonight, so returned their tickets to the club.
It means there could be a lot of empty seats inside the stadium tonight, which is a rarity.
It's such an odd situation...
Tottenham arrive early
What is going through their heads?
Surely, I mean surely, as competitive professional athletes, all Tottenham want to do is win tonight...
It's an interesting situation for them to be in, but to stay focused, they may have to block out all the noise.
Jamie Carragher: 'Spurs fans shouldn't want their team to win tonight'
Jamie Carragher, former Liverpool defender, on Sky Sports:
Should Spurs fans want to win?
I think Ange Postecoglou has made his opinion on this subject very clear...
However, what do all of you think?
Personally, I can understand the anguish Spurs fans, but I feel when the game gets going their will to win will subside their hate of Arsenal.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
Ange Postecoglou: ‘I will never understand if someone wants their own team to lose’
Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham boss, speaking on Monday:
Conflicting emotions for Spurs
Did Tottenham fans ever think that they would be in this position?
It feels like the majority of their fanbase is desperate for them to lose tonight. If they win they allow Arsenal to take pole position in the title race going into the final day.
You don’t need a genius to tell you that Spurs hate the Gunners, so it makes this a very sticky situation for them.
One Spurs fan told me they are not ‘hoping’ they lose but would be ‘happy to lose’ I think that statement shows the conflict perfectly.
Most Tottenham supporters would echo that statement, but not all do.
Another fan told me they want a Spurs win, despite not wanting Arsenal to win the league because they support their team and ‘City need to do it on their own’.
Contrasting thoughts…
What’s at stake
So, we know the title race is going to go to the final day.
However, that doesn’t mean that today won’t play a deciding factor in where the Premier League trophy ends up.
After Arsenal’s win at Old Trafford on Sunday, the Gunners sit top of the pile by one point.
A Tottenham win, or even get a draw, means Arsenal will be top going into the final day. Meanwhile, a City win means they will be two points clear and on course for a record fourth consecutive Premier League title.
Can Spurs aid bitter rivals title charge?
This is simply a situation all Spurs fans wanted to avoid.
If Tottenham beat Manchester City tonight, their north London rivals, Arsenal, will go into the final day one point clear of the Citizens at the summit of the Premier League.
There is no doubt that the Gunners fans will be supporting Tottenham for one night only, their destiny lies in their hands.
Or does it? We have to remember, City look unstoppable now, while Tottenham are far from their best form.
Even if Spurs do make a fight of it tonight, it doesn’t guarantee that they will be able to topple the Pep Guardiola’s team of juggernauts.
If they do though, they will have done their greatest enemies a huge favour.
‘Title decider’ at Tottenham
It’s arguably the biggest night of the season.
The build-up to tonight’s game between Tottenham and Manchester City has been bizarre, and that’s an understatement.
This game feels like it is going to decide the Premier League title race between City and Spurs’ bitter rivals, Arsenal.
However, Tottenham fans could think of nothing worse than seeing the Gunners lift the trophy aloft on Sunday, but if they beat the Citizens tonight, that becomes more than a distinct possibility.
I imagine it is going to be one of the strangest atmospheres we have seen, and the match could be the same. Stick with us to see how it will unfold.
I’m intrigued to see what will play out.
Key Updates
Should Spurs fans want to win?
‘Title decider’ at Tottenham