Manchester City host Tottenham this evening (5.30pm kick-off) knowing that a win would take them level on points with Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

Pep Guardiola’s City were thumped 4-0 by Everton last weekend to all but end their Premier League title hopes for this season, as they fell ten points behind league leaders Chelsea following their win at Leicester.

It means that the Citizens slipped out of the top four after their fifth league defeat of the campaign, but they have the chance to state their intent once again when Tottenham visit the Etihad Stadium today.

Spurs are the form team in the Premier League having won their last six matches in a row, a run which has taken them up to second and seven points adrift of Antonio Conte’s Chelsea.

Pochettino’s men battered West Brom 4-0 last weekend in one of their best performances of the season and, given that they have scored 14 goals in their last four league games, they will take some stopping in the North West this evening.

With the build-up well underway ahead of today’s clash, we have analysed the THREE key battles would could determine the outcome at the Etihad…

Toby Alderweireld vs Sergio Aguero

One of the Premier League’s best defenders against one of the Premier League’s best strikers, the battle between Toby Alderweireld and Sergio Aguero should be a fascinating one.

Spurs’ centre-back was arguably the best in the league last season, and played every one of their 38 league games last season in a backline which conceded just 35 goals, the joint-least alongside Manchester United.

However, without defensive partner Jan Vertonghen, it will be interesting to see how the Belgian international deals with Aguero who, as we all know, causes all defenders problems when he’s at his best.

The Argentine hasn’t quite been firing in recent weeks, but he has still scored 11 Premier League goals in just 15 appearances this term, yet you still sense that he’s not quite at his very best.

However, a battle against Alderweireld is likely to bring the best out of Aguero, as he’ll need to be at that level to get past the Tottenham defender this afternoon.

Danny Rose vs Bacary Sagna

Pochettino’s use of wing-backs in recent weeks have been a revelation, such is their excellent form, so it’s likely that he’ll persist with that against City.

What will be interesting is how Guardiola responds to that, and whether he himself plays three at the back to match up, or four at the back like in the last few games.

Given how poorly they’ve defended in recent times, he may change a few things, but one thing he has to be wary of is Danny Rose’s role as Spurs’ left wing-back.

The England international has been in sensational form this season, scoring twice and laying on two assists, while the likely starter for City, Bacary Sagna, has arguably been their best defender this season, even though that’s not anything to shout home about.

Rose’s athleticism and desire to get up and down the flanks will be a nuisance to Sagna, who will need to be at his best defensively to thwart Spurs down the left, but also look to give City an outlet when they need to avert pressure.

It’ll be a fascinating battle down the Spurs left.

Nicolas Otamendi vs Harry Kane

If Nicolas Otamendi defends like he did against Everton, than Harry Kane will have a field day at the Etihad Stadium this evening.

The England international is in red-hot form after his hat-trick against West Brom last weekend, which took his tally to six goals in four Premier League games, and 13 for the season.

His ratio of 105 minutes per goal is the best of any player who has netted over ten goals in the league this season, which means that Otamendi, as well as the rest of the City defence, will have to be at their best against him.

The Argentine international is the senior defender in that City side with Vincent Kompany out injured, so it’s up to him to take the lead in marshalling Kane and organising the back four.

Otamendi was one of many City defenders that underperformed against Everton – a much-improved display is needed today if they are to get the better of in-form Tottenham.