TEAM NEWS

Mario Balotelli and Micah Richards are available for Manchester City after missing Monday's trip to Wigan through injury.

But they are without the suspended Vincent Kompany, while Yaya and Kolo Toure are on international duty.

Emmanuel Adebayor is ineligible for Spurs under the terms of his loan move from City, meaning Jermain Defoe is likely to start.

Ledley King, sidelined for the last four weeks, remains a major doubt.

MATCH PREVIEW

I start to go all misty-eyed thinking about this fixture! From Spurs' 3-2 win in the 1981 FA Cup final replay, to City winning 5-1 at White Hart Lane at the start of this season - these two have played out many memorable games in my lifetime.

I'm obviously hoping that this time will be something special too, but can already sense a tension in the air around the Etihad Stadium. Roberto Mancini's almost carefree nature of the season's early weeks has given way to a sterner, card-waving persona - symptomatic of the pressure that leading the way for so long brings.

Last Monday's 1-0 win at Wigan will have brought just as much pleasure to the Italian as the win at Spurs or even the 6-1 at Old Trafford in October, because it got City back on track after a mini-wobble in the cups this month. I even heard it described as a 'Mourinho result' - and he won Premier League titles.

Harry Redknapp's never made any great play of his team's title credentials, merely answering in "why not?" fashion when the question has been posed. Currently on a run of seven league games unbeaten, if Spurs get their seventh win in 11 visits to City's 21st century home then the gap between the teams will be just two points. "Why not?" indeed.

The last two instances of this fixture have effectively been end-of-season eliminators for the final available Champions League place. They each finished 1-0, both decided by Peter Crouch goals - one in the right net, one in his own.

This time both clubs have designs on entering next season's Champions League as genuine champions.

If City maintain their 100% home league record by winning a game of this magnitude without Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure then my money's back on them. After Sunday, Sheik Mansour's got nine days left to gamble on their title bid with some real money.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

Man City

Tottenham

TEAM NEWS

Thierry Henry's hopes of his first Arsenal league start since 2007 could be dashed by a calf strain.

Defender Thomas Vermaelen is a major doubt with a similar problem, which has already ruled out Mikel Arteta.

Manchester United pair Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are available after both missed last weekend's win over Bolton with minor injuries.

Anderson is currently sidelined after suffering a training-ground injury.

MATCH PREVIEW

There may be new, blue money over to the west of London and the east of Manchester. But this is a fixture which bristles with old-school tradition; a fixture which has become one of the Premier League's enduring themes.

It's a game which has long been overseen by the guiding hands of Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger playing out a rivalry that has encompassed their mutual dislike and, more recently, grudging respect. For the record, this will be the 47th time that the two managers have locked horns - and Fergie edges it 21 wins to 16.

At times, this fixture has thrown up games so good they border on high art. On other occasions, it's been about throwing pizza. Savour the personalities and personality clashes resonating through the years: Wright and Schmeichel, Keown and Van Nistelrooy, Keane and Vieira. If Scholes and Henry play, it'll be just like the good old days.

Over the Fergie/Wenger years they have played out title deciders, FA Cup semi-finals and a final - and a Champions League semi-final. In recent years, United have had the clear advantage - winning seven and losing just one of the last nine meetings, culminating in the 8-2 humiliation for Arsenal in August.

Uncharacteristically, United seemed to take their eye off the ball against Blackburn and Newcastle and let slip a great opportunity to apply pressure on City at the top. There are still doubts about this team, particularly defensively, and after playing Arsenal they will take on Liverpool in the FA Cup, Stoke, Chelsea and Liverpool again in the league, and then Ajax in the Europa League. That's the kind of run designed to sort out the men from the boys, the kind of challenge Ferguson's teams normally thrive on.

Meantime, Arsenal's dreaded inconsistency has returned with a vengeance. Back-to-back league losses at Fulham and Swansea have infuriated Wenger, particularly after they worked so hard to make up lost ground on the top four. What represents a good result for United and Arsenal? That may be determined by the outcome of the earlier Manchester City versus Tottenham game - but, suffice to say, this has never been a game to lose.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

Arsenal

Manchester United

Sunderland have several fitness concerns for the New Year's Day game, including Kieran Richardson who has missed training because of illness.
Defenders Phil Bardsley and Titus Bramble both picked up injuries on Boxing Day and are doubtful.
Manchester City in contrast have a near full-strength squad to choose from with the exception of Carlos Tevez.
Micah Richards returns following a calf strain, while Aleksandar Kolarov is back after six games out.

New Year's Day at the Stadium of Light serves up the perfect fixture for many to remember 'Auld Lang Syne'.

A first home defeat for O'Neill won't burst his bubble yet. A win would send it soaring higher still, and generate a few headlines about City's title challenge going 'pop'

Why? Well, if you'll allow me to wallow in nostalgia a little, it's because the Stadium's first game of the new year is a repeat of its first ever league game in August 1997 - and, particularly if you're a Manchester City fan, it's remarkable to think about what's changed in 14-and-a-bit-years.

The City team that lost 3-1 in that evening was: Margetson, I Brightwell, Wiekens, Symons, Kernaghan, Vaughan, Brannan, Horlock, Kinkladze, Bradbury, Rosler.

Some good names and decent footballers in there, but hardly the stellar names of the club's present day squad, AND it was a team that ended that season with relegation to the third tier of English football. Unimaginable in these heady days of Roberto Mancini and Sheik Mansour.

Sunderland have put their fans through the wringer more than a little in the intervening years as well, with three ups and two downs since they moved from Roker Park. They've had eight managers too, with the most welcome appointment being the one made less than a month ago.

Since taking charge, Martin O'Neill has managed two wins from four games, and sends his Sunderland team out for this one bidding to go three games unbeaten for the first time in over a year. By the players' own admissions, nothing much has changed - the difference for now has been just that extra lift in spirit that a new manager brings and the best managers maintain over time.

A first home defeat for O'Neill won't burst his bubble yet. A win would send it soaring higher still, and generate a few headlines about City's title challenge going 'pop'. How they start 2012 could be a pointer to whether or not the year will be momentous for the blue side of Manchester. With at least seven games to play before they're out of January, it's sure to be a busy one

Head-to-head

• There has not been a goalless draw between these sides in league football since 1938.
• Sunderland's 1-0 win in last season's corresponding victory was their first against Man City since December 2000 - Man City have won 11 of their 14 Premier League meetings.
• Manchester City have failed to win in their last two Previous League visits to the Stadium of Light, having won their previous four in a row.

Sunderland

• This will be Sunderland's 200th home game in the Premier League, they next goal they score will be the 400th of this period.
• The Black Cats have picked up seven points from their four league matches under Martin O'Neill to date - more than they picked up in their previous nine matches under Steve Bruce.
• The North East club have scored 22 league goals this term - fewer than Manchester City's two leading strikers combined - Sergio Aguero (13) and Edin Dzeko (10).
• Sunderland won just four home league games in 2011 but have only lost one of their last seven at the Stadium of Light.

Manchester City

• City's goalless draw with West Brom last time out was the first time they had failed to score in the Premier League since April's 3-0 defeat at Anfield.
• That game at the Hawthorns saw Roberto Mancini's men keep a third consecutive clean sheet in the league for the first time this season.
• Only Chelsea (49pts in 2005-06) have accrued more points from their opening 18 games of a Premier League season than Manchester City and Manchester United (45 pts) have this season.
• City's tally of 25 away goals in the Premier League is six more than the next best in the division (Manchester United & Arsenal, 19).

Nov 27, 2011 - Roberto Mancini and his Manchester City side are sitting at the top of the table, four points clear of the pack, heading into this matchup with Liverpool at Anfield. City will be looking to go seven points of local rivals Manchester United following United's draw with Newcastle. Liverpool will be looking to keep pace with Chelsea and Arsenal in pursuit of a place in the top four.

Kenny Daglish's men are coming off of a massive victory over Chelsea and have already beaten Liverpool and drawn with Manchester United during this term. The Reds have an excellent record of late against City, having gone unbeaten in the last eight matches, with six victories.

Daglish will likely be unable to start Jamie Carragher for the second straight week, but the former England international should be on the substitutes bench again. Winger Stewart Downing could be in line for a recall to the starting lineup as well. Downing is likely to replace Jordan Henderson, who's form has dipped of late.

City have no fresh injury concerns to worry about. Mario Balotelli is over his illness, but Roberto Mancini is still likely to rotate his squad following a disappointing result in the Champions League against Napoli. Sergio Aguero will likely start and Michah Richards should be recalled after being left out of the trip to Naples.

When the two sides last met, back in April at Anfield, Liverpool came away 3-0 winners. Andy Carroll netted twice for the Reds. That match was the last time City didn't manage to score in a league match, having managed 52 goals in 18 games since then. Liverpool are also the last team to score more than two goals against Mancini's side.

Given City's form in the league this season I would be very surprised if this visit to Anfield ended similar to the last one. Mancini's men will be likely out for blood after a disappointing result at mid-week and Liverpool, with their defense still a bit suspect without Carragher, could find themselves on the end of a lopsided result.

The Premier League's final two unbeaten records go on the line when leaders Manchester City host surprise package Newcastle United on Saturday.

Both sides have made fantastic starts to the season against a backdrop of contrasting expectations.

Mega-rich City were always expected to run perennial challengers Manchester United and Chelsea close in the race for the title, but even the most optimistic Eastlands supporters may have been shocked by their side's rampant start.

Previously conservative Italian boss Roberto Mancini has allowed his side to break free from their shackles and turned free-scoring City into the Premier League's most attractive attacking force - even without AWOL Carlos Tevez.

But the leaders, who have won 10 and drawn one of their 11 games, may find breaking down third-placed Newcastle's mean defence a tougher proposition.

The Magpies' rise up the table has been based on their solid defensive unit, with Alan Pardew's men the only team to have conceded fewer goals then City.

Few would have expected Newcastle, who replaced key players with cost-effective unknown quantities like Yohan Cabaye and Sylvain Marveaux over the summer, to be pitched among the two Manchester clubs and Chelsea in the top four.

They have made a blistering start which has yielded seven victories and four draws from their 11 matches.

However, critics would argue they have not been fully tested by any of the Premier League's big guns and face their sternest test of their credentials yet at the Etihad Stadium.

Newcastle winger Hatem Ben Arfa returns to the ground for the first time since suffering a double leg fracture in a challenge by City's Nigel de Jong in October last year.

Swansea host Manchester United on Saturday 19th November, 2011, with kickoff at 17:30. Live Football members can watch the full game live in the members area. If you are not yet a member, it only takes 30 seconds to sign up, and you can be watching the game in less than 1 minute.

The Swans are having a great year so far, doing much better than they and their fans would have expected, and playing a bit of decent football to boot. By contrast, United fans will be tearing their hair out at being five points behind that leaders, with a squad that is not as strong as they thought. Add to that the fact the leaders are their neighbours, and it isn’t being a great year for all in red.

This is a chance of three points for the away side, but they will need to be careful as Swansea are more than capable of turning the bigger teams over.

England hope to clinch their first win against Sweden in over 40 years as the two teams meet at Wembley on Tuesday. Fabio Capello's side are also looking to follow up Saturday's hard-fought 1-0 win over world and European champions Spain.

The friendly represents one of the final opportunities England have to test their squad ahead of the Euro 2012 tournament in the Ukraine and Poland.

The Swedes clinched their place in the competition as the best runners-up in the qualifying stages after finishing second in Group E, three points behind the Netherlands. In that campaign, they managed to beat the 2010 World Cup finalists in a 3-2 win in Solna last month.

They are also 14th in the FIFA rankings and will undoubtedly prove to be another useful test for the Three Lions. Few sides have had as much recent success over England, with Sweden unbeaten in their last 12 meetings, including a 2-2 draw in the last clash during the 2006 World Cup. Martin Peters, Bobby Charlton and Roger Hunt were the three names on the score-sheet the last time England beat Sweden, back in 1968.

Team news

Fabio Capello has rung the changes for the fixture, with up to nine changes expected to be made to the starting XI that beat Spain. The England manager may opt to go for a 4-4-2 formation, with Bobby Zamora leading the line alongside Danny Welbeck. Everton's Jack Rodwell and Tottenham's Kyle Walker, who both came on as second-half substitutes on Saturday, are both set to start. Chelsea defender John Terry is to play for England for the first time since being scrutinised over allegations of a racist comment made towards QPR defender Anton Ferdinand.

Terry will take the place of Phil Jagielka, who has a problem with a continuous toe injury.Gary Cahill and Leighton Baines complete a new-look defence for England, with Ashley Cole and Joleon Lescott making way.

Theo Walcott and Joe Hart are expected to be the only players to keep their place, with Gareth Barry and Stewart Downing also coming into the first team.Sweden could name a similar side to the one that lost 2-0 to Denmark on Friday, meaning Zlatan Ibrahimovic and former Bolton striker Johan Elmander start in attack.

Sunderland's Sebastian Larsson and ex-Aston Villa defender Olof Mellberg may also start at Wembley.

November 12th 2011 Kick off 17-30

England v Spain: Nimble Spanish have the class to expose madness of St George at Wembley

Three Lions on a shirt and one poppy on an armband, England take to Wembley's greensward on Saturday when all the off-field noise that follows them like cackling hyenas should be drowned out by the patter of tiny Spanish feet whisking the ball past them.

The madness of St George is a condition that deepens with every season, the chaos in contrast to the cultured Spanish. Like an insane soap opera, each international week brings more emotive episodes.

Poppies, John Terry and the Wags are three of the current storylines, all diverting attention from the real footballing issue: English frailties.

There is no hiding place at 5.15pm. The truth is out there on the pitch when Xavi and Andres Iniesta, David Silva and David Villa start passing the ball through England's midfield of Frank Lampard and Phil Jones and through a defence including Phil Jagielka and Joleon Lescott. For England, it could be death by a thousand cutting passes. This is John Bull versus Juan Matador.

Wembley has staged some fine shows down the years and this evening it should celebrate the Kings of Leon, Castille and Catalonia. Spain exude so much talent in their reserves, let alone first XI, that England must look and learn. The lessons are obvious: nurture more technical youngsters, do not rush kids into the 11-a-side fray, encourage patience and possession, introduce a winter break so the stars do not lose their sparkle come May and think about the game.

Football is about brains more than brawn. Watch Spain plotting moves like chess grandmasters. Kick-Off 17-30

Live on two rather large screens this Sunday at Tara Bars & Sports 5-30 KO

October 23rd United v City the Big one........

England vs. Montenegro – Euro 2012 Qualifier Match Preview

England know they only need to draw away tonight in Montenegro to secure Euro 2012 qualification in Poland and Ukraine next summer. Should be plain sailing for Fabio Capello’s men, right? RIGHT?

As an England supporter, you just never know. Ten years ago England looked certain to qualify for the World Cup after thrashing rivals Germany 5-1 in Munich, only to struggle in the final match against Greece and requiring a late and unbelievable David Beckham free to spare the blushes and secure qualification. There’ll be no David Beckham for tonight, and let’s hope it doesn’t get to the point where we need a moment of magic from the current generation of players. More recently the end of Steve McClaren’s reign came when a surprise 3-2 defeat to Croatia cost their place at Euro 2008.

Fabio Capello has expressed his desire to attack tonight and go out for the win, without holding back for the draw, as he is aware of just what a dangerous position they are in. Although they currently top Group G with six points after the hosts struggled against Wales and Bulgaria, if The Three Lions lose tonight automatic qualification is completely out of their hands and if Montenegro were to win mid-week, England would have to go into the gamble of the play-offs.

But we shouldn’t need to worry about that tonight. England have been completely professional in their unbeaten qualification run so far and that’s all it will take tonight to qualify.

Team News

As well as Capello’s tactics/future as England manager (he has reiterated the fact he won’t be in charge after the tournament) the pre-match talk has been over Wayne Rooney after the star striker’s father was arrested this week over involvement in an alleged betting scam. Capello has confirmed he will play “I found him relaxed and calm… There is no problem for the game, he will play against Montenegro.” Will his head be right tonight to get the job done for England? You only need to rewind the clock back a year to see that Rooney isn’t one of those players who can perform when personal problems are on his mind.

Favourite to partner Rooney tonight, surprisingly, is Fulham striker Bobby Zamora, with what would be only his second cap at 30 years of age. Danny Welbeck, Darren Bent and Andy Carroll have all been in great form for their clubs in recent weeks, banging in the goals, and we imagine it’s Capello’s choice of who he plays up front that might be most discussed if England don’t progress tonight.

In defence, Rio Ferdinand is ruled out as he fights to regain fitness leaving Gary Cahill and John Terry to continue their partnership at the back. If the game had been less important perhaps Phil Jones might have played after impressing for Man United, but it won’t come tonight. Though there is a chance Jones might play at right back with his club team mate Chris Smalling injured with a groin injury, though after Kyle Walker’s impressive display in the North London derby last week and Micah Richards getting use to winning games at Manchester City, those two will have something to say about that.

Perhaps the most important decisions in the game might come from Montenegro coach Branko Brnovic. He said in his pre-match conference that he intends to rest at least three key men tonight to instead field them against Switzerland on Tuesday, basically throwing in the towel tonight and trying to get a 2nd place play-off place (as they only need to avoid defeat in Basle on Tuesday) and it’ll just be a bonus if his side can get a draw/win tonight.