City preview with Henry Winter of The Times

Henry Winter, highly-respected, award-winning Chief Football Writer at The Times, gives his insight into City and Monday's huge clash at Wembley in our latest 'Preview from the Press Box'.

City's form

Henry: "City are better this season. Maybe one or two of the World Cup players might have a dip but they have been phenomenal. Look at Raheem Sterling. He had a busy World Cup but actually, he’s been flying, he’s an even better player now. Sergio Aguero looks settled in, looks like he’s going to score loads of goals. He keeps setting new records at City. Ominously, they’ve got stronger."

This game

Henry: "I think if Spurs go on the front foot, they have a chance of getting at City – and the key player will be Harry Kane. There has been so much focus on him as a goalscorer but from what I’ve seen at Spurs and also the England game in Spain, Mauricio Pochettino seems to have made him into an even better player. He’s almost playing as a 10. You need two Harry Kanes, one as a nine, one as a 10! He could probably play in central midfield as an eight as well! He’s got that vision. Some of the passes...I think there was a game at Swansea last season when he played an unbelievable pass for Dele Alli to score. That’s not chance. He’s got that vision. He’s a special player and City will worry about him. Also, particularly if he drops off and plays in that role where Fernandinho creates a lot, that might disrupt City a bit. I don’t see this being one-way."

City's key player

Henry: "I think if you could man-mark anyone, you’d man-mark Ederson, the goalkeeper. He launches so much. I just think Raheem Sterling. Sterling at Wembley. He has a tattoo of the Arch on his forearm, he grew up in that area and he will be up for it."

Key area

Henry: "For me, if Harry Kane can get a little bit of space and release whoever is playing around him, like Lucas Moura, with that pace, then I think Spurs can have a real go. But you have to be brave, absolutely. If you sit deep, you’ll get whacked."

Prediction

Henry: "If I’m allowed to...I’ll have to go 2-1 to City."