Premier League: Tottenham travel to Manchester City hoping to take advantage

Manchester City's mentality will be given another stern examination when they host Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

The defending Premier League champions have experienced a tricky season and Tuesday's draw with Ajax leaves them on the brink of UEFA Champions League elimination. City have failed to find anything like the form of their previous campaign and manager Roberto Mancini's position has come under scrutiny as a consequence. The Etihad Stadium club sit third in the Premier League and could trail derby rivals Manchester United by five points come Sunday's lunchtime kick-off against Tottenham. Sixth-placed Spurs will therefore want to take advantage of the uncertainty at City and a win would move Andre Villas-Boas' team to within two points of their hosts. But Tottenham, who suffered a shock home defeat by Wigan Athletic last weekend, are still facing a huge task as they bid to end City's 34-game unbeaten run at home in the league. One man who will be determined to upset City is former striker Emmanuel Adebayor, who could start along with Jermain Defoe after the latter's Europa League hat-trick against Maribor.Defender Joleon Lescott (back) and midfielder James Milner (hamstring) were the latest additions to Manchester City's casualty list and both have missed the last two games. Right-back Micah Richards (knee) remains out and it is still not certain when midfielders David Silva and Jack Rodwell (both hamstring) will return. Full-back Maicon made a comeback from a foot injury as an unused substitute against Ajax.Tottenham midfielder Sandro has a chance of recovering from a calf injury for Sunday's game, manager Villas-Boas has said. Villas-Boas must decide whether to stick with Hugo Lloris or recall Brad Friedel in goal and Adebayor could make his first league start of the season. Mousa Dembele (hip), Scott Parker (Achilles), Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Younes Kaboul (both knee) are unavailable.