Our Fixture In Focus this weekend is, unsurprisingly, Manchester City hosting Tottenham on Saturday evening. Fifth meet second as a modern rivalry continues to bubble away. Tottenham have had the better of their Premier League rivals of late, but memories of several thrashings are still raw for Spurs fans.

Mauricio Pochettino and Pep Guardiola are two of the world’s most fascinating managers. Excellent tacticians, the pairing met in a battle of the minds earlier this season and Pochettino was the undoubted victor. It was a turning point in the seasons of both clubs, in fact, and Manchester City have seldom looked quite the same since.

As Spurs look to build on their recent strong form, this match is about Manchester City finding a way to keep pace with the top four. Defensive disasters have haunted their season and they face a Spurs attack who have been clinical.

There is plenty for Guardiola to ponder. Here are THREE things his City side simply must do on Saturday to claim a win...

Avoid a back three

The temptation may be to match up with Spurs in all areas of the pitch, but Manchester City cannot afford another sucker-punch defeat. While the back three has its uses for City, adopting that formation against Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen is simply asking for trouble.

It will leave too many three-on-three situations and the risk of being exposed is severe. Manchester City’s current defenders are simply not good enough in such areas to be able to cope with that pressure.

Overload the flanks

Assuming Spurs continue with their 3-4-3, there is a huge emphasis on Kyle Walker and Danny Rose defensively and offensively. Just as he did against Chelsea, Guardiola should overload the wide areas.

This has two benefits. First of all, it will force Spurs’ centre-backs to come out and support Walker and Rose. Secondly, it could pin them into their own defensive third of the pitch and significantly limit Spurs’ threat.

Attack the space

Spurs will still push up the pitch when in possession, even against Manchester City. Mauricio Pochettino’s team will rely on their pressing to save their defence from being exposed on the turn. Although it may go against a lot of what Guardiola’s side have shown this season, they must willing to ‘beat the press’ with targeted, direct balls into the space behind the Spurs defence.

City have the pace to do serious damage and occasionally reminding Eric Dier and Toby Alderweireld that they are at threat of a foot race can do little harm.