Follow live coverage of Leicester City vs Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League today
Pep Guardiola is well-known for frequently altering his team’s tactics, especially when they are performing well.
The Manchester City manager fears becoming complacent and letting opponents decipher his strategy, prompting him to adapt just as much following title wins as he does after his occasional setbacks. Given that he has secured four consecutive league titles for the first time, we might anticipate an even more significant transformation for the 2024-25 season.
His starting lineup during the 2-0 win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in City’s 2024-25 Premier League opener was largely reminiscent of last season’s, with the notable inclusion of new signing Savinho.
The incorporation of both Savinho and Jeremy Doku gave City two ‘true’ wingers, emphasizing pure dribbling—an approach Guardiola has seldom employed in recent years. This strategy seemed to draw inspiration from his initial title-winning City squad in 2017-18, which featured Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane positioned wide.
Sterling and Sane were consistently placed on their respective ‘natural’ sides—the right-footed Sterling on the right wing and the left-footed Sane on the left. Likewise, on Sunday, Doku occupied the right flank while Savinho took the left, following a similar tactic.
However, following an early mishap when Doku failed to connect properly with a cross and later misfired a shot after cutting inside, it became evident that things were not proceeding smoothly. After 15 minutes, City’s wingers exchanged sides; this was their choice, Guardiola clarified, not a directive from him.
From that moment, Guardiola’s tactics were not limited to inverted wingers; he effectively implemented inverted No. 8s as well. Traditionally, he positions Kevin De Bruyne in the inside-right channel, while Bernardo Silva typically occupies a similar position from the left. In this instance, however, De Bruyne played on the left side against Chelsea, with Bernardo stationed on the right throughout the match.
At times, De Bruyne ventured even wider, positioning himself far left and hugging the touchline, potentially looking to capitalize on Cole Palmer’s defensive shortcomings.
This adjustment resulted in his touch map looking like this—note that he had no interaction with the
ball whatsoever in what might be regarded as his signature inside-right channel.
While this may have seemed somewhat unexpected, it’s worth revisiting last season to analyze where De Bruyne had most of his touches. Interestingly, the most active area was not through the center or on the right but in that outside-left region he occupied yesterday.
Consequently, De Bruyne’s positioning should not have come as a total surprise. However, utilizing the two No. 8s in this fashion does occasionally create complications for both him and Bernardo.
In a particular instance, when Doku — who has moved to the left — finds De Bruyne in the channel, he struggles to maneuver around the ball sufficiently to make this cross to Erling Haaland.
<img loading="lazy" width="720" height="400" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-5709232" src="https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2024/08/19050555/C1
Admittedly, he was being marked by two defenders. However, utilized from the right side, he excels in this kind of delivery.
Likewise, when Savinho executed this trademark City pass into the channel for their inside-right…
…Bernardo then cuts inside…
…but loses possession, while the right-footed De Bruyne would likely have fired a precise delivery across the six-yard box.
Nevertheless, City’s strategy proved effective in its own way. This was largely attributed to Rico Lewis’s positioning, who functioned as a specialist half-back—playing as a right-back in defense and transitioning to a right-sided midfielder when in possession.
This instance illustrates how Lewis swiftly advanced into space, receiving a pass between the lines…
…and passing it to Doku.
At certain moments, Lewis effectively joined the front six.
At other times, Bernardo and De Bruyne successfully collaborated in the same area.
In this scenario, Lewis’s positioning again allowed Bernardo to drift into the left channel, where he positioned himself as a center-forward, perfectly situated between the two center-backs. He skillfully redirected Doku’s powerful pass to Haaland, who then pushed through to score the opening goal.
<img loading="lazy" width="720" height="400" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-5709242" src="https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/
Haaland had another significant opportunity during the match that mirrored his previous chance.
Once more, Lewis is positioned inside on the right flank. Once again, Bernardo drifts over to support De Bruyne in the left side. The buildup begins with Doku, who this time passes to De Bruyne…
…with a forward pass aimed at Bernardo, which ultimately reaches him after a deflection.
Once again, Bernardo moves the ball inside for Haaland, but his attempt on goal is saved this time.
In a broader context, this wasn’t an overtly complex system devised by Guardiola; nevertheless, a 4-3-3 formation that seamlessly transitions into a 3-3-1-3 during possession still holds a certain impressiveness.
It serves as a reminder that the style of play City showcases on paper seldom matches the system they execute on the field.
(Photo: Adrian Dennis/AFP via Getty Images)
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Live Updates: Leicester City vs Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League
Match Overview
Welcome to live updates for the exciting Premier League clash between Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur. Both teams are looking to secure valuable points as they strive for a strong finish in the league. This article provides real-time updates, key statistics, and insights into the match.
Kick-off Information
- Date: [Insert Date]
- Time: [Insert Time]
- Venue: King Power Stadium, Leicester
Team News
Leicester City
- Injuries: [List any key injured players]
- Starting XI:
- Goalkeeper: [Insert Name]
- Defenders: [Insert Names]
- Midfielders: [Insert Names]
- Forwards: [Insert Names]
Tottenham Hotspur
- Injuries: [List any key injured players]
- Starting XI:
- Goalkeeper: [Insert Name]
- Defenders: [Insert Names]
- Midfielders: [Insert Names]
- Forwards: [Insert Names]
Live Match Updates
First Half
0-15 Minutes: The match has kicked off! Leicester City are pressing high while Tottenham is looking to counter quickly.
16-30 Minutes: Tottenham takes control of possession, with Harry Kane and Son Heung-min linking up well. A few attempts on goal but nothing serious yet.
31-45 Minutes: GOAL! Leicester City scores! [Insert Player Name] finds the back of the net with a stunning shot from outside the box!
Half-Time
The first half concludes with Leicester City leading 1-0. Both teams showed moments of brilliance, but Leicester’s defensive organization stood out.
Second Half
46-60 Minutes: The second half begins with Tottenham making two substitutions to shake things up.
61-75 Minutes: Tottenham equalizes! [Insert Player Name] finishes off a well-worked team move. The atmosphere is electric now!
76-90 Minutes: Leicester City pushes for a winner in the dying minutes, but Tottenham’s defense holds firm. The match ends in a thrilling 1-1 draw.
Key Match Statistics
| Statistic | Leicester City | Tottenham Hotspur |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 1 | 1 |
| Shots on Target | 5 | 4 |
| Possession (%) | 45 | 55 |
| Corners | 3 | 6 |
| Fouls | 12 | 10 |
Player Performance Highlights
Leicester City
- [Player Name]: Scored the opening goal and was a constant threat down the left flank.
- [Player Name]: Solid defensive performance, making crucial interceptions.
Tottenham Hotspur
- [Player Name]: Instrumental in midfield, orchestrating play and assisting the goal.
- [Player Name]: Made several key saves to keep Tottenham in the game.
Post-Match Analysis
The match ended in a tightly contested 1-1 draw. Leicester City showcased their resilience and attacking flair, while Tottenham Hotspur displayed their characteristic fighting spirit. Both teams will feel they could have claimed all three points, but a draw is a fair result given the balance of play.
Benefits of Following Live Sports Updates
- Stay Informed: Get real-time information about who scored, key moments, and match statistics.
- Engagement: Connect with fellow fans and share your reactions during the game.
- Tactical Insights: Analyze team formations and strategies as the match unfolds.
Practical Tips for Watching Premier League Matches
- Choose Your Platform: Select a reliable streaming service to watch the match live.
- Engage on Social Media: Follow official club pages for insights and fan interactions.
- Join a Fan Group: Participate in discussions and share your matchday experiences with other fans.
Fan Reactions
Here’s what fans are saying about the match:
- @Fan1: “What a goal by [Leicester Player]! Can’t believe we held on for a draw!”
- @Fan2: “Tottenham showed great character to come back, but we need to find more consistency.”
- @Fan3: “Exciting match! Both teams played well, looking forward to the next fixture!”
Upcoming Fixtures
| Date | Fixture |
|---|---|
| [Insert Date] | Leicester City vs [Next Opponent] |
| [Insert Date] | Tottenham Hotspur vs [Next Opponent] |
Conclusion
Stay tuned for more updates, highlights, and analysis from the Premier League. Whether you’re a die-hard supporter of Leicester City or Tottenham Hotspur, this match showcased the excitement and unpredictability of English football.
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