Mancini under siege as City host Spurs
Close to elimination from the Champions League, Manchester City needs a win over Tottenham to stay on the coat-tails of Manchester United in the English Premier League race and relieve some of the growing pressure on its manager.
City is the only unbeaten team in the English top flight after 10 games but its capitulation in Europe has made Roberto Mancini the target of flak and frustration.
Mancini lost his cool twice this week, in a news conference before the 2-2 draw against Ajax and then immediately after the Champions League game in a finger-wagging confrontation with match officials.
It's a sign the Italian is feeling the pressure, at a time when Pep Guardiola is increasingly linked with City following the club's appointment of two former Barcelona officials.
