Ange Postecoglou faces the crucial task of selecting his strongest starting lineup for the FA Cup clash between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City to secure Spurs’ spot in the fifth round, according to insights from Alan Hutton.

As Tottenham prepares to host Pep Guardiola’s side at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Friday (26 January), this fourth-round encounter marks their first fixture post the Premier League’s winter break, following a 2-2 draw with Manchester United in their previous outing.

Postecoglou previously opted for a robust starting lineup in Tottenham’s third-round victory over Burnley, featuring players like Dejan Kulusevski and Pedro Porro. The recent returns of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven have bolstered the squad.

While some have suggested potential rotation to avoid injuries, Hutton argues that Postecoglou should field the strongest starting XI to challenge the champions in the FA Cup.

“I can see him going as strong as possible,” Hutton stated. “Obviously it’s a big game, they’re high up in the league and they want to do as well as possible. I don’t see him making too many changes. One or two depending on injuries and how people are feeling.”

The previous 3-3 draw between Tottenham and Manchester City earlier in the season, marked by a chaotic last-minute strike from Kulusevski, adds to the anticipation of this FA Cup encounter. Hutton emphasizes the importance of fielding a strong lineup against top teams to avoid potential pitfalls.

After the FA Cup clash, Spurs resume Premier League action against Brentford on Wednesday (31 January), aiming to narrow the gap between them and Aston Villa in fourth place.