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Eriksson confdent City can join the elite

Sven Goran Eriksson believes Manchester City can take another step toward a place among the Premier League's elite by winning at Tottenham Hotspur today.

Eriksson has never been one for dramatic statements when a cautious word will suffice, but confidence is sky-high at City and the Swede is reflecting that in his unusually upbeat approach.

Season after season the English top division has been dominated by the same mega-rich clubs.

Now Eriksson, backed by Thai owner Thaksin Shinawatra's substantial investment, is determined to give Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool a run for their money.

With new signings Martin Petrov, Elano and Vedran Corluka blending in well alongside homegrown youngsters Micah Richards, Michael Johnson and Stephen Ireland, City have been the season's surprise package.

They slipped out of the Champions League places for only the second time this season after their draw at Wigan Athletic last weekend and Eriksson has no doubts a top four finish is well within their capabilities.

"We have not given up returning to the top four, why should we?" he said. "I don't accept that we are now playing for fifth place, why should I do that?"

"It is a big challenge to dislodge one of the favorites by the end of the season but I am not thinking about that, just this Sunday's game. In our position that is all you can do," he said.

Eriksson has warned his players not to stay up late to watch Ricky Hatton's world title fight against Floyd Mayweather.

The WBC welterweight contest, which has attracted huge TV, radio and newspaper coverage in Britain, was due to take place late yesterday in Las Vegas.

Because of the time difference, however, the fight starts around 4am in Britain this morning. When Hatton climbs into the ring wearing the light blue colors of Manchester City, the players he supports should be asleep.

"I will tell my players to sleep," Eriksson said. "Some members of the medical staff will watch it but not the players. They will not be up at four because they have an important game to play. Hopefully it will be on again at nine or 10 in the morning and they can watch it then."

City's magnificent home form has disguised their problems away from Eastlands. One win from seven league away games, including a 6-0 thrashing at Chelsea, tells its own story.

Yet Tottenham have been far from invincible at White Hart Lane and lie perilously close to the relegation zone.

Coach Juande Ramos has made a good start to his reign as Spurs boss but the feeling remains that his side are brittle at the back and often lack a real creative spark in midfield.

Ramos could take heart from the way they emerged unscathed from an hostile atmosphere against Anderlecht to book a place in the next round of the UEFA Cup.

But the Spanish coach admitted he is more concerned with avoiding a survival scrap than competing for silverware.

"At the moment we are closer to relegation than we are to the European places. It's the reality," he said. "So we're left with no alternative but to fight against this and get as many points as possible."

Spurs captain Robbie Keane starts a three-match ban, while Eriksson is without suspended midfielder Didi Hamann and will give late fitness tests to Elano and Emile Mpenza.
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