Why do some Tottenham fans want their team to lose against Manchester City in the Premier League?

Tottenham Hotspur face Manchester City in the Premier League on Tuesday night in a fixture which could be the ultimate test of Spurs’ fans loyalty to their team.

What do Tottenham need to qualify for the Champions League?

Ange Postecoglu’s men can still finish in the top four and qualify for next season’s Champions League, although their hopes look to be fairly slim. Spurs must beat City and then also win away to Sheffield United in their final league game on Sunday, all the while hoping Aston Villa, currently fourth, lose their final match at Crystal Palace.

Nothing less than six points for the North London side will do, which means their task against Pep Guardiola’s side should be clear, right?

What does Spurs - City mean for Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes?

The issue, however, is that Tottenham can also have a big say in the Premier League title race, which involves bitter rivals Arsenal. If Spurs beat - or even draw against - Manchester City, that will give the Gunners a huge helping hand as they look to clinch their first championship in 20 years.

A victory for Spurs on Tuesday means Arsenal will hold a one-point lead over City going into the final round of fixtures, which means a win at home to Everton on Sunday would clinch the title.

A draw would leave the top two level on points, although Guardiola’s boys would be three worse off in terms of goal difference, the first tiebreaker, going into their last game at home to West Ham.

Should Tottenham lose to City, however, Mikel Arteta’s side will head into the final day two points behind and be significantly less likely to win the title.

Why are there so many light blue jerseys in the Tottenham stands?

As well as more empty seats than usual, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was notable for the abnormal number of light blue jerseys in the home stands. Those were neither Spurs fans wearing Manchester City shits of away supporters sneaking into the home end, rather Tottenham followers wearing their club’s third kit from the 2019/20 season.

A way to support your team without actually supporting them, perhaps?

Spurs fans face Arsenal conundrum

Quite the conundrum for some Spurs fans, then, it seems.

Would they rather see their team keep their very slim Champions League hopes alive or prevent their arch rivals from title glory?

For Postecoglu, the thought of most supporters turning the back on the team hasn’t crossed his mind: “You think the majority of our fans are not going to want us to win? I don’t see it that way. I think the majority of our fans will create the atmosphere they always create at our games.”