City facing fixture dilemma thanks to Tottenham...

CITY face an unwanted fixture problem, thanks to Tottenham.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side were hoping to start the season at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, having spent last year playing at Wembley.

But delays to the opening has meant two test events have been cancelled and games with Fulham and Liverpool have been moved back to the National Stadium because of ‘issues with the critical safety systems’.

Spurs are only due to welcome City on October 28, but there are fears the ground will still not be ready.

And they won’t be able to use Wembley on that date because it is hosting an NFL game.

Premier League rules do not allow teams to count three different grounds as home stadiums in the course of one season, and Twickenham has reportedly already been dismissed as an idea to host the match with City.

That puts Spurs - and the Blues - in a tight spot.

City sources maintain they have not been approached about the idea of swapping the fixtures against Spurs, with the October game being held at the Etihad instead.

But that would leave City with four of their final games away from home. The switch would also give Tottenham five of their final six matches at home.

If a new venue cannot be agreed, the game could be postponed, but that carries its own problems.

Spurs risk sanctions including the potential or fines or points deductions, while finding a free date that pleases both clubs and Sky Sports in the incredibly congested autumn and winter schedule will not be straightforward.