A clinical Spurs ran out 4-0 winners over City at the Etihad Stadium in November, having also knocked them out of the Carabao Cup the month before.

That result in the top-flight was followed up by a tough spell for Spurs which saw them drop down the table, but having won their last three in the league, they are now up in 12th on 33 points.

Postecoglou expects City to pose a threat despite its recent disappointing results.

"You're always looking forward to the challenge," Postecoglou said. "Manchester City are an outstanding football club, [with a] great manager, still got great footballers and still play really challenging football to any opponent.

"We've enjoyed our games against them, whether that was this year or last year. They're going to try and win; they're going to try and play expansively, and we are going to try and do the same. It's going to be a good test for us."

City endured a disappointing week after a 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid saw them exit the Champions League in the play-offs on Thursday (6-3 on aggregate) before it was soundly beaten 2-0 by Liverpool.

Guardiola says he has not been surprised by Spurs' recent winning run, which has coincided with a raft of players returning from injury, noting the individual talent Postecoglou has in his side.

"They're a fantastic team, with individual quality," Guardiola said. "The rhythm they play and intensity they do, incredible runners in the transitions, but I think lately they have a few more extra passes.

"They can do it, especially when James Maddison plays.

"The results dictate one thing, but the opinion of the team is the opposite."