Dele Alli has been out of sorts this season but can do it in the big games... here is how the Tottenham star can turn it around against Manchester City

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It is almost two years since Dele Alli scored that strike at Selhurst Park, securing himself Goal of the Season and helping him to Young Player of the Year too.

The next season, he scored 18 times and assisted seven, once again winning him Young Player of the Year and another spot in the Team of the Year.

His third campaign, however, has not been the charm. Alli has looked out of sorts in the Premier League, unconfident and less threatening. Rested against Brighton in midweek, he is set to return for Manchester City.

Tottenham star Dele Alli shares a joke with Izzy Brown on the touchline at Wembley

England international Alli has had a quiet third season so far for Tottenham

This will be a match between the top flight's two most possession-obsessed teams.

Pep Guardiola's City have averaged 72 per cent possession this season – the most in the Premier League. Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham have averaged 62.8 per cent – the second most.

One will have to relinquish it and, given they are the away side and underdogs against a rather formidable outfit, it will likely be Tottenham.

Abandoning their keep-the-ball stye of play may not necessarily be a bad thing, however.

After City (72 per cent) and Tottenham (62.8 per cent) at the top of the possession table is Arsenal (62.5 per cent) and Liverpool (60.8 per cent).

In October, Tottenham allowed Liverpool to control the ball instead of themselves – and won. Jurgen Klopp's side had 63.8 per cent but left Wembley as 4-1 losers.

Alli is set to return to the starting lineup when Tottenham travel to Manchester City

Then in November, Tottenham tried to keep the ball against Arsenal – and lost. Arsene Wenger's side had only 42.1 per cent but won 2-0 at the Emirates.

At the Etihad, they may have to make do without the ball even if they do not want to surrender it, but this could suit Spurs and their England starlet.

Someone like Alli could come into his own when having to surge forward, pick the appropriate pass and counter at speed. Heung-min Son is a speedster and has the ability to support on his left, while Christian Eriksen will be no slouch on the right. Harry Kane will hang on the shoulder of City's defenders too.

Alli himself has three goals and as many assists to his name this season, with his last league strike against Liverpool. He knows how to turn it on in the occasional big game – just ask Real Madrid, who witnessed him score twice in a famous 3-1 win last month.

As a young player, who has been deployed slightly deeper this season, the 21-year-old was always going to go through a poor spell at some stage. Attackers get judged on their goals and assists, and his have dried up for the time being.

Alli secured himself goal of the season when he netted a stunner against Crystal Palace

It is not all his fault, however.

In the summer, Tottenham lost the Premier League's best right-back in Kyle Walker. Kieran Trippier is good and has a cross worthy of David Beckham, but is not the same as Walker.

Left-back Danny Rose has been in and out with injury issues and question marks over his mentality. Ben Davies is likewise not at the same level.

The loss of those two full-backs can have an influence on Alli. Last season, Walker and Rose would fly down the wings, pushing sides back and creating space for Alli in between the defence and a midfield which would rather stay closer to the forwards.

It has gotten tougher for him this season.

Pochettino was asked after the 2-0 win over Brighton on Wednesday whether Alli was unhappy to be dropped to the substitutes' bench. 

Mauricio Pochettino admitted Alli was unhappy to be on the bench on Wednesday night

Alli replaces Erik Lamela during the 2-0 Premier League win over Brighton in midweek

The Argentine's answer went: 'How does another player at Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool react when they are on the bench? Tottenham is a specialist in creating problems.

'Alli was on the bench and then played 20 minutes. He's an important player for us. How do other players react when they are on the bench?

'Sure they are unhappy. No one is happy. Everyone on the bench wanted to play.'

So Alli got a breather during a busy Christmas schedule. He will be back at City and it was this time last year that he truly got his season going, scoring seven goals in four league games.

Tottenham could do with him repeating the trick, starting in Manchester on Saturday.