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The Tottenham manager may have to choose between the Togolese forward and Jermain Defoe for his side's visit to the Etihad, but could spring a surprise and start both strikers

Andre Villas-Boas is still undecided on whether to start both Emmanuel Adebayor and Jermain Defoe up front for Tottenham ahead of their crunch clash with Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.

The 28-year-old Togolese striker has struggled to win a regular place in the Portuguese's starting XI since his summer move from the Premier League champions, but may get the nod alongside the England striker.

And the 35-year-old manager even suggested Adebayor's provocative celebration for City in front of Arsenal fans in 2009 could tempt him to give the forward a start, revealing it is an attitude he values in high-profile games.

"For sure we take that into account," Villas-Boas told reporters regarding Adebayor's celebration. "Revolt and motivation are always factors that I keep on speaking about but I'm still to make my decision on the starting XI."

Spurs have had a mixed start to the 2012-13 Premier League campaign, with impressive wins such as their 3-2 victory away to Manchester United tempered by the disappointment of their 1-0 home defeat by Wigan last weekend.

And Villas-Boas revealed that an attacking mentality may be more beneficial for his side on Sunday afternoon, given the result they achieved  at Old Trafford after confronting Sir Alex Ferguson's side head-on.

He continued: "[4-4-2] responds a little to Tottenham's philosophy and we want to be brave away from home.

"I'm not sure if it is going to pay off but we will certainly try to have a go. Our away form is certainly very pleasing and we know that we will play in a very confident way."

Defoe is likely to start given the manager's description of him being "on stilts" after hitting a hat-trick in midweek against Maribor, but a forward pairing could be key if Villas-Boas chooses to attack the home side.

He added: "Whatever you get out of playing the Premier League champions on their own ground is excellent so we will go to win but understand that to give them a run for their money will be difficult.

"But we have strengths and hopefully if we put on a performance like this we can do something. We will go up there to play our style of football knowing that we have nothing to lose."