Premier League champions City welcome the perennial 'nearly men' to Eastlands on Saturday with retired England international Lampard looking to add to the eight goals he has scored against Tottenham during 13 years with Chelsea.
“I've done well against Spurs over the years and playing them was always a big game at Chelsea," said Lampard. “Even when I was at West Ham, Tottenham were big rivals so I've always seen it is a big game and something to mark on the calendar and that doesn't change now that I'm at City.”
Lampard, who revealed earlier this week he will not seek to extend his loan spell from New York City FC beyond January, was named City's player of the month for September earlier this week.
"If somebody had said I would be voted player of the month by the fans in my first full month playing I would have had difficulty believing them," added Lampard, who has scored four goals in his last five appearances for City.
City manager Manuel Pellegrini will be without French midfielder Samir Nasri and will also have to check on the fitness of Brazilian Fernandinho.
Spurs looking to improve recent record
Spurs conceded 11 goals against City in their two league fixtures last year, losing 6-0 away and 5-1 at home, but new manager Mauricio Pochettino believes previous defeats will not have an impact in Saturday's early kick-off. "The reality is I don't remember the results,” he said. "This is another season, another philosophy, another game. It's important to look forward. I don't have any concerns about these results."
Tottenham have so far struggled for consistency but are unbeaten away from home, and were boosted with a win over Pochettino’s former side Southampton last time out.
"We arrive in a good moment," said the manager. "After our victory against Southampton, we need to keep the momentum, to reproduce the same actions and to try to get the three points."
Chelsea hoping to extend lead
Chelsea head to London rivals Crystal Palace on Saturday eager to extend their five-point lead at the top of the table. The Blues were the losing side the last time they visited Selhurst Park and captain John Terry has dismissed talk that this season's title-race is already done and dusted. “Clearly it [the title race] is not over," he said. “Other teams have been in this position. It's nice to have the lead but when you're at the top everyone wants to shoot you down.”
Arsenal face Hull in FA final repeat
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will be looking forward to rekindling the memory of one of the greatest days in recent club history when they face Hull at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
Wenger's side came from two goals down to beat Hull 3-2 in last season's FA Cup final as the North Londoners won their first trophy in nine years.
Defeat at Chelsea before the international break brought an end to Arsenal's unbeaten start to the Premier League campaign and left them in eighth position, nine points behind Jose Mourinho's side. However, the Frenchman is still confident of his side’s chances in the league this season.
"We won the FA Cup with a difficult run, but we managed to deliver the trophy and it makes us stronger, more confident and I believe we will have a strong season."
The international break brought more injury problems for Wenger with France defender Laurent Koscielny aggravating an Achilles problem and Mesut Ozil ruled out for around six weeks with knee ligament damage.
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