Manchester City have two main selection dilemmas for the trip to Tottenham on Sunday.
The first comes in defence as Aymeric Laporte appears to be out after he was not spotted travelling to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Laporte has been absent for the last two games after making his return from injury, with Pep Guardiola putting his absence down to fatigue following his five months out.
Assuming Laporte is out, Guardiola will surely go with Nicolas Otamendi and Fernandinho in defence. Eric Garcia has also travelled and could be given some more Premier League action. The alternative would be another attempt at a back three - either with the three recognised central defenders, or with Kyle Walker or Joao Cancelo again. It's more likely Guardiola will return to a back four.
Guardiola's second dilemma is in attack as Raheem Sterling has gone seven games without a goal or assist for City. Sterling has been given the chance to play his way back into form, but he might now benefit more from a rest after his blistering start to the season.
In his place can come Bernardo Silva, who is enjoying his own spell of good form. With Riyad Mahrez on the other side, Guardiola has to go for the players full of confidence against a top side in Spurs.
Sergio Aguero will lead the line, as he always does in the big games, with Kevin de Bruyne and Rodri sure to start in midfield. If Guardiola wants to take the game to Spurs, he will choose David Silva to partner De Bruyne, with Ilkay Gundogan an option if the game plan is to contain Jose Mourinho's men. Silva will probably get the nod simply because he did not play 90 minutes in midweek against United.
Back in defence, Fernandinho should come back after a rest to partner Otamendi, with Kyle Walker at right back. Benjamin Mendy was also not spotted with the travelling squad so Aleks Zinchenko might get the chance to impress after an injury-hit season so far.
Predicted Man City XI vs Tottenham: Ederson; Walker, Otamendi, Fernandinho, Zinchenko; Rodri, De Bruyne, Silva; Mahrez, Bernardo, Aguero.
