Manchester City hope to ride the wave of back-to-back victories when they visit Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.
After their dire derby defeat to Manchester United and nightmare in Norway, Pep Guardiola’s side have responded with successive 2–0 victories over Wolverhampton Wanderers and Galatasaray. Closing the gap on Premier League table toppers Arsenal and securing automatic progression to the last 16 of the Champions League has raised spirits.
Tottenham have often proved City’s bogey side, however, as evidenced by the reverse fixture in August when Spurs triumphed at the Etihad. Sunday’s trip to north London will prove another chunky obstacle en route to success.
Match Snapshot
- 🕒 Kick-off time: 4:30 p.m. GMT, 11:30 a.m. ET, 8:30 a.m. PT
- 📍 Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
- 🏆 Competition: Premier League
- 📊 Recent form: DDDLW
Team News
- ⚠️ Key absentees, doubts: Joško Gvardiol, Rúben Dias, John Stones, Savinho, Mateo Kovačić, Jérémy Doku
- 🔢 Predicted formation: 4-1-4-1
Centre back issues have been eased by the recent signing of Marc Guéhi but City are still without three injured defenders in Joško Gvardiol, Rúben Dias and John Stones.
Mateo Kovačić is absent in midfield but Nico González is once again fit and Rodri is available after serving a European suspension midweek.
There are also problems in wide areas for Guardiola, with Jérémy Doku picking up an injury against Galatasaray midweek to join Savinho on the sidelines.
Man City Predicted Lineup vs. Tottenham (4-1-4-1)
GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma—The Italian made some big saves to deny Galatasaray on Wednesday night and will expect to be called into action in the capital.
RB: Matheus Nunes—Nunes has really grown into his role as right back but will be pushed hard by Tottenham’s array of tricky forwards.
CB: Abdukodir Khusanov—The Uzbekistan international is striving for consistency but an impressive midweek showing was a reminder of his raw talent.
CB: Marc Guéhi—Ineligible to feature against Victor Osimhen and Co., Guéhi should be well-rested for a battle with either Randal Kolo Muani or Dominic Solanke.
LB: Nico O’Reilly—O’Reilly showcased his versatility by stepping into holding midfield against Galatasaray—his original position for City—but appears likely to return to left back here.
DM: Rodri—After his red card in Norway against Bodø/Glimt, Rodri was suspended for City’s league phase finale. The Ballon d’Or winner will make a timely return to the midfield on Sunday.
RM: Antoine Semenyo—Semenyo was also unavailable midweek and that spells trouble for Tottenham, who have already conceded a last-minute strike to the Ghana international this season during Bournemouth’s 3–2 win over Spurs.
CM: Tijjani Reijnders—Reijnders is not an automatic starter in the engine room but he does provide some much-needed balance, especially during big games on the road.
CM: Bernardo Silva—While no longer in his pomp, Silva still has plenty to offer City with his experience, tenacious work rate and technical class.
LM: Rayan Cherki—Phil Foden could find himself on the bench once again despite Doku’s injury, with the in-form Cherki perhaps starting on the left against Spurs. The Frenchman already has 20 goal contributions since his summer arrival.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Man City XI vs. Tottenham: Foden Decision Made—Injury News, Predicted Lineup.
