Thomas Frank has opted against a back three as Tottenham take on Manchester City today.
Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven are the two centre-backs, with Pedro Porro and Djed Spence either side.
Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha both started on the bench against Burnley last weekend but feature here, with their experience and ball-winning capabilities much-needed against this City side.
With James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski out injured, and Spurs missing out on the signing of Eberechi Eze, it falls on Pape Matar Sarr to provide the energy as the most advanced midfielder.
Up front, Dominic Solanke has now had two cameos off the bench as he builds towards full fitness, but Richarlison has been in superb form and scored a brace against Burnley, so keeps his place, with Mohammed Kudus and Brennan Johnson either side.
Confirmed team news
Man City XI: Trafford, Lewis, Stones, Dias, Ait-Nouri, Nico, Reijnders, Bobb, Cherki, Marmoush, Haaland
Subs: Ederson, Ake, Doku, Rodri, Bernardo, Nunes, O'Reilly, Khusanov, Foden
Tottenham XI: Vicario, Porro, Van de Ven, Romero, Spence, Sarr, Palhinha, Bentancur, Johnson, Kudus, Richarlison
Subs: Kinsky, Danso, Vuskovic, Davies, Gray, Bergvall, Odobert, Tel, Solanke
Injured: Dragusin, Udogie, Takai, Bissouma, Maddison, Kulusevski, Solomon
Time and date: 12:30pm BST, Saturday, August 23, 2025
Venue: Etihad Stadium
How to watch: TNT Sports
