Date: Saturday 23rd August, 2025
Time: 12.30 pm
Stadium Etihad Stadium
Referee Peter Bankes (England)
Goal Scorer:
Team News
Manchester City
Man City will be without injured trio Mateo Kovacic, Kalvin Phillips (both Achilles) and Savinho (unspecified) due to injury, while Rodri (groin), Ederson (illness), Phil Foden (ankle) and Josko Gvardiol (knock) have all taken part in training this week after missing the win at Wolves and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
Both Rodri and Ederson – who has been linked with an exit – are unlikely to feature, though, and James Trafford could retain his spot in goal at the expense of the latter after keeping a clean sheet on his debut last time out.
Guardiola will weigh up whether to recall Gvardiol at left-back or centre-back in place of Rayan Ait-Nouri or John Stones, while a midfield trio of Bernardo Silva, Nico Gonzalez and Reijnders could remain intact – Reijnders is bidding to become the first Man City player to score and assist in his first two PL appearances.
Should Reijnders be given licence to roam forward once again, Foden may be forced to battle with Oscar Bobb for a start on the right flank, while Erling Haaland – who has scored 48 goals in 48 PL home games for the Citizens – is expected to lead the line.
Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Trafford; Nunes, Stones, Dias, Ait-Nouri; Bernardo, Gonzalez; Bobb, Reijnders, Marmoush; Haaland
Tottenham
As for Tottenham, James Maddison (ACL) – who scored twice for Spurs in the 4-0 win at the Etihad last season – Radu Dragusin, Dejan Kulusevski, Bryan Gil (all knee) Manor Solomon (calf) and Kota Takai (foot) are all sidelined due to injury.
Yves Bissouma (unspecified) and Destiny Udogie (knee) both missed the win over Burnley due to injury, but both players could be fit to return to the matchday squad this weekend and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
After using a back four against Burnley, Frank will consider switching to a five-man defence against Man City, with Kevin Danso in contention to start alongside Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven at centre-back, while Pedro Porro and Djed Spence could be deployed as wing-backs.
Rodrigo Bentancur will be pushing for a recall in centre-midfield where both Joao Palhinha and Pape Sarr are likely to continue, while Kudus and Richarlison are expected to retain their partnership in attack. Johnson is another attacking option, but he could be one sacrificed if Frank switches to a back five.
Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:
Vicario; Danso, Romero, Van de Ven; Porro, Bentancur, Palhinha, Spence; Sar, Kudus; Richarlison
Predoiction: Manchester City 3-2 Tottenham Hotspur
