Manchester City vs Tottenham Preview
Gameweek 2 of the Premier League is highlighted by a clash of erudite and experienced managers at Etihad Stadium on Saturday. Pep Guardiola and Manchester City host Tottenham and new manager Thomas Frank in their 175th all-time meeting.
Manchester City enter a new era under Guardiola as he seeks to refresh what was an aging City side that finished third last season and missed out on their fifth successive Premier League title. According to ESPN, City spent $236.8 million on four signings in January transfer window and have already splashed $238.11 million on six signings this summer.
Tottenham are hoping that the gentler, guiding hand of new boss Frank will help them rise from the ashes of the fire that was lit by "Ange-ball" during former manager Ange Postecoglu's two seasons in North London. Frank compiled a 54-38-60 record at Brentford across four Premier League seasons, but the expectations will be greater, as Spurs seek to reestablish themselves in the upper echelon of European football.
Premier League Player News & Updates
Manchester City vs. Tottenham Head-to-Head Record
Manchester City and Tottenham have met on 174 occasions, dating back to 1909 when Spurs outscored the Cityzens in a 4-3 FA Cup First Round matchup.
City lead the all-time series narrowly, winning 69 times and drawing on 37 occasions.
Over the last five Premier League seasons, Spurs have edged City, winning five times and drawing once in 10 Premier League matchups.
Fixture Trivia
Question: Who is Manchester City's all-time leading goal scorer versus Tottenham?
(Answer provided on Gameweek 3's Premier League Preview article)
Gameweek 1 Trivia: In the Arsenal-Manchester United matchup that resulted in the largest margin of victory between the two sides, which player(s) scored a hat trick?
Wayne Rooney scored a hat trick ('41, 64', 82') in Manchester United's 8-2 victory over Arsenal on August 28, 2011.
Betting Odds and Predictions for Manchester City vs. Tottenham Match
Premier League Odds Comparisons
Moneyline Odds
DraftKings: MCI -215 Draw +400, TOT +500
FanDuel: MCI -240 Draw +380, TOT +550
BetMGM: MCI -220 Draw +375, TOT +525
Bet365: MCI -225 Draw +350, TOT +600
Visit RotoWire all season for exclusive sports betting picks and our weekly Premier League betting show. Remember that betting apps vary in terms of odds, so we have an easy-to-use odds page that allows you to shop for the best lines at DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM and PointsBet. Claim over a thousand dollars in bonuses by signing up at the best sports betting sites using the best sportsbook promos.
RECENT FORM
Manchester City's preseason tour was more abbreviated than they had hoped after City were eliminated by Al Hilal in a FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16 matchup. However, the Noisy Neighbors showed no rust in Gameweek 1 as they trounced Wolves in a 4-0 victory.
Tottenham were outlasted 2-2 (4-3) in their UEFA Super Cup matchup with Paris-Saint Germain. In the opening fixture of their Premier League season, Spurs displayed patented Thomas Frank pragmatism in a 3-0 victory over Burnley.
FORMATIONS
Manchester City are most likely to line up in an initial 4-3-3 shape. When City control possession, look for Guardiola's tactical nuances to take shape as a full-back will move into the midfield, allowing the likes of Bernardo Silva to take-up an attacking position further up the pitch.
Tottenham rolled out a 4-3-3 in their inaugural match under Frank and consolidated their their lead in the second half by bringing on holding midfielders Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha. For the trip to City, Frank could again opt for a 5-3-2 look.
LINEUP NOTES & INJURY NEWS
Premier League Predicted & Confirmed Lineups
Manchester City Injury News
Phil Foden (ankle) was left off the team sheet in CIty's victory over Wolves after being deemed fit ahead of the fixture. If there are no lingering concerns over his injury, expect, at minimum, for Foden to play a role versus Spurs off of the bench. Also in attack, Savinho (undisclosed) was left out of the squad in Gameweek 1 as his future at the Etihad has come into question.
Rodri (groin) is being brought along slowly by the training staff and is questionable for Saturday's fixture. If Rodri is deemed fit, he's likely to have his minutes limited initially.
Josko Gvardiol (undisclosed) was left off out of the team in Gameweek 1 after missing City's preseason friendly and not being deemed fit by the manager. When fit, expect Gvardiol to feature after he made 37 Premier League appearances (36 starts) across the 2024/2025 campaign.
Tottenham Injury News
Destiny Udogie (knee) will be a game-time-decision for the Tottenham training staff as he recovers from a knock picked up in the preseason. If Udogie is unable to play, expect to see Djed Spence patrolling Spurs' left flank once again.
James Maddison's demoralizing ACL injury he suffered in preseason has left Tottenham bereft of creating talent in the attacking midfield role. Fellow midfielder Yves Bissouma (undisclosed) was also not a part of the squad for Gameweek 1 after he was left out versus PSG because he was late for training.
KEY MATCHUPS
Erling Haaland versus Cristian Romero & Micky van de Ven
Haaland will tussle with Spurs' top central defensive pairing Saturday. The prolific goal-scoring Norwegian scored once in their two Premier League meetings last season and has scored four goals in six career league matches versus Tottenham. Romero is one of the most well-regarded central defenders in Europe and was rewarded with a four-year contract extension by Tottenham earlier this week.
Tottenham wide-attackers versus City full-backs
City have made a living under Guardiola by possessing the ball for extended periods in the attacking third of the pitch. As their possession persists, the City back line thins to three and, at times, even two players as full-backs Rico Lewis, Rayan Ait-Nouri or Gvardiol join the attack. Expect Frank to implement a tactical approach that relies heavily upon a simple a relished trait by Spurs during the Postecoglu era: speed.
Look for Spurs to quickly spring the likes of Brennan Johnson, Richarlison and newcomer Mohammed Kudus into the City half of the pitch when possession is won as they attempt to take advantage of the space left in behind.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Bernardo Silva's ability to efficiently play in an advanced midfield role is the impetus behind City's competency in producing cutting attacking movements, particularly against teams defending with a low block. With question marks on City's wings as to who will provide service to talisman Haaland, the responsibility of the playmaker roll has fallen to the veteran. After producing five accurate crosses and creating four chances across his first 66 minutes, I back Silva to be the man pulling the string for the City attack in a two-goal victory.
PREDICTED RESULT
Manchester City 3 - Tottenham 1
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Manchester City: Aug. 31 at Brighton & Hove Albion
Tottenham: Aug. 30 vs. Bournemouth
