When Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur square off in an intriguing match at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon, both teams will be looking to get back to winning ways in the Premier League.
Spurs want to snap a three-game losing trend, but the Citizens want to avoid losing three straight top-flight matches for the first time since 2017.
Team News
Mateo Kovacic, a midfielder for Man City, has resumed full training after missing the previous two games due to a thigh injury. He may be included in the matchday squad, but John Stones, who has been out of action for the past two games due to a muscle issue, will also be evaluated prior to kickoff. Kevin De Bruyne (hamstring) is still out and Matheus Nunes (muscle) is a serious doubt.
Ederson, the first-choice goalkeeper, is anticipated to replace Stefan Ortega in the starting lineup. Nathan Ake is expected to take Josko Gvardiol’s spot on the left side of defense, and Ruben Dias and Kyle Walker will remain in the starting lineup.
For the fourth straight game, Manuel Akanji and Rodri might start together in a hybrid midfield role. However, adjustments could be made further up the field as Alvarez and Jeremy Doku are vying for recalls in place of Rico Lewis and Jack Grealish.
The long list of injuries for Tottenham includes: Manor Solomon (knee), Ivan Perisic (knee), Rodrigo Bentancur (ankle), James Maddison (ankle), Micky van de Ven (hamstring), Richarlison (pelvic), Ashley Phillips (ankle), Alfie Whiteman (ankle), and Pape Matar Sarr (muscle).
While Yves Bissouma is free to return from his own suspension and is anticipated to play in center midfield alongside Lo Celso or Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Cristian Romero will serve the final game of his three-match ban.
While Son Heung-min, who has scored six of his eight Premier League goals this season away from home, is expected to be supported in attack by Brennan Johnson, Bryan Gil, and Dejan Kulusevski—the latter of whom has scored in his last two trips to the Etihad—Postecoglou may continue to start Emerson Royal and Ben Davies at center-back ahead of Eric Dier.
Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Ederson; Walker, Dias, Ake; Akanji, Rodri; Foden, Alvarez, Bernardo, Doku; Haaland
Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:
Vicario; Porro, Emerson, Davies, Udogie; Bissouma, Lo Celso; Johnson, Kulusevski, Gil; Son
