Man City predicted line-up vs Tottenham: Three changes for Pep Guardiola - gallery

Here’s how we think Manchester City will set up for Sunday’s Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur.

Manchester City should approach Sunday’s Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur feeling fresh.

By the time the Premier League champions take on Spurs, it will have been nine days since they were last in action, when a Nathan Ake goal ensured Pep Guardiola’s side beat Arsenal 1-0 in the FA Cup.

The Blues named their strongest-possible line-up for that encounter but will be forced into at least one change from that team with John Stones ruled out for around ‘three weeks, one month’ with a hamstring problem. The reshuffle at centre-back shouldn’t pose too many issues for Guardiola, and the City boss has four other choices at the heart of defence.

However, it looks likely that one of those options - Ake - will be spending more time at left-back over the remainder of the campaign. The Dutchman has played there recently in a hybrid role that sees him push inside as a left-sided centre-back in possession, while Rico Lewis on the opposite flank advances into midfield. Joao Cancelo’s deadline-day departure to Bayern Munich means Guardiola is expected to use that system for the remainder of the campaign, including for Sunday’s clash with Spurs.

Elsewhere, Phil Foden is likely to return to the squad following a recent foot injury, with Stones the only expected absentee for Sunday’s trip to North London. The England international could be immediately reintroduced to the team, although Riyad Mahrez, Jack Grealish and Julian Alvarez are all vying for a starting berth.

With that in mind, here’s how we think City will line-up on Sunday…

The Blues named their strongest-possible line-up for that encounter but will be forced into at least one change from that team with John Stones ruled out for around ‘three weeks, one month’ with a hamstring problem. The reshuffle at centre-back shouldn’t pose too many issues for Guardiola, and the City boss has four other choices at the heart of defence.