Tottenham v Man City team news: Fitness update and predicted line-ups

The champions could be without several key players for Sunday’s Premier League opener.
Manchester City players in pre-season action. Credit: Getty.Manchester City players in pre-season action. Credit: Getty.
Manchester City players in pre-season action. Credit: Getty.

Manchester City may have one of the most impressive squads in the Premier League, but for this weekend’s trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Pep Guardiola has a few selection headaches.

The Catalan coach is missing several key men and with so many players involved in Euro 2020 and the Copa America this summer, a number of first-team stars only returned to training this week ahead of the new season.

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As a result, City may have to field a slightly weakened squad when they take on Nuno Espirito Santo’s men this weekend.

Who’s unavailable and which players are doubts?

Phil Foden is expected to be out for around a month with a foot injury, while Aymeric Laporte is currently self-isolating after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19.

Ukraine international Oleksandr Zinchenko is also a doubt after missing the Community Shield loss to Leicester City last weekend. Kevin De Bruyne missed that game and, despite training during the week, may miss the trip to North London due to an ankle problem.

Ederson, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus all returned to training this week and will undoubtedly be short of match fitness, but City’s lack of options mean they may have to play on Sunday.

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Summer signing Jack Grealish could make his Premier League debut for the champions at Tottenham, although he only managed 25 minutes of pre-season action.

City did give youngsters Cole Palmer, Samuel Edozie and Ben Knight game time in the Community Shield and they could be involved in the Premier League opener.

Predicted line-up:

Ederson, Cancelo, Dias, Ake, Mendy, Fernandinho, Gundogan, Silva, Mahrez, Torres, Grealish.

Guardiola’s choices could be more guided by fitness than tactics on Sunday, which might afford Bernardo Silva the opportunity to start, despite it being confirmed last week he’s looking to leave the club.

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The predicted back four, Ilkay Gundogan, Fernandinho and Riyad Mahrez have all been heavily involved in pre-season matches, while Grealish’s cameo last week might give him the edge on some of his new team-mates.

Tottenham team news

For Spurs, all eyes will be on Harry Kane, who has been linked with a move to City all summer. Details have been sparse on whether the England captain has returned to training yet and he’s unlikely to start on Sunday.

There is also doubt around the fitness of Japhet Tanganga after he limped out with a knock in Tottenham’s last pre-season friendly, while new signing Cristian Romero is unlikely to start following his recent move from Atalanta.

Predicted line-up:

Lloris, Doherty, Sanchez, Dier, Reguilon, Hojbjerg, Skipp, Alli, Lucas, Son, Bergwijn.