Football writer Adrian Clarke identifies the key players, team tactics and where matches could be won and lost in Matchweek 1.
Team analysis: Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur
Man City and Spurs produced resounding clean-sheet victories on the opening weekend, and their contest at the Etihad Stadium is a real eye-catcher in Matchweek 2.
Spurs won 4-0 in this fixture last season, but Pep Guardiola’s new-look side showcased imperious form at Molineux last Saturday.
Can Spurs stop Reijnders?
Finding a way to curb the influence of summer signing Tijjani Reijnders will be high on the list of priorities for Thomas Frank.
Netherlands international Reijnders produced a box-to-box midfield masterclass against Wolverhampton Wanderers, constantly driving City forward with his energy, skill and footballing IQ.
Reijnders undeniably gives City greater verve inside the heart of the midfield.
His athletic data (below) from his Premier League debut shows how effervescent he was, with and without the ball.
How Reijnders ranked v Wolves
Total City rank Distance ran 11.57km 2nd Intensive runs 324 3rd Off the ball runs 21 2nd Runs into box 6 1st Runs targeted by a pass 8 1st Pressures in middle third 22 2nd
The 27-year-old covers a lot of ground, but many of his runs also have a positive purpose.
No City player made more runs into the box for example, and the quality of Reijnders' movement meant team-mates picked him out with those sprints too.
We saw this when he raced forward from inside his own half to intelligently create a 3v2 before scoring with a precise left-foot finish.
Reijnders' highlights v Wolves
Sensing that Oscar Bobb’s turnover presented an overload opportunity, he made it happen with a magnificent burst.
Reijnders' powerful running also played a huge part in Erling Haaland’s second goal, cutting the ball back to the Norwegian following another long-distance sprint.
And it was the Dutchman’s quick feet and clever scoop pass for Rico Lewis which unlocked the door for Haaland’s opener too.
Reijnders’ intent to make a difference will test Spurs' midfielders, who must ensure that space is not left for him to surge into.
Speed of service into Haaland
Like all centre-forwards, Haaland feeds off early passes or crosses that he can attack, and there was a sense last season that City did not provide enough of those.
Savinho - who supplied five of his eight assists for the Norwegian - played his part, but 2024/25 was a campaign where too many creators suffered a downturn in form.
Jack Grealish (one assist), Phil Foden (two assists), Bernardo Silva (four assists) and Kevin De Bruyne (seven assists) were not as influential as they had been.
This was reflected in the number of big chances Haaland received.
Getting on the end of 0.63 fewer big chances per match compared to the season before equates to 24 less opportunities over a full 38-match campaign.
If he converts around half of those big chances, or even just under that, it remains a substantial dip.
Haaland big chance stats by season
Last weekend Haaland had three big chances, converting one, so it was a step in the right direction.
The speed of City's play was a factor, with fit-again Bobb, Reijnders, Lewis and Bernardo all brimming with early-season energy.
Both of Haaland’s strikes came from moves that saw a runner get beyond the last line of defence to square the ball, or cut it back for him.
Haaland's first goal v Wolves
Committing opposition defenders with successful dribbles is another avenue to open up defences.
In this respect they were improved in MW1 in no small part by Bobb’s brightness on the ball.
The Norwegian made five dribbles, completing three, on a day where City attempted 26, a Premier League high.
Teams with most dribbles in MW1
Most dribbles attempted Most dribbles completed Man City 26 Man City 14 Arsenal 25 Chelsea 12 Chelsea 24 Spurs 11
If Guardiola’s side are as positive against what is likely to be a five-man Spurs defence, it will help them fashion the quality opportunities Haaland craves.
Will Frank turn to a back five?
Spurs head coach Frank is adaptable when it comes to formations, so after the success of his 5-3-2 shape against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the UEFA Super Cup Final, it would be a surprise if the Dane does not revert to it this weekend.
Spurs sacrificed possession, averaging just 25.7 per cent, and defended well as a team to nullify the European champions right up until the closing stages.
This Expected Goals graph (below) highlights how well they contained PSG.
Click here to zoom in on the graphic.
If they mimic these tactics against City, Guardiola’s men will also have to ready themselves for plenty of long balls hit from back to front.
Aiming for Richarlison and Mohammed Kudus in forward areas, 24.7 per cent of all Spurs' passes against PSG were long.
Not interested in playing through the press, goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario launched a stream of kicks that unsettled PSG (below).
Playing the percentages, looking to pick up second balls, we may see something similar on Saturday.
Spurs' threat on the right
Kudus has made a wonderful early impression down Spurs' right side, forging instant connections with Pedro Porro and Richarlison.
City’s new left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri will want to tuck inside when his side have the ball, but he must not leave too much room out wide for Spurs to pick out Kudus or Porro when turnovers occur.
The duo made eight chances between them against Burnley (Kudus - five, Porro - three) so they will target the Algerian on his home debut and be brimming with confidence.
Frank’s men certainly found greater productivity from that wing.
Spurs' key passes/crosses v Burnley
Key:Yellow – Key Passes/Assists, Red – Unsuccessful Open Play Crosses, Green – Successful Open Play Crosses
Kudus only passed to Richarlison twice in that encounter, but on both occasions his crosses were fired home by the Brazilian.
Richarlison is a forward adept at attacking crosses both with his feet and head, so look out for Spurs whipping early balls into the area.
Can subs make the difference?
Head coaches like to talk about starters and finishers, and there is no question both benches will contain potential match winners.
Guardiola’s bench last weekend was frighteningly strong.
Rayan Cherki scored after coming on as a substitute, with Omar Marmoush, Foden, Savinho and Ilkay Gundogan all outside of the starting XI too.
If Spurs switch to a back five we could see a visitors’ bench containing players such as Brennan Johnson, Dominic Solanke, Mathys Tel and Wilson Odobert, which also offers plenty of goal threat.
Last season, Spurs' substitutes scored seven goals, with City’s contributing six.
With extra strength in depth in both squads for 2025/26, those figures should rise this season.