Manchester City could face an annoying tactic when they play Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Pep Guardiola’s men got their Premier League campaign off to the perfect start last weekend as they opened up their season with a 4-0 win away at Wolves, as Tijjani Reijnders stole the show at Molineux.
Man City’s home fans will be excited to see their new midfield in action for the first time at the Etihad Stadium this weekend, and they will need the 27-year-old to be at his best if they are to overcome Spurs, who have been Guardiola’s bogey team throughout his time in Manchester.
Chris Sutton has predicted the result of Man City vs Tottenham, and while doing so, the BBC pundit has a feeling Spurs could do something that will frustrate the Manchester club.
Thomas Frank could use a back three against Man City
Man City and Tottenham have been in the same conversations recently as Spurs continue to push for Savinho, a situation that may be resolved after the two Premier League clubs meet this weekend, with Daniel Levy planning to discuss the transfer with City’s hierarchy on Saturday.
The North London club’s season also got off to a positive start on the opening weekend, as Frank began his reign with a 3-0 win over Burnley. The Danish coach used a back four on the day, but Sutton suspects that he may approach the Man City contest differently.
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“Manchester City really impressed me last week, and everyone is rightly talking about Tijjani Reijnders. Statman Dave told me to get him into my fantasy team, but I didn’t take that advice, and I should’ve done. He was brilliant against Wolves,” Sutton told the BBC.
“I do think Tottenham will be a level above under Thomas Frank. It’ll be interesting how they set up. They played a back three in the Super Cup final against Paris St-Germain.
“Tottenham are still a few players short from properly challenging the really big teams, and in this game I think City at home will be too strong for them.”
Sutton predicted Man City to beat Wolves 2-1 last weekend, and the pundit has gone with the same scoreline for Saturday’s clash.
However, he makes a good point about the back three, as that was a set-up that really frustrated PSG during the UEFA Super Cup, a team many consider the best in the world.
Thomas Frank’s record against Manchester City
If Tottenham arrive at the Etihad Stadium with five spread across the back in their defensive shape, that will show just how much Man City have improved from last season, as Guardiola’s men struggled to break down teams in a low block throughout the 24/25 campaign.
Frank has often made life hard for City during his time at Brentford, and the Danish coach has an okay record against the Manchester club, considering the level both clubs are at.
The 51-year-old has played Guardiola’s team on eight occasions, winning two, drawing one, and losing the remaining five.
Frank’s teams have scored seven goals against Man City, while conceding 12, with the new Tottenham boss hoping to improve on this record this weekend.