Manchester City and Tottenham got off to flying starts to the new Premier League campaign, though they can thank the fixture computer for serving them up two sides that are going to be in for a tough season.
City walloped four past Wolves, while Spurs netted three against Burnley on Thomas Frank’s first Premier League game wearing clothing that didn’t have a bee on it.
Both sides will definitely have to move into a higher gear for this match, and it allows the pundits to see if Frank has already managed to put his stamp on his new Tottenham side in arguably one of their toughest games of the season.
Tottenham have been a bit of a bad luck charm for City recently, with the Citizens only winning four of their last 12 encounters between the two sides in all competitions.
City were surprisingly slapped 4-0 by Tottenham last November, and also lost 2-1 in the Carabao Cup in October.
However, both those matches fell in that period where City came totally off the rails, going on an alarming run of six defeats from seven across all competitions.
City restored some pride with a 1-0 win in February, but by then both teams’ league seasons were done and dusted.
That 4-0 win was a rare highlight in a truly disappointing league campaign for Spurs, but they’ll still be aiming to collect their first consecutive away win at City for the first time since May 2010 this Saturday.
Mohammed Kudus and Richarlison really impressed against Burnley, and could do a lot more damage if City’s defence can’t get to grips with them.
At the other end, Erling Haaland is already off the mark with a brace against Wolves, but it was Tijjani Reijnders that caught the eye with a goal and an assist in his Premier League debut.
The Saturday lunch time kick-off is usually a quiet affair, but this match has plenty of potential to be an early season cracker.
Man City vs Tottenham: Where to watch and listen
The match will be live on TNT Sports 1 on Saturday, August 23 with a 12:30pm kick-off. The match can also be streamed through the Discovery+app. Meanwhile, radio commentary is available on talkSPORT.
Man City team news
Man City boss Pep Guardiola is likely to stick with the same side that beat Wolves, though goalscorer Rayan Cherki will be pushing for a start.
Mateo Kovacic and Rodri are still out, while Josko Gvardiol and Phil Foden are both injury doubts.
Manuel Akanji, Savinho and Ederson could all be missing from the squad with reported moves on the cards.
Man City predicted line-up
Tottenham team news
Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison and Radu Dragusin are all still out, while Yves Bissouma and Destiny Udogie are doubtful with knocks.
Joao Palhinha is pushing for a start after impressing on his Tottenham debut off the bench. He would add a lot more steel to Spurs’ midfield in a much tougher game.
Tottenham predicted line-up
Man City vs Tottenham stats
– Tottenham have won just two of their last 11 visits to the Etihad Stadium
– Tottenham have scored 12 goals on their last four visits to the Etihad
– Over 2.5 goals has landed in five of City’s last seven games
– Manchester City have won four of their last 12 Premier League games against Spurs
– There has been 21 goals in the last four Premier League matches between the two sides (City 9, Spurs 12)
Thomas Frank (Tottenham) quotes
On whether his squad his stronger after recent transfers:
“You can say that’s two players in, two players out, so probably pretty similar I would say, but also, as I said, I think in my first press conference, was that I think it’s a good squad. I think there’s some talented players. I think there’s some quality players in there as well so probably the same level, but I think that’s good. Then it’s up to me together with the players and the staff to make sure we can compete, and then as I said, we do what we can to strengthen it.”
On Richarlison:
“Right now he is my starting nine. He scored two top goals. Richy wants to stay, I want to keep him and there’s been no talks about anything else.”
Pep Guardiola (Man City) quotes
On Thomas Frank’s impact at Spurs:
“It’s too early to know (how they have changed) but I have no doubt that Thomas will do an incredible job at a big, big club, just like he did at Brentford. He is a top class manager and he offers a different alternative to how they can play. Going in to a new club is always funny and a different challenge but you have to wait.”
On City’s fear factor:
“I like a lot of things I am seeing on a daily basis in training and in behaviours but I would be a magician to know what is going to happen, I don’t know.”
Man City vs Tottenham referee stats
Peter Bankes gets the nod for this clash after overseeing Nottingham Forest’s 3-1 win over Brentford last weekend.
He showed three yellow cards on Sunday, which is roughly in line with his average of 3.74 yellows a game last season.
He averaged 20.09 fouls from 23 Premier League games in the 2024/25 campaign, showing 86 yellows and just three reds, making him one of the less card happy refs in the top flight.
Man City vs Tottenham prediction
Tottenham’s price for consecutive wins at the Etihad is incredibly appealing.
Bookies aren’t taking much stock in Spurs sweeping aside Burnley but perhaps they are ignoring their impressive display in the Super Cup defeat to PSG.
Kudus was very ordinary at West Ham last year and didn’t appear to be interested at times, but one game into his Tottenham career and he appears a new man already. City might struggle to cope with Spurs’ new look attack and might find it hard to break down a better organised defence under Frank.
Our other selection comes from one of City’s new faces. Tijjani Reijnders could play a vital role for City this season and the former AC Milan man will be keen to impress the fans on his home debut.
He had three shots, a goal and an assist against Wolves, plus he averaged 1.67 shots a game at the Club World Cup. Chalk him down for two shots at the Etihad.