Reigning champions Manchester City will take on Tottenham Hotspur in their opening game of the new season. Pep Guardiola will be expecting his players to make a statement of intent on Sunday against Nuno’s men. The Catalan manager confirmed on Friday that Kevin De Bruyne is a doubt for Sunday’s game as he is in the process of recovery. He will be hoping for his summer signing Jack Grealish to be more than capable in midfield in absence of the Belgian.
Predicted 4-2-3-1 Manchester City Line Up Against Spurs
Defence
Ederson reported late for training as he was on an extended break after national team duties. However, he is set to guard the goal against Spurs on Sunday.
John Stones is set to start the game at the heart of the defence. He will be partnered with Ruben Dias who will look to carry his amazing form since last season. Aymeric Laporte, however, will be up for contention after his solid display in the Euros. Although he will probably find a spot on the bench as Guardiola will look to field his best team.
Kyle Walker was outstanding for England at the Euros and is expected to start at the right flank of defence. Oleksandr Zinchenko looked defensively solid every time he was deployed ahead of Ben Mendy and he is set to be played on the left-hand side.
Midfield
Spaniard Rodri will be deployed to cover the defensive line while Gundogan will be placed to carry the ball forward. These two formed quite a partnership last term and it allowed attacking players to play freely.
Summer arrival Jack Grealish is set to make his league debut as Pep will look to give some much-needed rest to Phil Foden. The latter will probably find a spot on the bench and will come on at some point in the second half. Grealish will have Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez on either side of him making darting runs inwards from the wings. Mahrez was on hot form during City’s pre-season games and would look to continue the same.
Attack
While the arrival of Harry Kane from Spurs will certainly help the Citizens in attack, until then Guardiola will look towards his Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus to lead the line.
Spaniard Ferran Torres might come on to make a cameo appearance in the second forty-five minutes.
