Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur: Preview, Prediction & Lineups for Premier League 2025/26 Round 2 Clash
The Etihad Stadium will host a blockbuster Premier League fixture as Manchester City face Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, August 23, 2025, in the second round of the 2025/26 season. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM BST, with both sides aiming to make a statement early in the campaign.
Match Overview
| Fixture | Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, August 23, 2025 |
| Time | 6:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM BST |
| Venue | Etihad Stadium, Manchester |
| Competition | Premier League 2025/26 – Matchday 2 |
Manchester City: Searching for Redemption After a Tough Campaign
After a disappointing 2024/25 season, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are aiming to reclaim domestic dominance. The club has brought in Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki, both of whom impressed in their opening win against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
However, City face an injury crisis, with key players such as Rodri, Phil Foden, Mateo Kovačić, and Josko Gvardiol unavailable. On top of that, Ederson and Savinho are reportedly unsettled, sparking transfer rumors.
Despite these challenges, City’s depth and home advantage make them favorites for the clash.
Predicted Manchester City Starting XI (4-3-3)
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Stefan Ortega |
| Defenders | Kyle Walker, Rúben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Aké |
| Midfielders | Tijjani Reijnders, Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne |
| Forwards | Jack Grealish, Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki |
Unavailable: Rodri, Phil Foden, Mateo Kovačić, Josko Gvardiol
Doubtful/Unsettled: Ederson, Savinho
Tottenham Hotspur: New Era Under Thomas Frank
Tottenham Hotspur have started a fresh chapter under Thomas Frank, who replaced Ange Postecoglou this summer. The team has shown promise in pre-season and will aim to test City’s weakened midfield and backline.
One of Spurs’ major transfer moves has been the acquisition of Eberechi Eze, who has agreed to personal terms and could make an appearance. Frank is expected to adopt a pragmatic, counter-attacking approach to exploit City’s vulnerabilities.
Predicted Tottenham Hotspur Starting XI (4-2-3-1)
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Guglielmo Vicario |
| Defenders | Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie |
| Midfield (Double Pivot) | Yves Bissouma, Rodrigo Bentancur |
| Attacking Midfield | Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Eberechi Eze |
| Striker | Richarlison |
Unavailable: None confirmed
New Signings: Eberechi Eze (may debut)
Head-to-Head & Stats Comparison
| Category | Manchester City | Tottenham Hotspur |
|---|---|---|
| 2024/25 League Finish | 3rd | 6th |
| Points in 2024/25 | 78 | 65 |
| Goals Scored (2024/25) | 82 | 66 |
| Goals Conceded (2024/25) | 36 | 51 |
| Top Scorer (2024/25) | Erling Haaland (26) | Heung-min Son (18) |
| Last 5 Meetings | 3 Wins | 2 Wins |
| Last Result | Spurs 2-3 City | — |
Tactical Battle: Possession vs Counter-Attack
This match will feature a classic stylistic clash:
- Manchester City will look to control the tempo with their possession-heavy system, aiming to isolate Haaland in the final third.
- Tottenham, under Frank, are expected to press selectively and counter rapidly, using the pace of Kulusevski, Eze, and Udogie.
Midfield balance will be crucial, especially with City missing Rodri and Kovačić.
Prediction: Narrow Win for the Champions
City’s depleted squad opens the door for a tight contest, but their depth, experience, and Etihad record make them slight favorites. Spurs’ renewed energy under Thomas Frank could see them cause problems, especially on the break.
🎯 Predicted Score: Manchester City 2-1 Tottenham Hots
- Erling Haaland (City) – Always a threat up front
- Eberechi Eze (Spurs) – Could be a game-changer if he starts
