Tottenham's first away trip of the 2025/26 Premier League season comes at the Etihad on Saturday afternoon, as they face a Manchester City team keen to reclaim their throne.
Thomas Frank has gotten off to an encouraging start as Spurs boss, but the build-up to Gameweek Two has been soured by the club's work, or lack thereof, in the transfer market. Arsenal's hijacking of the Eberechi Eze deal means the new manager still has no fit central playmaker, despite James Maddison succumbing to an ACL tear almost three weeks ago.
The on-field stuff has been positive at least. After a cruel defeat in the UEFA Super Cup, Frank's side cast aside newly promoted Burnley 3-0 on the opening weekend, as Richarlison struck a sublime double.
However, they were one-upped by the Cityzens later in the day. After a disappointing 2024/25 campaign, which failed to return silverware, Pep Guardiola's side laid down an early marker at Molineux. A thumping 4-0 win means they're the very early pace-setters, and many will have memories of our remarkable victory on this ground last season.
Here's our preview of Spurs' upcoming Premier League clash.
Man City vs Tottenham: Preview, Prediction & Lineups
What time does Man City vs Tottenham kick off?
Man City vs Tottenham kicks off on Saturday 23 August at 20:00 BST.
- When is kick off? Saturday 23 August, 2025
- What time is kick off? 12:30 BST
- Where is it played? Etihad Stadium, Manchester
- Referee: Peter Bankes
Man City vs Tottenham head-to-head record (last five games)
Date | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|
26 February 2025 | Tottenham 0-1 Man City | Premier League |
23 November 2024 | Man City 0-4 Tottenham | Premier League |
30 October 2024 | Tottenham 2-1 Man City | Carabao Cup |
14 May 2024 | Tottenham 0-2 Man City | Premier League |
26 January 2024 | Tottenham 0-1 Man City | FA Cup |
How to watch Man City vs Tottenham on TV & live stream
Country | TV Channel/Live Stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | discovery+, Amazon Prime Video, discovery+ App, TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate |
United States | fuboTV, nbcsports.com, NBC Sports App, UNIVERSO NOW, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, USA Network, UNIVERSO |
Canada | DAZN Canada, fuboTV Canada, Amazon Prime Video, Fubo Sports Network Canada |
Man City team news
Pep said that Spurs-linked Savinho and Ederson will miss the start of the season through 'injury', and those two aren't expected to be the only notable absentees for the hosts this weekend.
Phil Foden, Rodri and Josko Gvardiol all missed the opening weekend thrashing at Molineux, and all three are doubts for Spurs' visit. Guardiola will provide updates in his presser, but it's likely none return to his starting XI here.
Mateo Kovacic is a long-term absentee, but City look set in the middle of the park after Tijjani Reijnders' outstanding debut.
Man City predicted lineup vs Tottenham: Trafford; Nunes, Stones, Dias, Ait-Nouri; Reijnders, Nico; Bobb. Marmoush, Doku; Haaland.
Tottenham team news
Frank's flexibility has been on full display during his first two competitive games at the helm, with the Dane switching back to a 4-2-3-1 at the weekend, having deployed a 3-5-2 in the UEFA Super Cup.
I do think the Dane willk revert to a back three here, and aim to play over a City side that are set to evolve out of possession this season with Pep Lijnders joining the club. Thus, Mohammed Kudus will partner Richarlison up top, while Joao Palhinha, Rodrigo Bentancur and Kevin Danso should all come back into the team.
Destiny Udogie remains out of action, so Djed Spence will remain in the team at left wing-back.
Tottenham predicted lineup vs Man City: Vicario; Porro, Danso, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Bentancur, Palhinha, Sarr; Kudus, Richarlison.
Man City vs Tottenham score prediction
Man City looked the part last weekend, even if the eventual 4-0 scoreline flattered them somewhat. Reijnders really scares me.
However, our newfound defensive solidity means this shouldn't be a walk in the park for the hosts, and I expect us to really make Guardiola's side work. The signs from the Super Cup suggest we're going to be a nightmare to play against in these sorts of fixtures.
While Frank may have a formula to ensure Spurs are competitive, we're still big underdogs and even a point would be an excellent result. Given the vibes surrounding the club thanks after the Eze hijack, I'm expecting a doubling down on Saturday. A harsh and slender defeat is befitting of the supporters' current mood.
Prediction: Man City 2-1 Tottenham