Manchester City return to Premier League action at the Etihad Stadium against Thomas Frank’s Tottenham Hotspur.
City are top of the table after one week thanks to an emphatic 4-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, whilst Spurs are just below them in 3rd place after a 3-0 win against newly promoted Burnley.
The main story away from the pitch comes from the Lilywhites currently chasing City winger Savinho as their priority transfer target, with the Brazilian expected to not take part in the game after
missing training sessions for the past week with a reported injury.
Here are five things to look out for in City’s first home match of the campaign:
Who starts on the left of attack?
In a largely fantastic performance last week against Wolves, Jeremy Doku stood out as having an under par game by his standards.
Such is the level of competition in the City side, I very much anticipate Doku to drop out, in which case he’d probably be replaced by Omar Marmoush or the fit again Phil Foden.
However, I’d like to see new signing Rayan Cherki positioned on the left, with the license for him to roam inside and let left back Rayan Ait-Nouri push forward to provide width.
Ideally he’d be playing as an out and out ten, but Tijjani Reijnders was so good against Wolves he deserves to keep his place as the central attacking midfielder.
The abundance of quality is clear, and that’s without adding either Savinho or his potential replacement Rodrygo to the mix.
Stones/Dias partnership
The last time Ruben Dias and John Stones started together in the Premier League before last week’s game was actually the 2-1 win away to Wolves last season, where Stones scored a last minute winner.
They’re both top quality centre backs, with their only issue – particularly Stones – being availability.
Particularly with Josko Gvardiol’s injury keeping him out of this game, I expect Stones and Dias to start again at the heart of City’s defence, where they’ll be focused with the task of keeping Richarlison quiet.
Another deep block for City to penetrate
Frank has had previous success with Brentford against City, thanks largely to playing a deep, narrow defence and quick forward passes on the attack.
The new Spurs boss lined up with a 5-3-2 and managed a 2-2 draw against European Champions PSG, and I suspect he’ll use the same system against City.
This is when the recent recruitment of the Blues comes into handy; there are so many different options available that offer something unique against a deep block.
Cherki has the ability in tight spaces to pick out a pass, Reijnders attacks space in the box, Marmoush has a terrific shot on him and Doku and Oscar Bobb’s one vs one ability creates space in wide areas.
I think Spurs will both look a threat on the break and sit deep, but ultimately City will have too much quality for them in both boxes.
Return of Rodri and Foden
Returning back to the matchday squad (as confirmed by Pep Guardiola) will be Rodri and Foden.
Comfortably the two best players of the 2023/24 season, their absence last season (in terms of Rodri’s injury and Foden’s poor form) took its toll on the team as a whole.
Both have started this season with knocks, but are now available again to at least be a part of matchday squads, and if City can get them both back into top form they’ll be back as an elite team this campaign.
The last time we see a few club legends
It’s important to note as well, as the final home match before the end of the window, that this could be the last time we see a few iconic City players appear at the Etihad Stadium.
Ederson has been constantly linked with a move to Galatasaray, who are digging their heels in over their €10 million valuation of the City goalkeeper.
They’ve since agreed a £15 million fee with City for Manuel Akanji, who is yet to decide his future with reported other offers from clubs.
And like with Ederson, Ilkay Gundogan has been of mild interest to a few clubs this summer, including once again Galatasaray.
MLS sides have also reportedly been circling around the 34-year-old, who City are rumoured to be content to let leave.
If it is the last time we see them play on Saturday, then we can say it’s been a privilege to see them contribute so greatly to successful City sides, and any fan wishes them nothing but the best for the future.
