Later on this afternoon, Spurs will take to the field as they face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium for match day of the 24/25 Premier League season.
Weirdly, City come into this game having lost four games in a row for the first time under Pep Guardiola. The first of those four games of course being against Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last month. However, in this international break, Pep Guardiola has extended his contract at the club, with the clarity potentially being able to give them a boost on the pitch.
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As for Spurs, they come into this game with many absentees. Micky van de Ven’s injury in the aforementioned Carabao Cup tie against City will keep him sidelined here, and likely for the next few games as well. Cristian Romero has not recovered from the foot injury he suffered on international duty with Argentina, and Wilson Odobert has had hamstring surgery.
How both teams are lining up for this evening's showdown
Therefore, Ange Postecoglu has opted for the following starting XI; Vicario, Porro, Dragusin, Davies, Udogie; Sarr, Bissouma, Maddison; Kulusevski, Solanke, Son.
The skipper scored two goals with South Korea on international duty during the break, and Spurs will need him to be at his absolute best if they are to have a proper chance in this game. Johnson grabbed a goal for Wales, and his pace in behind will be key in this game.
In midfield, Kulusevski was at his absolute best during the Carabao Cup win over City, and comes into this game after a really productive international break with Sweden. The 24-year old scored the equaliser in this fixture last season, and scored + assisted in this fixture in 21/22, where Spurs won the game in stoppage time.
However, based on the graphics, he does appear to be on the right-wing for this one, which is a shame. Either that, or it is Maddison off the left and Son off the right.
Elsewhere, Udogie’s role with Italy during the break was limited to two substitute appearances, giving him some much needed rest, and we will hopefully see the rewards of that this evening. That too, with Solanke, who played 15 minutes during the break - the striker had looked tired beforehand, so that should have done him some good.
As for Manchester City, Pep has opted for a line up of; Ederson; Walker, Stones, Akanji, Gvardiol; Lewis, Gundogan, Silva; Savio, Haaland, Foden.
Despite being back in training this week, De Bruyne and Grealish are only named on the bench. Spurs fans will no doubt in particular be relieved at seeing De Bruyne on the bench, though we know what he can do even in a cameo.
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