Manchester City - Tottenham 23-08-25

The big matches come like pearls on a string at the beginning of this season. This time it is Spurs who are visiting the light blues in Manchester. Both teams opened with three clean points, and with that the bad season of last year was forgotten for Tottenham. Or, that is not entirely true. Burnley visited the lily whites in the first match, and got what the hat fit. But, that is strictly speaking how it should be. James Maddison's injury still hangs heavy over the club, and the reality is that this will be a tough Saturday on the trip north. Because Manchester City looked fearsome against the wolves. Haaland found his way to the net again, and several newcomers started with goal involvements. All with both Rodri and Foden on the sidelines. Pep's boys are going to be dangerous this season, and now Spurs will get to know where the list is.

Manchester City – Full of revenge

For City have been a bit spoiled in recent seasons. They have set the bar extremely high, and thus tore into their own ambitions last season. There was little that worked, and the well-oiled machine hiccupped somewhat violently. That's how Guardiola provokes it, and then only reconquering the throne is the only prescription. Manchester City will be difficult to push this season.

The additions were already shown in the first game. Reijnders in particular was the leader, with both scoring and assisting. You could literally see the Fantasy managers flocking to the new ball-playing genius. It will be exciting to see this man in the team with Rodri in time. Another who got valuable minutes against Wolves was our own Bobb. The Norwegian also had an assist, and finally the injuries seem to have been overcome. The battle for minutes in the offensive positions for City will be intense, however. Because in addition to the ones already mentioned, we have Doku, Silva, Foden, Cherki and Marmoush. Pep has done it again, what an arsenal he has put together. And Cherki? Yes, he came on of course and scored a great goal. City shone like the sun last weekend.

The breadth of the squad is almost unparalleled. While City looked rock solid in the first game, they were without Ake, Akanji, Nunes and Guardiola. Four mammoths who had started for most Premier League teams seven days a week. If they can keep all these players happy, Slot and Arteta will get their full wages in keeping the monster at bay. The Manchester City train seems to be rolling again. An xG in the first match, away from home, of almost 2.50, illustrates the team's dominance. What will we see when the team plays in front of its own fans?

Tottenham – What version of Spurs will we get this season?

Because this will be the test. Tottenham had a terrible season last year, almost without parallel. They saved some of their glory with some silverware at the end, but the league season almost ended with relegation. You can't be familiar with something like that in a big club like Tottenham after all. This season they have to deliver better, and it started so promisingly.

A strong 3-0 win over newly promoted Burnley was pleasing. That Richarlison would emerge as the hero was not entirely expected, but all the more pleasant for Thomas Frank in his first Premier League match as Spurs boss. Now they must live up to the great start, and hold off Manchester City. There is not much time to rest on their laurels.

Spurs have some critical absences in Maddison and Kulusevski. Solanke is on his way back, and it is possible that he will get the nod ahead of Richarlison on Saturday. In that case, he will be flanked by Johnson and Kudus, with Sarr probably in the middle. This is a current line-up up front, but it is not a frightening four-clover. This is a bit of a challenge for Frank, they have some pretty good players, but he does not rule over any top four teams. I am a little afraid that Spurs will come brutally down to earth again after the victory in the opening round, because the difference between home against Burnley versus away against City could hardly be greater.

Tottenham will probably be more stable under Frank compared to what was the situation with Ange. More consistent performances, a lower line, and not as many defeats. However, the squad is largely the same, and unless Eze also enters the gates before August is over, it may become somewhat thin. Now it seems that Palace's ball-elegant will end up in London, just in a slightly different color of the shirt. Eze will play together with Ødegaard throughout the autumn. Maddison's injury was very destructive for the season's recharge, and in combination with the lack of transfers, the overall impression is not all that great.

Conclusion – True quality meets a great team in disguise

Because we still think Spurs had it a little too easy against Burnley. It will be different now. The spaces for Tottenham's attacking players will disappear, and you will constantly find yourself further away from the opponent's goal. City will own this game from the first whistle, and whether it's Cherki, Reijnders, Bobb or Haaland, there will be many men to keep an eye on for the away team.

We think the home team only got water on the mill in the first game, and that they will now show their own fans that they are serious this season. In addition, the latest reports say that both Foden and Rodri are on target for a return to the first team. Possibly they will both be in the squad against Spurs, as if the width was a problem in the first place. The challenge for Pep is probably more in the direction of who to leave out.

Tottenham will have to deal with a home team who are clear favourites on Saturday. The battle for midfield is always crucial in these big matches, and we are afraid that the away team will fall short here. City's quality is so great in this team part, and if this battle is lost, the war itself will be almost decided. We think City will plant the flag and grab three more points.

Given the attacking qualities of the home team, we have difficulty imagining City scoring just one goal. Two or three goals at home seems more likely, so then it's only the away team we have to consider in terms of betting. We launch one that seems relatively safe in that regard, and one that is a little more hairy.

England at 13:30: Manchester City – Tottenham: Home win + Over 1.5 goals in total in the match (1.71)

Alternative game

England at 1:30 PM: Manchester City – Tottenham: Home win – 1.5 goals (2.30)