Manchester City Opposition Watch: Tottenham will provide a test for Pep Guardiola’s new look team | OneFootball

Manchester City will face their first proper test of the 25/26 season when they face Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium. After a comfortable 4-nil win over Wolves last weekend, a higher-quality opponent awaits Pep Guardiola’s side today. With Thomas Frank as manager, Tottenham figures to be a better side than they were last season. Although they enter today’s match with a host of players out due to injury, they should provide a good early test in the Premier League for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Tottenham should test Manchester City despite missing several key players due to injury.

Thomas Frank’s side began the 25/26 season with a 3-nil win over Burnley at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Richarlison scored a brace either side of a Brennan Johnson strike to wrap up all three points for Tottenham. It was an impressive performance from Thomas Frank’s side against their newly promoted opponent.

The threat of Mohammed Kudus and Richarlison looms large for Pep Guardiola’s side. Those two players do look like they could be a threat on the counter against Manchester City’s high defensive line. The attacking threat that Pedro Porro provides on the right will need to be contained by Pep Guardiola’s side. As will the width that Djed Spence provides on the opposite side. In Cristian Romero and Mickey Van de Ven, Tottenham do possess the makings of a top-quality centre-back pairing.

It also wouldn’t be a surprise to see Tottenham play with five at the back to frustrate City. That is a tactic that Frank has had success with against City when he was the manager of Brentford. It may also be how Frank sets up his team due to the raft of injuries his team is currently dealing with.

Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison are out of today’s match. The pair are sidelined due to serious knee injuries. Their loss will be a blow to Tottenham. They are two of Tottenham’s biggest creative threats, and they have tormented Manchester City in the past.

Per an update on transfernewslive.com, Tottenham will also be without Destiny Udogie, Radu Dragusin, Manor Solomon, Kota Takai and Bryan Gil. Midfielder Yves Bissouma is also in doubt for today’s match.

Pep Guardiola’s side will be hoping to pick up three points at the Etihad today against a tough opponent.

Manchester City will be hoping to build upon last weekend’s win over Wolves. To do that, they will have to overcome an opponent that has given them a difficult time in seasons past. Last season’s 4-nil loss to Spurs at the Etihad remains fresh in the memory. Thomas Frank’s side will be a tough opponent for City at the Etihad Stadium. Despite their injury issues they are managed by a manager who has had success against City in the past. Also, Spurs have a habit of upsetting Pep Guardiola’s side so City will have to be at their best to build upon last weekend’s impressive start to the 25/26 season.