Manchester City and Tottenham kicked off their 2025/26 Premier League seasons with dominant wins last weekend.
Thomas Frank’s top-flight debut as Spurs boss saw his team roar past Burnley with a 3-0 win in North London before a rampant City beat Wolves 4-0 at Molineux.
That sets up their August 23 meeting at the Etihad Stadium perfectly as an early season test for both Frank and his opposite number Pep Guardiola.
Frank is still looking to recruit more new faces before the transfer window closes on September 1 but the latest update indicates he will miss out on Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze.
City had the second-best home winning record in the Premier League last season, with 13 wins compared to Liverpool’s 14, but they have consistently struggled against Spurs in recent years.
Ahead of an eye-catching clash – The Sporting News takes a look at three key issues on the Etihad agenda.
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Pep Guardiola’s record vs. Tottenham
Since Guardiola’s arrival at City ahead of the 2016/17 season, Spurs have gone through five permanent managers, with Frank the sixth.
Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo, Antonio Conte and Ange Postecoglou have since departed – but with all five securing at least one win over Pep.
Guardiola won four of his first six Premier League games against Spurs, but that changed from 2019/20, winning just four of next 12.
His plans seems to go to pieces when Spurs visit Manchester, hammered 4-0 at home by Postecoglou’s charges in November 2024, and snatching a 3-3 home draw in the previous campaign.
Frank is far more pragmatic than Ange, so the goals might not fly, but Pep will still be nervous ahead of this one.
Hitman Haaland vs. Spurs
Guardiola might tense up at the sight of Spurs on the fixture schedule but his main man in attack has enjoyed his clashes with the North Londoners.
The Norwegian scored on his first appearance against them in 2022 and has three in his last three – including a winner away from home last season.
The 25-year-old hit the ground running with two superbly taken goals at Wolves and he will be feeling confident up against Frank’s drilled defence.
Tottenham tweak to ruffle City
After a strong showing against Burnley, Frank is unlikely to change too much in Manchester, but he cannot afford to be underprepared.
Ever the pragmatist, the Dane will want to ensure his team are not left wanting through the middle of the pitch, and Joao Palhinha could be the ideal candidate to come in.
Divulgação
Lucas Bergvall and Pape Sarr will probably keep their spots, with Archie Gray benched, and Palhinha will be keen to offer a reminder of his capabilities as a Premier League midfield enforcer.
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