Despite it still being early days in the 2024/2025 Premier League season, Manchester City will consider their contest against Tottenham Hotspur after the international break as a must-win game.
Pep Guardiola’s men have shown time and again that they are experts are being the chasers in titles races, coming back from behind to reign supreme by beating Liverpool in 2019 and 2022 as well as Arsenal in 2024.
But Manchester City would consider Arne Slot’s side further extending their lead beyond five points as ideal, especially taking into account the form they are currently in.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  LiverpoolLiverpool | 11 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 21 | 6 | 15 | 28 |
| 2 |  Man CityManchester City | 11 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 22 | 13 | 9 | 23 |
| 3 |  ChelseaChelsea | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 21 | 13 | 8 | 19 |
| 4 |  ArsenalArsenal | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 18 | 12 | 6 | 19 |
| 5 |  Nottm ForestNottingham Forest | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 19 |
| 6 |  BrightonBrighton | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 19 | 15 | 4 | 19 |
Rodri’s absence makes this City side weaker and in his absence, it could be argued that it is more necessary than in the past for them to stay in touching distance of Liverpool.
The Reds are flying and as things stand, it looks difficult to envisage them dropping needless points.
As a result, a win against Tottenham could mean the world to this Manchester City side.
Five Tottenham players could be ruled out of Man City clash
Especially if Liverpool also end up dropping points against Southampton, the Sky Blues will host Spurs at the Etihad Stadium with a wind in their sails.
Ange Postecoglou’s side will also be looking to return to winning ways after having lost 2-1 to Ipswich Town.
It has been confirmed, as per a report by BBC Sport that Rodrigo Bentancur has been handed a seven-match ban for making racially insensitive comments about Son Heung-min.
Aside from Bentancur, a report by The Standard has revealed that Tottenham could also miss four of their key players through injury.
Micky van de Ven, who sustained a hamstring injury in the Lilywhites’ 2-1 victory against City in the Carabao Cup is believed to have avoided a serious injury but Saturday’s game might be considered too soon for him to make a return to the side.
As for the Dutchman’s centre-back partner Cristian Romero, he was substituted at half-time for Argentina in their 2-1 defeat against Paraguay. It has been claimed that Romero has been struck by the same injury he suffered in Tottenham’s 4-1 thrashing of Aston Villa and his availability has come under question for the game against Manchester City.
Tottenham confirmed on X that Wilson Odobert underwent a surgery on his right hamstring and he is expected to be ruled out for a while.
Richarlison took to Instagram to recently confirm that he had suffered a fresh injury blow as well after setting Dominic Solanke’s second goal against Aston Villa.
Man City will be hoping Bernardo Silva injury wish is granted
Bernardo Silva discussed the international break by admitting that one reason why it has come at the right time for Manchester City is as it will help their injured players return to full fitness.
Bernardo said: “This break has been very beneficial for us. Let’s not deny it, it was a difficult time for our team.”
“It had never happened to me in my career. At City, I can’t even remember losing two games in a row.”
“It’s done us good because there are players who will be back from injury and we have fresh heads to get back to our maximum level at this stage of the season.”
With only seven Manchester City players heading to international duty indicates how injuries have ravaged their squad.
If City can manage to put forth a starting line-up that features their key players such as Kevin De Bruyne, Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji to name a few, they could take advantage of Tottenham’s absences and consider themselves as favourites to win at home.
