As Manchester City return to club football with an away trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the fourth round of the FA Cup, we have given our view on their potential predicted lineup for the clash.
Pep Guardiola’s men have a record to forget at Spurs’ away stadium, having failed to score a single goal at the ground since it opened in 2019.
Manchester City predicted lineup vs Tottenham Hotspur
In goal, Stefan Ortega could replace Ederson, despite the Brazilian recently being pictured in training during the club’s recent warm-weather training camp in Abu Dhabi after the injury he suffered mid-game against Newcastle United.
The £55,000-a-week (Sport Rac) man started in the third round of the FA Cup against Huddersfield and as a result, the same could be the case, as per our Manchester City predicted lineup to face Tottenham.
According to FbRef, Kyle Walker has played the most number of minutes (2,249) out of any player in the Sky Blues’ squad across all competitions this season.
With that in mind, it is unlikely that the Englishman will be benched as he gears up to face his former employers, Tottenham.
The injured Manuel Akanji was still not deemed to be ready to return to training in Abu Dhabi. And as for John Stones, he only recently returned to training after being out of action since City’s 3-1 win against Everton.
As a result, it is difficult to look past Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake starting in the centre of defence against Tottenham in the FA Cup, as was the case against Newcastle, according to our Manchester City predicted lineup.
Due to the shortage of options at the back, Pep Guardiola will likely also find it hard to look past Josko Gvardiol at left-back, leading to him fielding an unchanged backline against Ange Postecoglou’s side.
With Kalvin Phillips set to sign for West Ham on an official basis on Thursday, as per Fabrizio Romano, Rodri seems dead set to keep his place in the side.
However, after Oscar Bobb’s late stunner against Newcastle, perhaps Mateo Kovacic could lose his place in the XI.
But Bobb is likely to play as a part of the frontline, if he does start, with Bernardo Silva potentially taking the Croatian’s spot in the middle of the park after starting on the right flank against the Magpies.
In the number ten role against Tottenham could be Phil Foden, as per our Manchester City predicted lineup.
After his side’s 3-2 victory against Newcastle, Pep Guardiola revealed that Kevin De Bruyne is “not ready” to play 90 minutes of football yet and as a result, one expects him to come off the bench on Friday.
On the right wing, Oscar Bobb may have earned a start after dazzling against Eddie Howe’s side.
Up front, Julian Alvarez seems guaranteed to retain his place against Tottenham in our Manchester City predicted lineup, with a recent report claiming that the injured Erling Haaland is unlikely to feature against Spurs and seems likelier to return to action against Burnley.
On the left wing, Jeremy Doku could be given another start after returning to the pitch against Newcastle.
Manchester City predicted lineup vs Tottenham Hotspur: Ortega, Walker, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Foden, Bobb, Alvarez, Doku
