Tottenham lineup vs. Man City: Predicted XI for Premier League clash

Tottenham Hotspur will be without eight players for Saturday lunchtime’s Premier League clash with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

James Maddison, who scored twice for Spurs in a 4-0 win at the Etihad last season, is ruled out with a long-term ACL injury and is joined on the sidelines by Radu Dragusin (ACL), Dejan Kulusevski, Bryan Gil (both knee), Manor Solomon (calf) and Kota Takai (foot).

New head coach Thomas Frank has confirmed that Destiny Udogie (knee) is "better" and has taken part in two training sessions this week, but Saturday's fixture will come too soon for the left-back, and the same can be said for midfielder Yves Bissouma who remains out with an unspecified issue. 

Spurs lined up with a back four against Burnley, but Frank may be tempted to switch to a five-man defence against Man City, including Pedro Porro and Djed Spence as wing-backs. Kevin Danso, meanwhile, could be recalled to partner captain Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven at centre-back, protecting goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.

Rodrigo Bentancur will hope to return to the starting lineup in centre-midfield to play alongside summer signing Joao Palhinha, while Pape Sarr could operate in an advanced role alongside new recruit Mohammed Kudus.

Kudus provided two assists on his debut against Burnley for Richarlison, who remains Frank's “starting nine" despite the return to fitness of fellow striker Dominic Solanke. Brennan Johnson is another attacking option who also netted against Burnley, but he could be one sacrificed if Frank switches to a back five.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup: Vicario; Danso, Romero, Van de Ven; Porro, Bentancur, Palhinha, Spence; Sarr, Kudus; Richarlison

> Click here to see how Manchester City could line up for this contest