Team news, stats and prediction ahead of Manchester City vs Tottenham in the Premier League.
Team news
Midfielder Fernandinho is back in contention as Manchester City have close to a fully-fit squad available for Saturday's Premier League clash with Tottenham. The Brazilian missed last week's opener against West Ham having returned to
training late following international duty.
Winger Leroy Sane is the only major absentee as he awaits knee surgery while left-back Benjamin Mendy is unlikely to be involved as he builds up match fitness.
Tottenham are still without hamstring injury victims Dele Alli and Ryan Sessegnon.
Juan Foyth and Son Heung-min are both suspended but Spurs are otherwise at full strength.
Christian Eriksen and Jan Vertonghen are vying for starts while Giovani Lo Celso could be on the bench following his deadline day move from Real Betis.
How to watch
Man City vs Tottenham is live on Saturday Night Football from 5pm; Kick-off is 5.30pm. Sky Sports customers can watch in-game clips in the live match blog on the Sky Sports website and app. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.
Opta stats
- Manchester City have won their last four Premier League games against Tottenham Hotspur - they have never won five consecutive league games against them, with this their 141st meeting.
- Spurs have taken just four points from their last nine Premier League visits to the Etihad Stadium against Manchester City (W1 D1 L7).
- Manchester City haven't lost their opening home league match in a top-flight season since 1989-90 against Southampton - they are unbeaten in 24 matches since (W16 D8 L0).
- Spurs lost their last six away Premier League matches of the 2018-19 season - they haven't lost seven in a row since December 2000 under George Graham.
- When conceding no more than one goal in a Premier League match, Manchester City are unbeaten in 83 Premier League games since a 0-1 loss at Liverpool in December 2016. However, when conceding more than one goal, the Citizens have lost their last six Premier League matches.
- Tottenham had more shots than any other Premier League side on MD1 (31). 18 of these efforts came in the 26 minutes Christian Eriksen was on the pitch (58%).
- Man City's Sergio Aguero has scored 96 Premier League goals at the Etihad Stadium. One more will see him go joint-third with Alan Shearer and St James' Park for most Premier League goals scored at a specific stadium.
- Raheem Sterling - who scored a hat-trick on the opening weekend - has been directly involved in six goals in his last six games for Man City against Spurs in all competitions (5 goals, 1 assist), including netting four in his last three against them at the Etihad.
Charlie's prediction
It's a cracking game again I loved the Manchester United game against Chelsea, the way the game unfolded and how expansive it was. This is one of those games. There is a spark in my brain that questions where Mauricio Pochettino thinks he is? It is a judgement of where his team is at. What team will Pep Guardiola pick?
Christian Eriksen came off the bench last week and helped, but do they change the system or format? I think there are issues at Tottenham, but it is not the manager's making. It's between the players and owners, but I see problems here for Tottenham. Man City, with Sterling having scored a hat-trick away from home, are mind-blowing.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: 4-1 (16/1 with Sky Bet)
Fantasy Football tip
Sergio Aguero (£12.1m) loves scoring against top-six sides and hit hat-tricks against Chelsea and Arsenal last season. After City's start at West Ham, there is little reason to believe he could not star again. Speaking of goals, it is hard to look past Raheem Sterling (£11.6m). Can he grab another on his return to the Etihad? Play here.