Manchester City and Tottenham meet at the Etihad Stadium as both teams look to maintain their perfect starts to the season. Both teams secured convincing 3+ goal victories on the opening weekend and will be eager to make an early statement in what promises to be an entertaining clash.
This fixture carries extra significance given Tottenham’s stunning 4-0 victory at this same venue last season, which was a major blow to City’s title defense hopes.
Match Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Competition | Premier League 2025-26 (Gameweek 2) |
| Date | Saturday, August 23, 2025 |
| Time | 12:30 PM BST (7:30 AM ET) |
| Venue | Etihad Stadium, Manchester |
Recent Form Analysis
Manchester City (Last 5 Matches – All Competitions)
| Match | Opposition | Result | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | Wolves | Won | 4-0 |
| Friendly | Palermo | Won | 3-0 |
| Club World Cup | Al-Hilal | Lost | 4-3 |
| Friendly | Juventus | Won | 5-2 |
| Club World Cup | Al Ain | Won | 6-0 |
Tottenham (Last 5 Matches – All Competitions)
| Match | Opposition | Result | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | Burnley | Won | 3-0 |
| UEFA Super Cup | PSG | Lost | 4-3 (Penalties) |
| Friendly | Bayern Munich | Lost | 4-0 |
| Friendly | Newcastle | Draw | 1-1 |
| Friendly | Arsenal | Won | 1-0 |
Both teams have shown positive signs, with City looking dominant in their league opener and Tottenham showing resilience under new manager Thomas Frank. City’s 4-0 win over Wolves featured impressive performances from new signings, while Spurs’ victory over Burnley highlighted their attacking potential.
Head-to-Head Record (Last 5 Premier League Meetings)
| Date | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 26, 2025 | North London | Man City won 1-0 |
| Nov 23, 2024 | Etihad Stadium | Tottenham won 4-0 |
| May 14, 2024 | North London | Man City won 2-0 |
| Dec 3, 2023 | Etihad Stadium | Draw 3-3 |
| Feb 5, 2023 | North London | Tottenham won 1-0 |
The head-to-head record is really close. However, City have struggled against Spurs recently, managing just four wins in their last 12 Premier League meetings.
Players to Watch
Manchester City
 |  |  |
| Erling Haaland | Tijjani Reijnders | Omar Marmoush |
- Erling Haaland: The Norwegian striker scored twice on opening day and has 48 goals in 48 Premier League home games for City.
- Tijjani Reijnders: The Dutch midfielder was outstanding on his Premier League debut against Wolves, scoring and assisting.
- Omar Marmoush: The new signing could trouble Tottenham’s defense.
Tottenham
 |  | |
| Mohammed Kudus | Richarlison |
- Mohammed Kudus: The Ghanaian forward was exceptional on his debut, providing two assists against Burnley.
- Richarlison: Scored twice against Burnley and was also voted as the player of the week.
Expected Formations
Manchester City: 4-3-3 with Haaland spearheading the attack.
Tottenham: 3-5-2 featuring Kudus and Richarlison as the attacking duo, with wing-backs providing width
Tactical Battle
Pep Guardiola will be determined to avoid a repeat of last season’s 4-0 humiliation. City’s possession-based approach will look to control the tempo, but they’ll need to be wary of Tottenham’s pace on the counter-attack.
Thomas Frank’s Spurs have shown they can be direct and clinical, with Kudus providing the creativity and Richarlison offering the finishing touch. Their defensive setup will be important in containing City’s attacking talent.
Who Will Win Between Man City and Tottenham Today?
This fixture has all the ingredients for another entertaining encounter. Tottenham have had City’s number in recent meetings and possess the quality to cause problems.
However, Manchester City’s home advantage and their statement victory on opening day suggest they’re ready to bounce back from last season’s disappointments. The psychological need to avenge that 4-0 defeat could provide extra motivation.
Both teams should score given their attacking quality and the historical trends, but City’s superior squad depth and home form may prove decisive.
- Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Tottenham
City’s class should tell at home, but expect Spurs to make it competitive and find the net themselves. The match promises goals and entertainment!