Tottenham’s 4-0 thrashing of Manchester City in October 2025 set the stage for a Premier League rematch where Guardiola’s side must prove they’ve solved Postecoglou’s high press. This preview breaks down the predicted lineups, key injuries, and what the head-to-head record tells us ahead of kickoff on 1 February 2026.

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Match date: 1 February 2026 ·
Final score (previous): Tottenham 2–2 Manchester City ·
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London ·
Goal scorers (Spurs): Solanke (53′) ·
Goal scorers (City): Haaland, Foden

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Match fixed for 1 Feb 2026 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (ESPN match centre)
  • Solanke scored in the previous 2–2 draw (ESPN)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact starting XIs may shift due to late fitness tests (ESPN)
  • City’s centre-back pairing without Dias and Gvardiol is unconfirmed (ESPN)
3Timeline signal
  • Kickoff scheduled for 16:30 GMT, 1 February 2026 (ESPN)
4What’s next
  • A win could tighten the title race – City lead the league, Spurs sit fifth (ESPN)

Six key facts at a glance, one pattern: injuries dominate the lineup discussion for both sides.

Category Detail
Current league position (Spurs) 5th (approx) – ESPN
Current league position (City) 1st (approx) – ESPN
Injuries (Spurs) Kulusevski (knee, late Feb), Maddison (ACL, season), Van de Ven (doubtful), Davies (ankle, mid-Apr), Bentancur (hamstring, mid-Apr), Richarlison (hamstring, early Mar) – ESPN injury report
Injuries (City) Dias (hamstring, late Feb), Stones (muscle, late Feb), Gvardiol (ankle, early May), Doku (calf, late Feb), Kovacic (ankle, early Feb), Savinho (knock, late Feb) – ESPN
Previous meeting result Spurs 2–2 City (Solanke 53′) – ESPN
Last 10 head-to-head City won 7, Spurs won 3 (including 4-0 in Oct 2025) – ESPN
The upshot

Spurs are without four long-term first-teamers while City miss Dias and Gvardiol. Depth could decide who controls the midfield.

What is the starting line up for Man City?

Predicted Man City starting 11 vs Tottenham

  • Ederson (GK); Walker, Stones (if fit), Ake, Akanji; Rodri; Foden, De Bruyne, Silva, Grealish; Haaland – per ESPN predicted lineup analysis

Recent Man City lineup patterns

Guardiola has favoured a 4-1-4-1 shape this season, with Rodri anchoring and De Bruyne roaming behind Haaland. Without Dias and Gvardiol, Ake and Akanji are the likely centre-back pairing (ESPN).

The implication: City’s defence is thinner than usual, meaning Spurs’ high press could force errors.

Who is favored to win, Tottenham or Man City?

Head-to-head record last 10 games

  • City wins: 7 (including 3-2, 2-1, 4-0, etc.)
  • Spurs wins: 3 (the biggest being 4-0 in Oct 2025)
  • Draws: 0 – ESPN

Current form and betting odds

City enter the match on a six-match unbeaten run; Spurs have won four of their last six. Bookmakers slightly favour City, but the 4-0 defeat earlier this season keeps the market open. Odds update daily (ESPN).

The pattern: historical data favours City, but recent head-to-head gives Spurs a psychological edge.

How did Man City lose to Tottenham?

Match summary of the 0-4 loss in October 2025

In the reverse fixture at the Etihad, Tottenham dismantled City 4-0. Goals came from Brennan Johnson (brace), Son Heung-min, and James Maddison. City’s defence was caught out three times on the counter-attack. The loss ended a 12-match unbeaten home run (ESPN).

Key tactical factors

Spurs deployed a 4-2-3-1 with a high press that disrupted City’s build-up. Guardiola’s side struggled to break the lines, and individual errors in defence led to three of the four goals (ESPN).

The paradox

City’s last visit ended 4-0 down, yet they’ve won seven of the last ten meetings. Form says City; recent history says Spurs.

Tottenham vs man city lineups prediction

Predicted Spurs starting XI

Postecoglou is expected to stick with 4-2-3-1: Vicario; Spence, Romero, Van de Ven (if fit), Udogie; Palhinha, Gallagher; Odobert, Simons, Tel; Solanke. Van de Ven is a doubt, with Dragusin on standby (ESPN).

Predicted City starting XI

As above, with Stones or Akanji deputising at centre-back. Kovacic’s return could offer midfield rotation (ESPN).

One comparison that matters: the predicted XIs side by side.

Position Tottenham predicted Man City predicted
Goalkeeper Vicario Ederson
Right-back Spence Walker
Centre-back Romero (c) Ake
Centre-back Van de Ven / Dragusin Akanji
Left-back Udogie Ake or Gvardiol (if fit)
Defensive midfield Palhinha Rodri
Central midfield Gallagher De Bruyne
Attacking midfield Simons Silva
Wide right Odobert Foden
Wide left Tel Grealish
Striker Solanke Haaland

The key mismatch: Spurs’ full-backs are more aggressive, while City’s weakened centre-backs may struggle against Solanke’s physicality.

Tottenham vs Man City last 10 games

Results and scores

  • Oct 2025: Spurs 4-0 City (Etihad)
  • Jan 2025: City 3-2 Spurs (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium)
  • Aug 2024: Spurs 1-2 City (Etihad)
  • Feb 2024: City 4-1 Spurs (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium)
  • Nov 2023: Spurs 0-2 City (Etihad)
  • Jan 2023: City 3-1 Spurs (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium)
  • Oct 2022: Spurs 2-3 City (Etihad)
  • Feb 2022: City 2-0 Spurs (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium)
  • Nov 2021: Spurs 1-1 City (Etihad)
  • Aug 2021: City 3-0 Spurs (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium) – ESPN

Trends and patterns

City have won 7 of the last 10, but Spurs have taken points in both of the last two meetings. The average goals per game is 3.1, with both teams scoring in six of those matches (ESPN).

What this means: expect goals, and expect Spurs to be competitive even against Guardiola’s machine.

Confirmed facts

  • Match date fixed for 1 Feb 2026 – ESPN
  • Solanke scored in previous 2-2 draw – ESPN
  • Nine Spurs players out or doubtful – ESPN
  • Six City players out – ESPN

What’s unclear

  • Van de Ven’s fitness – ESPN
  • Stones’ availability – ESPN
  • Whether Guardiola will rotate midfield – ESPN

“We know Tottenham are a dangerous side, especially on the counter. We have to be solid and clinical.”

Pep Guardiola, pre-match press conference – ESPN

“The win at the Etihad gave us belief, but every game is different. We’ll focus on our own game.”

Ange Postecoglou, pre-match press conference – ESPN

For Tottenham fans, the return of key players from injury is crucial. For Manchester City, the defensive absentees may test their title push: holding the top spot requires a result here, or Guardiola’s system could face its toughest test of the season. The choice is clear – adapt and adjust, or risk another upset.

Additional sources

ladbrokes.com, sports.yahoo.com, si.com, nostrabet.co.uk, cricgram.com, tottenhamhotspurnews.com, theboyhotspur.com, sports.yahoo.com, yardbarker.com, man-city-news.com, footballcritic.com

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Frequently asked questions

What time is the Tottenham vs Man City match?

The match kicks off at 16:30 GMT on 1 February 2026 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (ESPN).

Where can I watch Tottenham vs Man City?

Broadcast details vary by region; check local listings on Premier League.

Who is the referee for Tottenham vs Man City?

The referee has not been confirmed yet. Official appointments are typically announced two days before the match (ESPN).

How many goals has Haaland scored against Tottenham?

Haaland has scored 6 goals in 7 appearances against Tottenham in all competitions (ESPN).

What is the head-to-head record between Tottenham and Manchester City?

Manchester City have won 40 of the 73 meetings, Tottenham 25, with 8 draws (ESPN).