Manchester City host Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Saturday so HITC Sport have taken a look at a combined XI for the two sides – with Erling Haaland and Harry Kane.
Spurs can move above the Citizens with a win at the Etihad Stadium, where they beat the defending champions last season. Antonio Conte oversaw a 3-2 win over Pep Guardiola’s squad in February, despite the home team twice drawing level including in stoppage-time.
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Kane bagged a brace as Tottenham beat Manchester City with goals either side of a late Riyad Mahrez penalty. He will now hope to add to his tally this weekend, and continue his north London outfit’s unbeaten start to the season and end the Citizens’ 18-match stretch.
Manchester City last lost a Premier League fixture in February’s home defeat to Tottenham before going on to win the title. Four wins and two draws so far this term now has the two teams locked on 14 points from six games, but a combined XI leans in the Citizens’ favour.
Ederson (GK): Manchester City man guards the net in combined XI with Tottenham
Ederson has started the Premier League campaign with three clean sheets over his first six appearances. The Brazilian has also impressed by staying alert in matches that Manchester City have dominated to produce some superb stops and has shown sensible caution, too.
Kyle Walker (RB): Former Tottenham man continues to star for Manchester City
Kyle Walker has continued to star for Manchester City since leaving Tottenham in 2017 for £45m, plus £5m in add-ons. Guardiola has benefitted from his pace and defensive abilities so far this season and will hope to see the England international fine-tune his end product.
Cristian Romero (CB): Argentine sets the tone in Tottenham backline
Cristian Romero has set the tone in the Tottenham defence since joining Spurs on an initial loan from Atalanta they made permanent for £42.5m this August. He has often bailed out his backline partners and adds composure to the line, whilst establishing their passing game.
Ruben Dias (CB): A strong and composed professional for Manchester City
Ruben Dias has been a strong and composed professional for Manchester City since joining the club from Benfica for £65m in 2020. He rarely puts a foot wrong in Guardiola’s defence to mop up chances to fall in his part of the box, with an aggressive presence at centre-half.
Joao Cancelo (LB): Tricky Portuguese causes trouble when allowed to advance
Joao Cancelo can cause trouble when the Portuguese is allowed to advance on either side of the defensive line. He is a tricky presence for defenders to deal with and links well with his teammates to create or score in the final-third – but he can sometimes lack in defence.
Ilkay Gundogan (CM): Overwhelming star in combined Manchester City, Tottenham XI
Ilkay Gundogan makes our combined XI for Manchester City and Tottenham’s clash at the Etihad Stadium, with the German able to be an overwhelming presence within the engine room. His box-to-box exploits exhaust opponents high up the pitch to build City’s control.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (CM): Conte will hope midfielder does not need a rest
Conte will be hoping Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is not running on empty when Tottenham travel to Manchester City on Saturday. The midfielder has been an integral piece in Spurs’ system so far this season with his all-action efforts to win possession and recycle the ball usefully.
Kevin De Bruyne (CM): One of the Premier League and Europe’s best players
Kevin De Bruyne is one of the Premier League and Europe’s best players with his use of the ball like few others around. The Belgian is always at the heart of what Manchester City look to establish, always looking to create and posing a constant threat throughout the pitch.
Phil Foden (CAM): Consistency can lack but can spark into life in an instance
Phil Foden can sometimes lack consistency, but the England international can spark games into life in an instance. His pace and energy poses a bright presence in attacks, whilst able to spot space in opposition ranks and pick out inviting crosses for Manchester City to hit.
Erling Haaland (ST): Norwegian taking Premier League by storm to no surprise
To no surprise, Erling Haaland is taking the Premier League by storm since his £51m move from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester City. The Norwegian is showing he is the perfect centre-forward in Guardiola’s plans, striking 10 goals through his first six top-flight games.
Harry Kane (ST): Tottenham star will try to be the hero at Manchester City again
Kane will try to be Tottenham’s hero at Manchester City again on Saturday after his game-winning brace in February’s meeting. The forward is also looking back to his best so far this season with a lively presence in Conte’s attack to pull the strings and strike five goals in six.
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