Predicted Tottenham XI for City: Mourinho drops summer signing, as £23m man starts

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Tottenham Hotspur take on Manchester City knowing that a victory will only increase the claims that they are title contenders this season.

Spurs will move to the top of the Premier League, for at least 24 hours, if they are able to beat City – and it will also make a statement about their credentials to compete with the very best this term.

City, of course, haven’t been in flying form this term but they remain one of the strongest outfits in England and if Tottenham can beat them, then it will be a result that certainly raises eye-brows across the league.

Jose Mourinho masterminded a victory for Spurs in this fixture last season, and a similar set-up should be expected this time around.

Mourinho has shown a greater willingness to allow his Tottenham side more attacking freedom this season, but it would be a huge shock if he went toe-to-toe with City.

Spurs look far more likely to cede possession and keep men behind the ball, before looking to break with pace.

Harry Kane will be crucial to this – with his ability to drop into space and release his other attacking players already coming to the fore this term.

Kane has been flanked by a wide variety of different players this season, with Gareth Bale the latest to be favoured, but it would be a surprise if the Welshman starts here.

Bale may well be dropped in favour of Lucas Moura, as the £23 million Brazilian (BBC Sport) offers more to Spurs in a defensive sense.

With Matt Doherty out, Mourinho may be keen to protect Serge Aurier, who can be susceptible to defensively lapses, and Moura would give him more cover.

Elsewhere, Tottenham will be desperate for Heung-Min Son to be made available, as the London Evening Standard claim he will be.

Tanguy Ndombele’s continued resurgence at Tottenham is surely set to continue as he will be backed to start in the middle, with Pierre Emile Hojbjerg and Moussa Sissoko set to play alongside him.

Predicted Spurs XI: Lloris; Aurier, Dier, Alderweireld, Reguilon; Hojbjerg, Sissoko, Ndombele; Son, Lucas, Kane.