Pep Guardiola handed Manchester City a huge boost this week by agreeing an extended contract to take his stay at the Etihad Stadium beyond a decade.
However, of all the history made by Guardiola in east Manchester, he must now turn his attention towards nipping an unwanted piece of it in the bud.
A much-changed City lost 2-1 at Tottenham in the Carabao Cup last month, a reverse that began a run of four consecutive defeats in all competition. Guardiola has never experienced such a pronounced downturn in his coaching career.
Ange Postecoglou and Spurs now get the chance to try to prolong that, having shared a pulsating 3-3 draw with City in Manchester last season. However, their 'one step forward, two steps back' season continued in their most recent Premier League match when Ipswich Town left the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with a 2-1 win.
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Man City vs. Tottenham lineups, expected starting 11, team news
The international break came at the right time for City, and not just because of their dire run of results. The key factor in their malaise has been an injury list that is particularly weighty in the context of Guardiola's preferred small senior squad size. Mateo Kovacic suffering an injury blow during Croatia's draw with Portugal that will keep him out for a month this therefore less than ideal.
Rodri (ACL) and Oscar Bobb (broken leg) remain sidelined, but Jeremy Doku (thigh), Jack Grealish (groin), Phil Foden, Nathan Ake, John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Matheus Nunes could all be ready to play some part after sitting out the internationals. Ruben Dias is expected to be out for a little while longer.
Kevin De Bruyne's most recent Premier League start came back in mid-September but a couple of substitute cameos and a hiatus from Belgium duty over the past fortnight means his profitable supply line to Erling Haaland should be ready to open up again.
Man City predicted XI (4-3-3, right to left): Ederson (GK) — Walker, Stones, Akanji, Gvardiol — De Bruyne, Gundogan, Silva — Foden, Haaland, Doku
Injured: Ake, Rodri, Bobb, Dias, Kovacic Foden (doubt), Grealish (doubt)
Suspended: None
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Tottenham could be without two key defenders. Micky van de Ven is on the mend from the hamstring issue he suffered during the Carabao Cup win over City. Cristian Romero withdrew from Argentina's 1-0 win over Peru and will be assessed.
The attacking picture is a lot rosier for Postecoglou, although he will be without Wilson Odobert and Richarlison due to hamstring injuries and Mikey Moore is laid low following a virus. Rodrigo Bentancur begins a seven-game ban for racist remarks made about team-mate Son Heung-min.
Tottenham predicted XI (4-3-3, right to left): Vicario (GK) — Porro, Romero, Dragusin, Udogie — Kulusevski, Bissouma, Sarr — Johnson, Solanke, Son
Injured: Odobert, Van de Ven, Richarlison, Moore, Romero (doubt)
Suspended: Bentancur
Man City vs. Tottenham live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this Premier League match across selected areas of the world's major regions:
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| USA | NBC, Universo | Fubo, NBC Sports app, Peacock, Universo NOW, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo |
| Canada | — | Fubo Canada |
| UK | Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League | Sky Go, Sky Sports website |
| Australia | — | Optus Sports |
| India | Star Sports Select 1 | Disney+ Hotstar, JioTV |
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