Man City line-up vs Tottenham predicted as James Trafford starts and Rodri decision made

Manchester City take on Tottenham in the Premier League this lunchtime

James Trafford is set to keep his place in goal for Manchester City against Spurs

Manchester City will welcome back Rodri and Phil Foden to their matchday squad for the visit of Tottenham this weekend.

The pair were absent for the opening day win at Molineux but are back in the fold for the clash with Spurs on Saturday lunchtime.

Whether they return to the XI remains to be seen after City sauntered to a 4-0 opening day victory over Wolves. Ederson, who is the subject of transfer interest, is also available but James Trafford gave an accomplished display on debut and seems set to continue in goal.

At the back, with Josko Gvardiol still sidelined and Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji linked with moves away in recent days, it seems likely the same back four will be called upon. Rico Lewis has pressure from Matheus Nunes at right back but performed well at Wolves while John Stones was excellent on his long-awaited first team return.

Ruben Dias, fresh from a new contract, will start in the heart of defence and Ryan Ait-Nouri will likely make the left back position his own this term.

Further forward, Nico Gonzalez was the only natural sitting midfielder available to Pep Guardiola last weekend and while Rodri is now in the mix it would be a risk to throw him straight in so Gonzalez could partner Tijjani Reijnders, who was outstanding last weekend.

Oscar Bobb impressed on the right and has done enough to keep his place and Bernardo Silva will likely start again as captain. Jeremy Doku is perhaps the most vulnerable amid pressure from Omar Marmoush and the returning Foden while Rayan Cherki, bright off the bench with a goal, will also be targeting a start.

Foden would be a risk given he is only just back to full fitness and it might be that, on home soil, Marmoush is given the nod. Erling Haaland will lead the line.

City predicted XI: Trafford, Lewis, Stones, Dias, Ait-Nouri; Gonzalez, Reijnders, Bernardo; Bobb, Haaland, Marmoush.

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