Solanke decision, tactical switch - The Tottenham team Thomas Frank must pick vs Man City

Tottenham have to try and record a positive result at Manchester City on Saturday after a nightmare past few days. Recording a positive 3-0 victory over Burnley in their Premier League opener last weekend, Spurs looked set to secure another win with the addition of Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace.

However, north London rivals Arsenal were to ensure there was a twist in the tale after making a late move to entice the 27-year-old to the Emirates Stadium. Tottenham must put the sorry transfer episode behind them and ideally get points on the board when they come face-to-face with Pep Guardiola's team in Saturday's early kick-off.

Thomas Frank may look to switch things about for the game in Manchester as he is someone who will change his tactics and formation if required. So who will start in the Tottenham XI at the Etihad Stadium? Our football.london writers have had their say below:

Alasdair Gold - Tottenham Hotspur correspondent

There's only one option here really if there are no fresh injuries and that's the return of the 3-4-1-2 formation that served Spurs so well in the UEFA Super Cup game against PSG for 85 minutes or so.

Without a playmaker right now, Tottenham need the numbers and the runners and the combination of Richarlison and Mohammed Kudus up front worked well. Dominic Solanke will be fitter and sharper now but the Brazilian has earned the right to remain up front with his previous two performances and those goals against Burnley.

Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha formed a strong base and it was when the latter had to come off due to his fitness levels in Udine that Spurs' play went awry.

Having Kevin Danso in the back three also allows Spurs to continue to utilise the Austrian's powerful, flat long throw-ins that caused PSG all kinds of problems.

While things have been rather messy this week off the pitch, Frank has the chance to at least show what he can do on it this season if he can pull off a positive result at the Etihad Stadium

Gold's team: Vicario; Danso, Romero, Van de Ven; Porro, Bentancur, Palhinha, Spence; Sarr; Kudus, Richarlison.

Rob Guest - Football writer

It may be wise to go with the setup Thomas Frank used in the recent Super Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain given Tottenham are playing one of the Premier League's best this weekend. A back three could possibly help Spurs frustrate Manchester City after they put four goals past Wolves last weekend.

That means Kevin Danso comes into the team in place of Brennan Johnson to play alongside Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven in defence. Pedro Porro and Djed Spence can then offer the team support from either flank in the wing-back roles.

Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha must come back into the Tottenham XI, taking the place of Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall as a result. Pape Matar Sarr will then operate as the most advanced midfielder and offer support in the final third to Mohammed Kudus and Richarlison.

Dominic Solanke will have to bide his time on the bench to begin with once again as Richarlison deserves to lead the line after his Burnley heroics.

Guest's team: Vicario; Danso, Romero, Van de Ven; Porro, Bentancur, Palhinha, Sarr, Spence; Kudus, Richarlison.

Story Saved

You can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.