London: Defending champions Manchester City will lock horns against Tottenham Hotspur in their Premier League 2021-22 opener at the Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium on Sunday. While City aim to continue their momentum, Spurs start afresh under new manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
After an underwhelming last season where they finished seventh, Spurs would be looking to hold themselves within the top four while Guardiola’s men stood clear at top of the table with 86 points, 12 ahead of arch-rivals Manchester United.
The signings of Bryan Gil, Pierluigi Gollini and Copa America 2021 champion Cristian Romero are expected to fortify the Spurs squad as Nuno is expected to land a better result than Jose Mourinho who was heavily criticised with the outcomes.
The Champions are 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 💪
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 15, 2021
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On the other hand, with prolific strike and City’s top-scorer Sergio Aguero already to Barcelona, his replacement Jack Grealish, who had some impressive stints in the Aston Villa shirt will be anticipated to step up in filling the boots of the Argentine forward.
Spurs are most likely to miss out on Harry Kane in the must-win match whose future at the club seems really uncertain with constant interest and persuasion from City itself. Although Guardiola opted to remain quiet about the interest, several reports state that the Manchester club is keen on signing Kane to add to its array of impressive forwards.
Hugo Lloris would start under bars, with Tanguy Ndombele and Romero being injured, Nuno is likely to feature Japhet Tanganga, Davinson Sanchez, Eric Dier and Sergio Reguilon ahead of him. Giovanni Lo Celso and Pierre Emile Højbjerb would be forming the heart of the midfield as Lucas Moura, Dele Alli and Steven Bergwijn start behind Hueng Min-Son.
City will miss the services of Phil Foden and Kevin De Brunye due to injury. The likes of Raheem Sterling, John Stones , Kyle Walker and custodian Ederson are all back from their international duties and set to defend the title. Grealish is presumed to make his Premier League debut in Manchester City shirt, forming a trio with Riyad Mahrez and Ferran Torres.
Earlier on the day, West Ham United will be paying a visit to Newcastle United at the St. James Park as they aim to win their first Premier League opener in the last five years.
