Manchester City is gearing up for a crucial Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur on February 1, 2026, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The team will welcome back new signings Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi, who were ineligible for the recent Champions League match against Galatasaray. Their return comes as City looks to regain momentum following Arsenal’s victory over Leeds on Saturday.
Head coach Pep Guardiola, who missed the pre-match press conference due to personal reasons, is expected to be in the dugout for the match. He faces significant decisions regarding his lineup, particularly with the absence of Jeremy Doku, who will be sidelined for over two weeks due to a calf injury. Rodri, who missed the Galatasaray game due to suspension, will resume his position in the starting eleven.
Guardiola’s selection challenges extend to the forward line. Erling Haaland scored in the midweek European fixture after being benched in the previous league match against Wolverhampton Wanderers. His performance has solidified his place in the starting lineup. Additionally, Rayan Cherki, who impressed against Galatasaray, is likely to feature prominently, which may result in Omar Marmoush being left out.
In midfield, Bernardo Silva and Rodri are expected to start, leaving Phil Foden and Tijjani Reijnders to compete for the remaining spot. The defensive lineup will see Abdukodir Khusanov partner with Guehi at centre-back, as Ruben Dias is not yet fit for a return. Alternatives for the left-back position include Nico O’Reilly, Rayan Ait-Nouri, and Nathan Ake.
Guardiola’s assistant, Pep Lijnders, provided an update on Doku’s condition, noting that it is similar to a previous injury, although this instance appears to be less severe. “It was 18 days last time. I think this time it will be a little bit shorter as he’s a robust player,” Lijnders stated.
The anticipated lineup for Manchester City is as follows in a 4-3-3 formation: Gianluigi Donnarumma; Matheus Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, O’Reilly; Silva, Rodri, Foden; Cherki, Haaland, Semenyo.
Currently injured players include Doku, Josko Gvardiol, John Stones, Savinho, Dias, and Mateo Kovacic.
As Manchester City prepares for this important fixture, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how the returning players will impact the team’s performance against a formidable Tottenham side. The match kicks off at 16:30 local time and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
