Paul Dickov is looking forward to seeing Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland playing together:
“I’m buzzing, especially after the weekend Pep said that Haaland needed more help. It will be good to see Grealish as well, when he came on to the pitch during the derby he was the best player in the second half, picking up the ball and creating chances. When you look at the bench, I burst out laughing, it’s just ridiculous.”
Steve Howey is desperate for three points tonight:
"It’s hugely crucial we get back to winning ways given the facts of Arsenal’s situation. But as far as Man City are concerned, they just have to get there job done tonight. The last couple of results have been disappointing but ultimately you like at the forward line and the power and creativity."
Matchday Live is underway with Paul Dickov, Michael Brown and Steve Howey and don’t forget that during the game, Alistair Mann and Andy Morrison providing audio commentary, which you can listen to right here in the Matchday Centre.
Both can be accessed at the top of this page.
What an interesting XI that is! The back four takes care of itself but our shape ahead of that is where things look a little different. Rodrigo and Ilkay Gundogan are a more than capable double pivot at the base of midfield, but will Gundogan be playing further forward with Jack Grealish on the other side of Rodrigo?
If so, that will leave a front three of Riyad Mahrez, Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland where we could expect to see Mahrez on the right and Alvarez on the left. However, the likelihood is that we can expect some fluidity across the midfield and forward areas with Grealish heading out left too.
Opportunities to see Alvarez and Haaland together have been limited but what a potent partnership that could be if they can work together. That's an exciting prospect in and of itself.
As for Spurs, it's all eyes on that dangerous front three. Heung-min Son hasn't been in the best of form this season but he's made the difference against us in the past whereas Dejan Kulusevski is a livewire out wide. Harry Kane needs no introduction I'm sure. Fingers crossed for a cracker!
Pep Guardiola makes five changes from the 2-1 Manchester derby defeat last weekend. Julian Alvarez, Rico Lewis, John Stones, Ilkay Gundogan and Jack Grealish also return.
CITY XI: Ederson, Lewis, Stones, Akanji, Ake, Rodrigo, Gundogan, Grealish, Mahrez, Alvarez, Haaland. Subs: Ortega, Walker, Laporte, Dias, Cancelo, Phillips, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Foden.
Wrap up warm if you're coming to the Etihad tonight! It's not the warmest night in Manchester but hopefully the entertainment on the pitch will spice things up.
It's fair to say this has become a very important night for both sides. All Premier League matches are only worth three points of course but after last week's disappointment it will lift everyone to get over the line tonight.
When Pep spoke yesterday he emphasised that is he is only looking at the next match at the moment, and that seems sensible. Especially when you consider the magnitude of some of the games in the coming weeks.
We know Spurs can cause us problems, they have done in the past at the Etihad, but Pep will no doubt have a plan to counter Antonio Conte's style of football. Come on City!
Kevin De Bruyne and Scott Carson arrive at the Etihad...
CommentaryReporting by Jonathan Smith @mancity