18 players could miss Man City vs Tottenham as injury crisis increases

Tottenham Hotspur’s upcoming trip to Manchester City has been overshadowed by a long list of potential absentees, with both teams dealing with significant injury concerns ahead of Saturday evening’s clash.

As many as 18 players across both squads could miss the match, leaving managers Ange Postecoglou and Pep Guardiola facing tough decisions as they prepare for this pivotal Premier League encounter.

Manchester City enters the match under pressure to end a troubling four-game losing streak. The slide began with a 2-1 defeat to Tottenham in the League Cup back in October, and Guardiola’s side has struggled to find form ever since.

On the other hand, Tottenham seeks to recover from back-to-back losses against Galatasaray in Europe and Ipswich Town in domestic competition before the international break. Postecoglou will hope to steady the ship but faces an uphill battle given the mounting injury list affecting his squad.

Spurs will head to the Etihad Stadium without their two key central defenders, which poses a significant challenge against City’s potent attack. Cristian Romero has been ruled out after an early withdrawal from Argentina’s national team, while Micky Van de Ven remains sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained in the League Cup tie against City. Van de Ven’s return is not expected until mid-December, leaving Tottenham’s defensive options stretched thin.

Adding to the uncertainty is the fitness of forward Timo Werner, who missed Tottenham’s defeat to Ipswich with a knock. His availability remains unclear, as does that of academy talent Mikey Moore. The 17-year-old has been recovering from a virus and will undergo a late fitness test before kick-off.

Meanwhile, Spurs continue to grapple with long-term absences. Richarlison is not expected back until early 2025 due to injury, and Wilson Odobert is set for an even longer spell on the sidelines following hamstring surgery.

Manchester City faces its own fitness crisis, with several first-team players nursing injuries or returning to fitness. Mateo Kovacic has been ruled out after suffering an injury while on international duty with Croatia. Ruben Dias is another confirmed absentee, sidelined with a muscle issue.

Defensive midfielder Rodri has been ruled out for the season, while promising youngster Oscar Bobb will remain unavailable until December as he recovers from a fractured leg.

City’s defensive options remain in flux, as John Stones, Manuel Akanji, and Nathan Ake all returned to training this week. However, Guardiola expressed doubts about their readiness for full match involvement. While it’s likely at least one of the trio will make the matchday squad, their ability to play 90 minutes remains in question.

The situation in attack and midfield is equally concerning for Guardiola. Jack Grealish and Phil Foden, both of whom missed England’s recent fixtures due to injuries, are racing against time to prove their fitness.

Matheus Nunes also sat out international duty with Portugal due to fitness issues, leaving his availability uncertain. Adding to Guardiola’s headaches, Jeremy Doku picked up a fresh injury before the break, further complicating City’s preparations.

With so many players unavailable or doubtful, both managers will need to rely on the depth of their squads and potentially make use of younger players or less experienced options.

Tottenham may have no choice but to turn to academy graduates or fringe players to fill key gaps, especially in defense. Similarly, Guardiola may need to rotate his squad carefully, particularly in defense and midfield, to manage the workload of players returning from injuries.

This clash at the Etihad is set to test the tactical acumen of both managers. Postecoglou will need to find a way to shore up Tottenham’s backline while maintaining a threat in attack, even without several key players. Guardiola, meanwhile, will be focused on finding a solution to City’s recent slump while managing his depleted roster effectively.

The stakes are high for both teams. Tottenham will aim to avoid a third consecutive defeat, a result that could see them slip further in the league standings. City, on the other hand, will be desperate to stop their losing run and reassert their dominance as title contenders.

The outcome of this match could hinge not just on the performance of the available stars but also on the ability of each manager to adapt to their respective injury crises.

As kick-off approaches, much remains uncertain regarding the final squads each side will field. Late fitness tests and tactical adjustments will likely shape the starting lineups, with both managers forced to make key decisions under challenging circumstances. Regardless of the absentees, the clash promises to be a compelling encounter between two sides eager to return to winning ways.

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