Manchester City take on Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League on Sunday.

John Stones and Mateo Kovacic could return for Manchester City when they take on Tottenham on Sunday.

City’s injury concerns are slowly clearing up after Jack Grealish returned from illness this week, and Stones is ‘much better’ after sitting on the bench for the last two games.

The Blues were poor in the first half against RB Leipzig this week in the Champions League, but improved after the introductions of Nathan Ake, Jeremy Doku and Julian Alvarez to turn a two-goal deficit into a 3-2 win. After the game, Guardiola called his side ‘lucky’ to win, but praised their character to come back.

Ahead of the Spurs game, Guardiola said Stones is getting closer to a return, while Mateo Kovacic is back in training and will be in contention to feature. Matheus Nunes remains out, but is not far off a return of his own.

Simon Bajkowski

Jeremy Doku and Julian Alvarez both did enough off the bench to earn their spots in the XI for this week. Doku did what Jack Grealish didn’t in attacking with a purpose, while Alvarez just makes things happen.

Pep Guardiola has said that John Stones could start on Sunday but it feels a risk against a very good side when there are plenty of options without Stones. Manu Akanji has filled in with that role and, clanger on Tuesday aside, has grown into it. Nathan Ake deserves a start after steadying the team against RB Leipzig, yet it would be a big game to drop Ruben Dias for however poor he was in the Champions League; Josko Gvardiol may have to make way.

Phil Foden took responsibility for City coming back into the game on Tuesday, and Bernardo Silva has been excellent for some time now.

Joe Bray

Ruben Dias was so poor he was substituted at half-time this week, but he remains the best available centre-back and should keep his place against Spurs. Nathan Ake has had two good games in the last week, so should return at centre-back, with Josko Gvardiol at left-back.

Julian Alvarez and Jeremy Doku were rested against Leipzig, but came off the bench to turn 0-2 into 3-2, so should both return to the starting XI in what promises to be an open game. Doku in particular should relish the chance to test himself against Spurs’ high line and inverted full-backs.

Phil Foden can operate on the right wing, or coming inside as a second number ten if Kyle Walker pushes up, with Bernardo Silva returning to the middle next to Rodri to offer a little bit of support in the middle.

source :https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/how-man-city-should-line-28209808