EPL: Guardiola faces squad selection headache as Man City travel to Tottenham
Pep Guardiola is juggling a growing injury list as second-placed Manchester City prepare for Sunday, February 1, 2026, Premier League clash away to Tottenham Hotspur, with several key decisions looming for the Cityzens.
One major doubt surrounds Belgian winger Jeremy Doku, who is unlikely to feature in North London against the 14th-placed Spurs. Doku was handed a start during City’s comfortable midweek Champions League victory over Galatasaray, but was forced off before the interval after picking up a calf problem.
Doku ruled out
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Speaking after the final whistle, Guardiola confirmed the issue, explaining that the attacker had felt discomfort in his calf. When asked about Doku’s availability for the Spurs encounter, the City boss admitted it was improbable, adding that the winger has struggled with recurring muscular setbacks this season and may only be fully fit again around March 2026.
Should Doku miss out, Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo are expected to fill the wide attacking roles, while Tijjani Reijnders and Bernardo Silva are likely to operate through the middle.
There is better news in midfield, with Rodri set to return after serving a suspension in Europe. His inclusion would allow Nico O’Reilly to move back into his preferred left-back position.
City’s defensive options, however, remain stretched. Although Matheus Nunes has returned to action, Guardiola is still without Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, and John Stones. The availability of Marc Guehi offers a timely boost domestically, even though the defender is not yet cleared to feature in the Champions League.
Nathan Ake, who started against Galatasaray, is expected to retain his place, while youngster Max Alleyne, recently recalled from a loan spell at Watford, is another possible option at the back.
Elsewhere, Gianluigi Donnarumma is expected to continue in goal, and Erling Haaland, having ended his recent scoring drought in midweek, should once again lead the line.
Predicted Manchester City Line-up (4-1-4-1)
Donnarumma; O’Reilly, Guehi, Ake, Nunes; Rodri; Semenyo, Reijnders, Bernardo Silva, Cherki; Haaland
Unavailable players: Doku, Gvardiol, Stones, Savinho, Dias, Kovacic, Bobb
Ahead of the tie, Tottenham have completed the Premier League double over Manchester City nine times so far, more than they have any other opponent. Meanwhile, only Chelsea (10) has done so more against the Citizens.
Tottenham Hotspur are winless in five Premier League matches (D3 L2), while Man City have won their last two away league games against Spurs.
Manchester United will also be in action with a crucial tie against Fulham at Old Trafford.
