Premier League: Can Manchester City break the curse of four empty last season this season? Can they take revenge on Tottenham tonight

At 19:30 on August 23, 2025, the Premier League will usher in a focus showdown - defending champion Manchester City sits at the Etihad Stadium, facing "White Lily" Tottenham Hotspur. This game is not only a battle between the giants in the new season, but also a direct collision of the tactical styles and on-the-spot execution.

Snatch the start ability: Manchester City dominates the ball, Tottenham Hotspur counterattack sharply

Manchester City beat Wolves 4-0 in the first round, and took the initiative through high-pressure and midfield control at the opening stage. The ball possession rate is as high as 65%, and the number of shots has reached 18 times, showing strong ability to start the game. Its tactical system is mainly based on "ball control + combination of side and middle", creating a threat through the fast ball output of the double core of the midfield and the incisive breakthrough of the winger. In contrast, Tottenham defeated Burnley 3-0 in the first round. Although the ball possession rate was slightly low, it created many threats at the opening stage through breakthroughs and rapid counterattacks, showing excellent efficiency in starting the game. Facing Manchester City's high pressure at home, Tottenham needs to rely on wing speed and midfield interception to limit their opponents' rapid advancement.

Frontline combat capability: Manchester City blossomed at multiple points, Tottenham Hotspur relied on counterattack

Manchester City Frontline Trident this season has won a large number of goals for the team, and both of them scored goals in the first round of the league, and the ending efficiency of sports wars is extremely high. It has rich offensive methods, with crossing from the wing, infiltration from the middle and set-piece tactics all threatening, and its ability to dominate the rhythm of the game through ball control during home games is particularly outstanding. Tottenham takes defensive counterattack as the tactical core, and the forward fulcrum and the wing fast horses form an effective linkage. They scored two goals through counterattacks in the first round, and the counterattack efficiency ranks among the top in the league. However, its positional warfare creativity is limited, and facing Manchester City's midfield control, it may be difficult to open up the situation through conventional offense.

Goal ability in the first and second half: Manchester City continues to suppress, Tottenham Hotspur has made efforts in the second half, and Manchester City has scored 62% of the goals in the first half. Through the dispatch of the dual-core midfield core and the personal ability of the winger, we can often establish an advantage at the beginning. In the second half, the intensity was maintained through substitution adjustments, and the opponent's physical strength was used to expand the score during the decline. Tottenham has the characteristics of "stable defense in the first half and counterattack in the second half". The goals in the last five games account for 71% of the second half. The tactics of full-back recruitment and rapid transfer of midfielders often create murderous intent when the opponent's physical fitness is overdrawn.

Results prediction: Manchester City scored three-pointers at home

Overall, Manchester City has the advantage in ball possession rate, forward efficiency and overall control. Although Tottenham has strong away defense resilience, it lacks breakthroughs on the offensive end. Manchester City is expected to control the rhythm of the game through midfield suppression and wing breakthroughs, and finally defeat Tottenham 2-1 or 1-1.

Direction: Win, draw

Score: 2-1, 1-1

008 Frankfurt VS Bremen

Direction: Win

Score: 2-0 2-1

013 Burnley VS Sunderland

Direction: Goal: 1-0 1-1

015 Bournemouth VS Wolves

Direction: Win

Score: 1-0 2-1