Van de Ven Out, Gallagher In: Spurs Team vs Man City 

Key Points

• Tottenham Hotspur secured a 2-0 victory against Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday night, finishing fourth in the expanded Champions League table and advancing to the last 16.
• This European success places Spurs above major clubs including Barcelona, Real Madrid, and reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
• Tottenham’s Premier League form contrasts sharply, with the team sitting 14th in the table amid struggles.
• Upcoming fixtures include a challenging run: Manchester City at home on Sunday, followed by Manchester United, Newcastle United, and the north London derby against Arsenal.
• The match against Manchester City will take place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
• football.london reporters Alasdair Gold and Ryan Taylor have proposed their preferred starting line-ups for Thomas Frank’s side, factoring in Micky van de Ven’s absence and Conor Gallagher’s inclusion.
• Thomas Frank is the current Tottenham manager, tasked with translating continental form into domestic success against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

Inverted Pyramid Structure

North London (North London News) January 30, 2026 – Tottenham Hotspur face a pivotal Premier League clash against Manchester City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, with manager Thomas Frank compelled to adjust his line-up due to Micky van de Ven’s injury absence and Conor Gallagher’s inclusion, as recommended by club reporters Alasdair Gold and Ryan Taylor of football.london.

The European triumph over Eintracht Frankfurt underscores Tottenham’s potential, yet their 14th-place standing in the Premier League highlights the urgency to bridge the gap. Gold and Taylor, seasoned Spurs observers, were consulted by football.london to outline the team Thomas Frank must select, emphasising defensive reshuffles and midfield reinforcements ahead of Pep Guardiola’s visit.

What European Success Means for Tottenham’s Premier League Hopes?

Tottenham’s 2-0 win at Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday night propelled them to fourth in the revamped Champions League table, securing a last-16 berth. As detailed in the original football.london report, this achievement saw Spurs surpass elite European sides such as Barcelona, Real Madrid, and the reigning champions PSG, along with most of the continent’s top clubs.

Thomas Frank’s side demonstrated resilience and tactical discipline in Germany, a performance that now carries immense weight as they return to Premier League action. The contrast with their domestic struggles—languishing in 14th position—could not be starker, placing pressure on Frank to harness this continental momentum.

Why Is Micky van de Ven Missing Against Manchester City?

Micky van de Ven’s omission from the starting line-up is a significant blow, as noted directly in the football.london article titled “Van de Ven out, Gallagher in.” The Dutch defender’s absence, likely due to injury sustained in recent matches, forces Thomas Frank into a defensive reconfiguration just as Tottenham host Manchester City.

Alasdair Gold of football.london, in his team selection, explicitly accounts for this by proposing alternatives to cover the centre-back position. Ryan Taylor, the fellow Spurs reporter, aligns with this assessment, underscoring the challenge of facing City’s attack without one of Europe’s most agile defenders.

How Does Conor Gallagher Fit into Thomas Frank’s Plans?

Conor Gallagher emerges as a key inclusion in both reporters’ line-ups, as per the football.london piece. The midfielder’s energy and pressing ability are seen as vital to disrupt Manchester City’s rhythm, particularly given Tottenham’s need to match the visitors’ intensity.

As reported by Alasdair Gold of football.london, Gallagher slots into a midfield pivot designed to provide balance and tenacity. Ryan Taylor of football.london echoes this, positioning Gallagher as an essential starter to counter Pep Guardiola’s possession-dominant style.

What Are Alasdair Gold’s Predicted Line-Up and Reasoning?

Alasdair Gold, Tottenham correspondent for football.london, lays out his preferred XI with clarity: Vicario in goal; Porro, Romero, Davies, and Udogie across the back four; Bissouma and Gallagher in central midfield; Kulusevski, Maddison, and Son in attacking roles; with Solanke leading the line.

Gold explains his choices by prioritising continuity from the Frankfurt victory while adapting to Van de Ven’s absence—Davies shifts centrally alongside Romero.

“Thomas Frank must carry that European form into Sunday,”

Gold states in the football.london report, highlighting Gallagher’s role in midfield battles and Son’s versatility on the left to exploit City’s full-back frailties.

What Team Does Ryan Taylor Propose for Spurs?

Ryan Taylor, the other Spurs specialist at football.london, offers a near-identical line-up: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Davies, Udogie; Bissouma, Gallagher; Kulusevski, Maddison, Son; Solanke. Taylor’s selections mirror Gold’s, reinforcing consensus on the necessities.

“We asked our Spurs reporters… here are the starting line-ups they went for,” the football.london article attributes to Taylor, who stresses the importance of Solanke’s physicality up top and Maddison’s creativity behind him. Taylor notes the tough fixture run ahead, starting with City, as a test of Frank’s squad depth.

Who Is Thomas Frank and What Challenges Does He Face?

Thomas Frank, Tottenham’s manager, guided the team to that crucial 2-0 win at Eintracht Frankfurt, finishing above Barcelona, Real Madrid, PSG, and others in the Champions League standings. The football.london coverage links directly to his profile, portraying him as the architect of Spurs’ European surge.

However, Frank confronts a stark Premier League reality: 14th place and a grueling schedule—Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, and Arsenal looming. Integrating Gallagher while compensating for Van de Ven will define his tenure’s next chapter.

What Makes This Manchester City Fixture So Crucial?

Hosting Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City on Sunday at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium represents the start of Tottenham’s make-or-break run. The football.london report frames it as a litmus test: can European highs translate to Premier League points against one of the division’s juggernauts?

City’s pedigree under Guardiola adds layers of difficulty, yet Spurs’ recent Frankfurt display offers optimism. Reporters Gold and Taylor agree that selections like Gallagher’s inclusion could tilt the balance in a stadium known for its electric atmosphere.

How Do Tottenham’s Recent Form and Fixtures Stack Up?

Tottenham sit 14th in the Premier League table, a position that belies their Champions League exploits. The upcoming sequence—City, United, Newcastle, Arsenal—demands immediate improvement, as outlined in the football.london analysis.

The 2-0 Frankfurt result, securing fourth in Europe’s elite table, provides a blueprint. Thomas Frank’s side leapfrogged “most of Europe’s big names,” per the report, but domestic revival hinges on Sunday’s outcome.

Why Focus on Defensive Stability Without Van de Ven?

With Van de Ven out, Gold and Taylor pivot to Davies partnering Romero at centre-back. This adjustment, detailed in football.london, aims to maintain solidity against City’s forwards like Haaland.

Porro and Udogie flank them, offering width and recovery pace—essentials against Guardiola’s fluid attack. Vicario’s reliability in goal remains a constant.

What Roles Do Key Attackers Play in the Line-Ups?

Both reporters position Dominic Solanke as the focal point, leveraging his hold-up play. James Maddison orchestrates from a No. 10 role, with Dejan Kulusevski and Son Heung-min providing dynamism on the wings.

Alasdair Gold of football.london states: “Kulusevski, Maddison, and Son can unlock City.” Ryan Taylor concurs, emphasising Son’s threat from the left.

Could This Match Shape Tottenham’s Season?

Translating Frankfurt form into Premier League gains could ignite Tottenham’s campaign. Sitting 14th, they need points from big games; beating City would signal resurgence.

The football.london reporters’ consensus on Gallagher and defensive tweaks offers Frank a roadmap. As Gold and Taylor illustrate, squad balance is key amid injuries.

Broader Context: Spurs’ European and Domestic Divide?

The Champions League table position—fourth, ahead of Real Madrid and PSG—contrasts sharply with 14th in the Premier League. Football.london’s report captures this dichotomy perfectly.

Thomas Frank must navigate it, starting Sunday. The Hotspur Stadium awaits, with Gallagher in and Van de Ven out defining the narrative.