Manchester City and Tottenham will battle it out in the Carabao Cup final today — and both have been sweating on the fitness of their star players. 

It remains to be seen whether Harry Kane and Kevin De Bruyne will grace the Wembley pitch after picking up injuries last weekend, which may have a huge impact on each side’s tactical approach to the clash.

While Kane's condition is being monitored closely, City's brilliant Belgian returned to training on Friday — but whether he is fit enough to feature is unclear.

We consider how City could set up without their talisman and ponder what Pep Guardiola’s team would lack in his absence.

Filling the void

Though Guardiola has regularly rotated his side this season, De Bruyne, 29, has been an almost guaranteed starter on the big occasions. 

One of the rare instances of the Belgian being rested for a significant game was the first leg of the Champions League last-16 tie against Borussia Monchengladbach. 

On that occasion, City went with a front four of Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden and Gabriel Jesus. 

It was the same quartet when De Bruyne was spared the FA Cup quarter-final with Everton, while against Leeds, Guardiola selected Sterling, Silva, Jesus and Ferran Torres. 

Ilkay Gundogan and Rodri should start against Spurs, leaving Guardiola to choose three from Sterling, Foden, Silva, Torres and Riyad Mahrez in the advanced areas should De Bruyne not feature.

Settling on shape

The City boss also has the option of playing without a recognised striker, something he favoured during the middle of the season. 

Guardiola has moved away from that approach in recent weeks but did opt for that set-up in both legs of the Champions quarter-final with Borussia Dortmund, when Silva and De Bruyne were the most advanced players. 

It seems likely that without the latter today, City will opt for Jesus to spearhead a 4-3-3, providing more of a presence through the middle. 

Finding the spark

With De Bruyne out of the side, City’s creative stats suffer. The metronomic midfielder’s league numbers are staggering. 

He has registered 0.52 assists per 90 minutes — the next closest among City’s attacking players is Foden with 0.31. 

De Bruyne also ranks first in the league for chances created per 90 (3.44), with Foden again the next best on 2.18. 

Meanwhile, the Belgian has produced 0.8 big chances per 90 minutes, with Sterling the next best on 0.37. 

For this reason, Guardiola is more likely to select an attacking trio of Mahrez, Foden and Sterling — although Silva’s numbers are also comparable.

Meanwhile, Torres’ stats trail his City team-mates, meaning he will most likely have to settle for a place on the bench at the national stadium. 

More than assists

De Bruyne really is a jack of all trades — and a master of plenty.

Compared to the aforementioned midfielders — and Gundogan — he manages significantly more tackles per 90 minutes (1.6) and possessions won in the attacking third (1.46). 

The Belgian is also capable of that eye-of-the-needle pass and has completed more through balls (0.19), long passes (2.87) and crosses (1.7) per 90 than any of his team-mates in 2020-21. 

Rising to the challenge

There is no doubt City are weaker when De Bruyne is missing — something Tottenham will be thrilled about if he sits it out later — but the talent throughout the rest of their squad is undeniable. 

Without their star man, City will need to move the ball quicker and much of the responsibility could fall on Foden’s shoulders to create those match-changing moments. 

Despite that, the Citizens are still overwhelming favourites to lift their fourth straight League Cup. 

It says everything about their strength in depth that even the potential absence of De Bruyne is not considered disastrous to their chances.