Pep Guardiola’s side travel to White Hart Lane for the final time in the Premier League this weekend for a clash between the two early pace-setters.
City’s 100% start in the league means they have 18 points but Spurs, on 14, will be hoping to close that gap by becoming the first side to beat the Blues this season.
Fernandinho believes Spurs will be full of confidence heading into the match.
He said: “It’s going to be very difficult because last year they played very good at home, finished in the first three positions in the league and they have a lot of quality players who run a lot.
“It will be quite similar to Celtic but we have to prepare as well as we can in the two or three days we have before the game.
“We just need to do our job and play in the same way and of course, try to get the three points.”
City’s Brazilian midfielder has been in exceptional form so far this season, missing only the EFL Cup victory over Swansea, but he insists he is looking forward.
“The next game is always the toughest in every season. It’s also the most important because we have learnt from the past so we have to be prepared for what Spurs can do,” he said.
“Before the international break it is always difficult because players might start to think about their national teams already but they have to think about Spurs first.
“In the Premier League you need to try to win every game if you are going to stay at the top of the table.”
Spurs will be missing star striker Harry Kane, who is suffering an ankle injury, but Fernandinho knows Tottenham still have players who can cause City damage.
“They don’t have Harry Kane in their team but they have other players who can do the same job.”