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Manchester City begin their defense of the Premier League title with a tough trip to London to face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
While the game itself is a blockbuster fixture, there is the added spice of Manchester City's pursuit of Harry Kane. However, there is a small matter of three points to consider as well, and Pep Guardiola and Nuno Espirito Santo will definitely have their focus on the game at hand.
Manchester City have plenty of absentees to deal with - Kevin de Bruyne is still recovering from injury, while Raheem Sterling, John Stones, Ederson and Kyle Walker may only feature from the bench following their international commitments. Phil Foden is also unavailable with a foot injury.
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Tottenham Hotspur boss Nuno Espirito Santo would not be drawn into answering if Harry Kane would start for Spurs following the saga of his absence from training. The England superstar may still be recovering from his exertions in the Euros.
Tottenham were the winners of this fixture last season, a 2-0 win masterminded by Jose Mourinho, but things have changed massively since then. Either way, we can expect a great game that's sure to be dotted with intriguing contests across the pitch.
Here are five key battles that could decide this game:
#5 Japhet Tanganga vs Jack Grealish
An academy product facing up to the most expensive player in English footballing history seems a recipe for disaster on paper, but the reality is far more complex.
All eyes will be on Jack Grealish as he takes to the pitch for Manchester City, especially in the absence of the Sky Blues' stars like Kevin de Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, and Phil Foden. The creative onus will rightly fall on him as he looks all set to start from the left wing.
Tanganga has been the preferred option for Nuno Espirito Santo at right-back in pre-season, with the Spurs youngster keeping Matt Doherty out of the starting lineup. The 22-year-old was hugely impressive against Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal in pre-season, raising hopes that he'll be able to contain Grealish's stellar dribbling abilities.
The two have had a bit of previous, with Tanganga indulging in a few rough tackles against Grealish the last time Spurs faced Aston Villa last season. This battle could potentially decide the game; with Grealish having the added pressure of a debut as a £100m footballer.
#4 Son Heung-Min v Ruben Dias
Harry Kane's potential absence will cast a huge shadow upon this game, but if there's a player who can shine bright even in those circumstances, it's Son Heung-Min. The Korean superstar will, in all likelihood, be called upon to lead the line for Nuno Espirito Santo's new-look Spurs.
Up against him will be the pair of Ruben Dias and John Stones, with the former likely to stick tight to Son. Dias has previous, having shackled Son well in Manchester City's previous two games against Spurs last season, with the Korean struggling to find the net.
Pep Guardiola's detail-oriented approach is sure to provide Dias and Stones with the answer to nullifying Son. However, Son seems to thrive in Kane's absence, so we could very well see him add to the six goals he's scored against Manchester City in 13 games.
#3 Dele Alli vs Rodri
Dele Alli's 'brother' may have been on show for Jose Mourinho's Spurs side last season. But with a summer to recharge and Nuno Espirito Santo at the helm, this could be the Englishman's most pivotal season for Tottenham.
He seems to have taken the seriousness of his situation to heart. Alli had a stellar pre-season, and was at the heart of Tottenham's best moves against Arsenal and Chelsea. His performances ought to be rewarded with a start against City, where he'll take up a central creative role and come up against Rodri.
City's Spanish defensive midfielder still has to convince many despite featuring regularly in the march to the title last season.
Rodri's metronomic style may not work too well against an in-form Alli, and this may perhaps force Pep Guardiola into fielding Fernandinho as well. What might aid Rodri a fair bit is that Alli has only been involved in two goals for Tottenham in 13 games against City, which might play on the Spurs midfielder's mind.
#2 Sergio Reguilon vs Riyad Mahrez
Apart from Burnley, Watford and West Brom, Riyad Mahrez has not been involved in more goals against an opponent than Tottenham (4G, 3A). However, the Algerian winger has only been involved in one goal against Spurs in seven appearances for Manchester City.
Indeed, with Reguilon used to pushing high up the pitch, Guardiola will perhaps require Mahrez to track back a fair bit, which might blunt his attacking prowess. However, having come off his best season for Man City, Mahrez will surely come into this game with plenty of confidence.
Reguilon's adeptness when it comes to positioning is a bit questionable and he will have his work cut out if City dominate the ball and he's forced into multiple 1v1s against Mahrez. It could be a tough day for the Spanish fullback and he'll need plenty of support from his teammates.
#1 Eric Dier v Ferran Torres
Tottenham have spent big to recruit Christian Romero from Atalanta, but the Argentine centre-back is not set to be available having picked up an injury in his nation's Copa America triumph. Eric Dier will be tasked with partnering Davinson Sanchez in defense, but is set for a confusing time at the back.
Pep Guardiola's use of Ferran Torres as a false nine had its fair share of success last season, with the young Spanish winger adept at coming deep to receive the ball while also being capable of making runs in behind at a moment's notice.
Torres is also quite speedy over the first couple of yards and uses that to great effect when attempting to get at the end of crosses from either wing.
Dier is hardly the most mobile of centre-backs and may struggle. However, the last time the Englishman started for Tottenham against Manchester City, Spurs walked away with a 2-0 win, so there may be a case for optimism.
