Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City: 5 key battles that could decide the game | Premier League 2021-22

#3 Dele Alli vs Rodri

Dele Alli looks refreshed ahead of the new season

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.

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#2 Sergio Reguilon vs Riyad Mahrez

Sergio Reguilon and Riyad Mahrez contest for supremacy

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.

The 2020/21 football season was Riyad Mahrez's best season at Man City since joining from Leicester City.4️⃣8️⃣ Games 👕1️⃣4️⃣ Goals ⚽0️⃣9️⃣ Assists 🅰️Will Riyad Mahrez produce more numbers this season? 🤔#mondaythoughts #PremierLeague #GetSporty #BetSporty pic.twitter.com/86q3MSRdoz

— SportyBet (@SportyBet) August 9, 2021

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.

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#1 Eric Dier v Ferran Torres

Ferran Torres of Manchester City

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.

Ferran Torres: “I'm very young and still have a lot of margin to improve. The first year I learned and evolved a lot, both tactically and physically. Now I have to continue increasing my number of goals and assists for the good of #ManCity...” [via @Juan_Castro_10/@marca]

— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) August 13, 2021

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.