Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City

Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City are set to meet at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in a blockbuster 2021/22 Premier League curtain-raiser.

Nuno Espirito Santo is set to make his Premier League debut as a Tottenham coach against formidable opposition in the shape of the reigning champions. The Portuguese manager can draw confidence from ‘Spurs’ going unbeaten in three successive opening matchday meetings with City (W2, D1). Yet, both of their competitive encounters in 2021 have seen them lose ‘to nil.’ If Spurs manage to pick up all three points here, Espirito Santo will be the Londoners’ fifth consecutive coach to start his managerial reign with a victory. However, a loss would see Tottenham succumb to back-to-back defeats in the Premier League openers for the first time since 2011/12 and 2012/13. A draw is seemingly off the table, considering that none of Spurs’ last ten home league matches have ended level (W6, L4).

Meanwhile, after guiding his side to a third Premier League title in four years last season, Pep Guardiola went on to shatter the British transfer record and acquire Jack Grealish’s services for £100million. Despite heading into the new campaign as leading candidates to land the title, defending champions may not have ‘another day in the office’ here. Indeed, the ‘Cityzens‘ have lost each of their last three competitive trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium without scoring a single goal. If he loses here, Guardiola will set an unwanted personal record of four straight away defeats to one opposition. On the other hand, a victory would see Man City become the first team in top-flight history to win 11 Premier League Matchday 1 fixtures in a row. A return of 11 triumphs from their last 12 league road trips (L1) should give them enough confidence.