The new Premier League season is edging ever close with the big kick-off two weeks away. Crystal Palace and Arsenal get the 2022/23 campaign underway at Selhurst Park on Friday, August 5, with Antonio Conte's Tottenham side in action the following day.
Southampton are Spurs' first opponents of the season, with the Lilywhites having a rare 3pm Saturday game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Perhaps looking like a home victory given how both sides finished last season, Southampton did secure a 3-2 win in N17 last February after coming from behind late on.
So who will be in the Tottenham starting XI against the south coast club and which places are there for the taking? football.london takes a look.
READ MORE: Ivan Perisic's classy touch as Joe Rodon gives him his Tottenham shirt number for new season
The positions up for grabs
Right wing-back
Conte has plenty of options to choose from at right wing-back following Djed Spence's move to the club from Middlesbrough. The new signing will use the next couple of weeks to get right up to speed and then put himself in the best possible position to start against Southampton.
Matt Doherty will be hopeful of claiming the spot now he is back to fitness, especially going on how well he performed in the role prior to the knee injury he sustained at Aston Villa. Emerson Royal will also pushing for a starting spot as things stand, while there is now Lucas Moura to consider after the Brazilian operated there during Spurs' first two pre-season games.
Left-sided centre-back
Clement Lenglet's arrival from Barcelona now gives Ben Davies added competition for the position on the left flank over the course of the season. The French international unfortunately didn't travel with the team to South Korea and now he will be looking to make a fast start to life at Spurs with two good showings in their final friendlies against Rangers and Roma.
Davies did come off with an ankle issue last Saturday against Sevilla and Conte will be hoping it isn't too serious with the new term edging ever closer. Delivering some big performances in the left centre-back role last campaign, the addition of Lenglet could potentially spur Davies on to even greater heights.
Left wing-back
It will be between Ivan Perisic and Ryan Sessegnon for the left wing-back spot in 2022/23 as Sergio Reguilon no longer appears to be in Conte's plans. With Spurs struggling from the position last season, Perisic immediately hands them an upgrade due to the brilliant numbers he recorded for Inter Milan.
However, there's no guarantee the Croat will be the starter on the opening day as he is working his way back to fitness following a calf injury. Sessegnon is perhaps leading the race as things stand as he has played in both games so far this summer, but things could quickly change if Perisic gets some good minutes under his belt and catches the eye in the process.
Central midfield
It remains to be seen who will get the nod in Tottenham's midfield due to the excellent options at Conte's disposal. Rodrigo Bentancur was outstanding for the Lilywhites following his January move and he is perhaps the man most likely to start on a weekly basis as he was such a gamechanging signing and helped take the midfield to the next level.
It will then be between Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Oliver Skipp and Yves Bissouma for the final starting spot. Hojbjerg, who built up a good understanding with Bentancur in the run-in, brings experience and leadership, Skipp is rated extremely by Conte and his energy and enthusiasm are qualities the head coach loves, while Bissouma has proved to be one of the best midfielders in the Premier League over the past two years.
Those who will be in the XI on the opening day
Barring any injuries in the team's final two pre-season games, Conte has seven players who will be very confident of starting against Southampton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Hugo Lloris will be in goal, with Cristian Romero and Eric Dier both undroppables in defence.
As mentioned above, Bentancur will be in the driving seat for a midfield starting spot and it would be a major shock if he wasn't in the XI. In attack, Dejan Kulusevski, Harry Kane and Son Heung-min are a must, with new signing Richarlison having to wait until the following week at Chelsea to stake his claim due to his suspension.
READ NEXT:
Djed Spence's first words on Tottenham transfer, Ryan Sessegnon and what he will bring to Spurs
- Tottenham news and transfers LIVE: All the latest updates and rumours from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
- Full Tottenham Premier League fixture list for 2022/23
Lucas Moura describes his Conte talks, his Tottenham future and what Richarlison is really like
Son Heung-min explains what has already happened between him and 'quality' Richarlison
