Tottenham Hotspur welcome Manchester City to north London after the international break as Jose Mourinho renews his rivalry with Pep Guardiola.
Spurs recorded a 2-0 win in the corresponding fixture last season and a repeat result would see Mourinho's side move eight points clear of City in the Premier League table.
Tipped to challenge Liverpool for the title this term, it's been a slow start to the season for City as they've drawn three of their opening seven games.
A reason for their stuttering start could be down to injuries. Already this season Guardiola has been without the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Gabriel Jesus, Aymeric Laporte, and summer signing Nathan Ake.
Speaking last month, the Spaniard admitted that the physical demands have been tough on his squad.
"It’s tough for the players themselves. We have enough players with our academy," Guardiola said, as per the Manchester Evening News. "A week is not a problem when you play in four competitions every three days.
"It's more difficult but it’s not a City problem, it’s a problem for everyone in Europe playing in European competition.
"It’s an exceptional thing around the world, but it is not exceptional in world football.
"You have to adapt and handle it and move forward with what we have. The reality is what it is. If it is much more than the previous season, it is because this is normal."
With that said, the injuries have started to clear up for Man City. Gabriel Jesus has two goals in as many games since returning, while De Bruyne and Laporte started against Liverpool before the international break.
And the good news for Guardiola is that he could get exactly what he wants ahead of the Spurs clash; a nearly fully fit squad.
According to Premier Injuries, Sergio Aguero, Fernandinho, and Benjamin Mendy are all expected to be available for the game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium a week on Saturday.
Aguero has made just three appearances for City this season due to a thigh issue but prior to last week's Champions League fixture against Olympiakos, Guardiola was confident his striking talisman would return for the Spurs game.
"We don't want to take a step back again," Guardiola said. "I don't know about Liverpool [last Sunday] but after the international break he will be ready."
However, one player who is a major doubt is Nathan Ake, after the defender lasted just six minutes of the Netherlands' friendly against Spain on Wednesday.
The centre-back picked up a hamstring injury in the early stages of the game and had to be replaced.
Ake has pledged to be back in action soon, taking to social media after the game to say: "Frustrating night! Hope to be back soon!"
Netherlands boss Frank De Boer has confirmed Ake will return to City, where the extent of his injury will be assessed, meaning he will take no part in their upcoming games against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Poland.
