Tottenham fans will remember 5 May 2010 for a long time to come.
For it was on this day that Spurs finally achieved their main aim of finishing fourth in the league and winning a shot at playing in the Champions League, the world's most prestigious club tournament.
On a wet night at Eastlands, Peter Crouch was in the right place at the right time to head home late on in the team's decisive 1-0 win over rivals Manchester City.
Wild celebrations immediately ensued, with manager Harry Redknapp on the end of a soaking from the players live in front of the BBC cameras (see video link below).
Tomorrow afternoon (12:45 GMT), it will be these two same teams which kick off the 2010-11 Premier League season in front of hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide.
City manager Roberto Mancini will be looking to avenge the painful defeat to Spurs with a victory, especially on the back of more heavy recruiting which has seen a handful of the world's best players arrive in the blue half of Manchester.
But it is Tottenham who has the more settled side, home advantage and a strong record in recent league head-to-heads between the two clubs vying again for a top four finish.
Key battles will see Tottenham's influential Croatian playmaker Luka Modric (pictured) look to escape the attentions in midfield of Yaya Toure, now the best paid player in footballing history, for long enough to allow England team-mates Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch to remind Fabio Capello of their ability. Also, young flyers Gareth Bale (Spurs) and Adam Johnson (City) will line up against each other on the wing, looking to provide their teams with energy, pace and width.
Both managers have full strength squads to choose from, with the only injury concern being Tottenham's crocked defender Johnathon Woodgate.
However, Spurs are better money (7-5) to win the match, with Jermain Defoe (7-1) a good shout to score the season's first goal, especially in light of his disappointing World Cuo campaign and his quick start to last season in front of goal.
Probable Line-Ups:
Tottenham (4-4-2)
Gomes; Corluka, King, Dawson, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Palacios, Modric, Bale; Keane, Defoe
Man City (4-3-2-1)
Hart; Richards, Kompany, K Toure, Kolarov; Barry, De Jong, Y Toure; Johnson, Silva; Tevez
Prediction: TOTTENHAM 2-1 Man City
Written by:
