The 2018/19 Premier League fixtures were announced on Thursday morning, and Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino and Spurs fans would have been quick to scan through and see not only when they were facing arch-rivals Arsenal and their other London neighbours, but also when they have favourable and perhaps unfavourable runs on paper.
The Argentine boss will surely be targeting a title push next term after two seasons of being there or thereabouts were followed by a slightly disappointing campaign last time out in terms of competing for first position, and he will know that a strong start is imperative given how good the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool might well be, with the former running away with it last season.
With the squad they currently have – and with a few extra top-class additions – Spurs, who have been handed a huge boost in their bid to sign a £58.5m-rated attacker, certainly have the capabilities to push the Manchester duo all the way.
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A look at the fixture list quickly highlights when Pochettino's men need to be on their game if they are to have a successful campaign and make a serious title bid.
Here are the three months that will decide Tottenham's 2018/19 season…
Tottenham only took four points from the nine available in August last season after a win at Newcastle United was followed up with a home defeat and draw against Chelsea and Burnley respectively, and Pochettino will not want a repeat of that during the 2018/19 campaign.
If they are to boost their chances of winning the title and keep the pace early on then they need to take maximum points in August, and they will certainly feel confident of doing that in their first two matches – once again away at Newcastle on the opening day before they host Fulham – before they then have a test of their credentials with a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.
A win against Jose Mourinho's men would certainly set down an early marker and prove that they can win the title.
Like all of their fellow Premier League clubs Tottenham have seven fixtures to play during December, and Pochettino will surely be licking his lips at how many points they can pick up in what can be such a crucial period of the season.
While they start with a big test away at arch-enemies Arsenal – another chance to improve their away record against their top-six rivals – they then follow that up with home matches against Southampton, Burnley, Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers, along with trips to Leicester City and Everton.
That sequence of games could easily be where their title hopes are either boosted or destroyed if they have started the campaign well.
If Tottenham navigate through to March and are still in Premier League title contention – like they were in 2015/16 and 2016/17 – or simply for a top-four finish, then that month could be crucial.
Spurs host Arsenal in their first north London derby at their new home at the beginning before a trip to Southampton and then another home clash against Crystal Palace.
Pochettino will certainly view those as two winnable games, but they perhaps face their biggest test when they travel to Liverpool – who may well also be a contender – as March draws to a close.
Do you agree, Spurs fans? Let us know below.