Manchester United versus Liverpool on September 1. For those still sleepwalking into the new season, this blockbuster comes with indecent haste.
Worryingly for a losing manager, the consequences could be more serious than if time had allowed a favourable impression to build.
But the fixture computer seems in lockstep with the age encouraging a rush to judgment: instant adulation for the victor, vilification for the vanquished.
And with an international break to follow, the post mortems are likely to be long and searching.
Losing this clash is always a bitter pill to swallow but if its after a decent run of games, it can be taken on the chin.
But defeat now could be asking for trouble even if it might seem a tad premature.
A United defeat coming after a late, dispiriting loss to Brighton last week would inevitably heap pressure on Erik ten Hag, who many feel is fortunate to still be in charge.
Arne Slots 100% start with Liverpool, on the other hand, has bought him valuable leeway.
But they were two easy matches and a loss on Sunday would still be a pebble in those Jurgen Klopp-sized shoes hes striving to fill.
Dutch managers have done surprisingly poorly in English football given the reputation the Johan Cruyff-inspired nation has.
From Ruud Gullit to Frank de Boer, with many in between, none has cut the mustard as United are painfully aware.
The much-decorated Louis van Gaal didnt even seem to get what the club was about.
And even though he won the FA Cup in his second season, it was too late to save him.
So with a trophy in each year he has been in charge, Ten Hag is the most successful, the shock FA Cup win over City last May saving him.
After what the Ratcliffe regime called a thorough review, they gave him the benefit of the doubt.
It was hardly a ringing endorsement and, in truth, they didnt fancy either of the two big-name candidates, Tomas Tuchel or Mauricio Pochettino.
So the Dutchman is only the proverbial run of three bad results away from winning the Sack Race and hes had one already.
At Brighton, he was a tad unlucky, but his in-game management came second-best to the youngest coach in EPL history, Fabian Hurzeler.
Still, he retains the support of the Old Trafford faithful who rallied behind him toward the end of a dreadful season.
This is also believed to have played a part in Sir Jim Ratcliffes decision to stick with him.
All that said, he has added to the pressure by attempting to reconstruct his former Ajax side at Old Trafford.
Welcome though it is to see an end to the days when Ed Woodward chose players for their social media followings, Ten Hag has brought a whole new meaning to the phrase Going Dutch in Manchester.
The first season, he brought in ex-Ajax players Antony, of Brazil, and Lisandro Martinez, an Argentinian.
In the second, it was Andre Onana and this season Ajax 2.0 has become a new nickname.
The capture of the Dutch duo of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern has enabled him to field three-quarters of his old back four.
Netherlands striker Joshua Zirkzees arrival confirms that Ratcliffe allowed Ten Hag to make it his own team.
Of his 20 signings so far, 10 have played in the top Dutch league.
Yet the latest, and potentially most influential, is Manuel Ugate from Paris Saint Germain.
The Uruguayan, a ball-winning defensive midfielder, could even start against Liverpool.
Unfortunate to lose new centreback Leny Yoro, Rasmus Hojland and Luke Shaw to injuries, it will be a while before he has his best XI.
A bad defeat to the eternal rivals at Old Trafford would slash that time unless results suddenly picked up.
The emergence of Ratcliffe promised a new dawn by sidelining the hated Glazers from the football business of the club.
But bold talk of a grand 100,000-seater Wembley of the North stadium to replace Old Trafford does not impress supporters if the team is not in the Big Boys league.
Ten Hag knows only too well that if he doesnt make the top four this season, this will be his last.
Slots experience at Liverpool could not have been more different.
He has followed a successful pre-season with maximum points, but has hardly bought anyone and missed out on the player he wanted.
It was felt that Martin Zubimendi could have turned Liverpool from third-place to title contenders had he arrived from Real Sociedad.
But nothing could persuade him to leave home and now Slot is trying compatriot Ryan Gravenberch in the No 6 role.
Its been a success so far against Ipswich and Brentford but United will provide a sterner test.
And as the transfer window closes, the club is making a couple of exciting acquisitions.
Georgias Giorgi Mamardashvili was the goalkeeper of the Euros and Liverpool have signed him for 25m plus add-ons.
Just 23, the 1.99m giant will continue to play for Valencia in La Liga until 2025 when hell move to the EPL.
He is considered the long-term successor to Alisson.
Another opportunistic move is the snapping up of Italy striker Federico Chiesa for just 10m from Juventus.
These two signings smack of a return to the era of recruitment that enabled Klopp to build his greatest side.
Chiesa may be injury-prone but at that price, theres little to lose.
As ever, the two clubs have a vastly different approach even when they both have bald, middle-aged Dutch managers.
A draw may not disappoint either too much, but whatever the result, it could be a hair-raising season for their fans.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.