Damon Vs. Douglas, McCarthy Vs. Wiig, Quinto Vs. Cromwell: 10 of Emmys’ Fiercest Face-Offs

The Emmys feature some stiff competition between co-stars of "American Horror Story: Asylum," "SNL," "Behind the Candelabra" and put your surprise face on… "Modern Family"

Cue "Eye of the Tiger," because this year 10 sets of Primetime Emmy nominees are duking it out in the same ring.

"Behind the Candelabra" leading men Michael Douglas and Matt Damon — who played real-life lovers Liberace and Scott Thorson, respectively — are up for outstanding lead actor in a miniseries or movie. While both Oscar winners have been previously nominated for multiple Emmys, neither has won one yet. There is a reasonable shot that 2013 could be their year. For one of them, at least.

Also read: Emmys 2013 Nominations (Complete List)

Aaron Paul, the breakout star of "Breaking Bad," has already taken home two Emmy awards for his supporting role as a troubled New Mexico drug dealer, and this year is his second-last chance to win another. In order to do so, however, Academy voters will have to ignore Jonathan Banks — the ice-cold fixer with a heart of gold — who is in the hunt for his first Emmy since losing in the same category back in 1987 when he was nominated for his work on the CBS drama series, "Wiseguy."

)The biggest battle of all, though, falls in the outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series category. Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Ed O'Neill and Ty Burrell are nominated, but after five critically-acclaimed seasons together, they should be used to this kind of competition. All three lost in the same category last year to yet another supporting cast member: Eric Stonestreet. With Stonestreet out of the race, it could be O'Neill or Burrell's year, while their respective TV wives, Sofia Vergara and Julie Bowen, are also going head-to-head (again) in the outstanding supporting actress in a comedy category. 

See photos: 28 of the Biggest Emmy Snubs and Surprises

To see more co-stars, as well as co-writers, who are up against their own team, take a look at this year's biggest Emmy category face-offs, below:

Michael Douglas vs. Matt Damon: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie, "Behind the Candelabra"

Aaron Paul vs. Jonathan Banks: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, "Breaking Bad"

Jesse Tyler Ferguson vs. Ed O'Neill vs. Ty Burrell: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, "Modern Family"
Julie Bowen vs. Sofia Vergara: Outstanding Supporing Actress in a Comedy Series, "Modern Family"
James Cromwell vs. Zachary Quinto: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie, "American Horror Story: Asylum"
Melissa McCarthy vs. Kristen Wiig: Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series, "Saturday Night LIve"

Nathan Lane vs. Michael J. Fox: Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series, "The Good Wife"

Harry Hamlin vs. Robert Morse: Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama series, "Mad Men"

George Mastras vs. Thomas Schnauz: Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series, "Breaking Bad"

Getty Images Jack Burditt & Robert Carlock vs. Tina Fey & Tracey Wigfield: Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series, "30 Rock"

Getty Images

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