Manchester United will be out for revenge over Tottenham Hotspur, the only team they have lost to at Old Trafford in the English Premier League this season.
United are flying high in the league, with only Manchester City, just about, managing to stay on their coat tails. United are currently seven points clear of their rivals, but could see that gap cut to four, with the defending champions set to play Fulham on Saturday.
Andre Villas-Boas admitted this was probably the worst possible time to play United, who have gone from strength to strength under the inspirational form of Robin Van Persie.
"I think we are playing United at the worst possible time -- they are high in confidence," Villas-Boas told reporters.
The partnership between Van Persie and Wayne Rooney has been lethal so far for United, with the duo linking up with ease, even if Rooney's season has been a bit stop-start due to injuries.
However, the England forward announced his return to fitness with the winner against West Ham in Wednesday's FA Cup replay and is again expected to play just behind Van Persie in the match against Spurs, who defeated United 3-2 earlier this season, at White Hart Lane.
"We're always very unlucky as he (Rooney) seems to return just in time for our games," Villas-Boas said. "We recognise that we had a fantastic first half in that game but he came on for the second and made a difference and created lots of problems for us.
"He had this game against West Ham to come back to form and so we'll just have to wait and see if he is selected or not but I think he's the player who makes Manchester United tick. Because of his movements and he always sacrifices himself for the team.
"And he has the team spirit, desire to win, and the focus. He has had some difficult moments in his career but always comeback. He is a top-quality footballer.
Villas-Boas expects a tough time for his defenders with Van Persie and Rooney playing in the same team. "It's a very, very strong partnership, the individual talent is absolutely amazing," he added. "You can't man-to-man mark, it is difficult against a team with as much mobility as United, so I think it is a group job."
Sir Alex Ferguson wants nothing less than of three points, but knows it will be easier said than done against a Spurs side that have shown some real consistency off late after an indifferent start.
"I think Spurs have done well this season," Ferguson told reporters. "I've watched quite a few of their games and their form has been consistent. They're in good form and I think they'll challenge for the top four.
"Villas-Boas has Spurs in the way he wants them and I think there are signs they're playing how he wants them to play. That's what a coach wants to do -- get his philosophy across. I think they'll challenge for the top four.
"We have a fantastic record there. It's a stadium that's old-fashioned, football-wise, like Aston Villa and Everton. There's always a good atmosphere and we enjoy playing there. But we can't take anything for granted. We have a hard game on Sunday. We have to perform."
Team News and Injuries: Spurs were dealt a blow when midfielder Sandro was ruled out for the rest of the season after damaging his knee ligaments in last weekend's game against QPR. Scott Parker is expected to start in the Brazilian's absence for the first time since April. Younnes Kaboul and William Gallas remain ruled out.
Manchester United will be without Jonny Evans with Ferguson expected to make several changes to his side that won 1-0 in the FA Cup replay against West Ham.
"We've got a strong squad," Ferguson said. "Jonny Evans still isn't available. He's not 100 percent. Other than that, we're not too bad."
Expected lineups: Tottenham: Lloris; Walker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Naughton; Parker, Dembele; Lennon, Dempsey, Bale; Defoe.
Manchester United: De Gea; Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Carrick, Cleverley, Kagawa, Young; Rooney; Van Persie.
Prediction: 3-2 to United