Twelve points can be quickly converted into an almost unassailable 15-point lead, when the English Premier League's runaway leaders Manchester United travel to the Premier League's bottom club Queens Park Rangers Saturday.
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is adamant about the fact that their defense of the Premier League title is not lost, and there is still a chance to claw back the 12-point deficit, with a mere 12 games remaining.
However, the fixture lineup for the two teams this weekend could not be more skewed in United's favor - United face QPR, who have picked up only 17 points all season, 48 less than their opponents, while Manchester City take on third-placed Chelsea, who could move to within one point of City with a win at the Etihad Sunday.
United's collapse last season is well documented, but there does not seem any chance of that happening a second time; Sir Alex Ferguson does not work that way; the same mistakes are not made twice.
Even if Real Madrid might be looming in a little over a week's time, Ferguson will put out a strong side to face an increasingly desperate QPR, whose fortunes have not turned around since the appointment of Harry Redknapp.
"With Harry's experience and his ability to judge players, he will have a better chance than most in that situation (in the battle to avoid relegation)," Ferguson told reporters. "We're going down there to win, though.
"That's what our job is. There is an absolutely brilliant spirit in the place at the moment and a good determination about us. We have to treat these games as we would Real Madrid or anyone else. It has to be won. We want to win.
"We have a problem picking teams at the moment but that's where we want to be. QPR are fighting for survival and we know it is going to be a hard game. That is what we need anyway. We need to keep the awareness on making sure we do our job right."
Wayne Rooney will miss the trip to Loftus Road due to a sinus infection, while Phil Jones is also ruled out after picking up an injury in the F.A. Cup win over Reading Monday.
However, Ferguson has plenty of other options at his disposal, with the winger problem that seemed to dog the manager a few months ago, no longer an issue with Ashley Young, Antonio Valencia and Nani all available.
With Robin Van Persie a little short on goals off late, keeping in mind his tremendously high standards, QPR might just need to brace themselves for a lesson in finishing from the Dutch maestro, especially with his usual partner in crime missing.
At the other end, QPR, who have been drawing too many games under Redknapp, were woeful against Swansea in their last fixture, and will have no choice but to go for a win.
They will be boosted by the fact that Junior Hoilett might be available for the game against United, while Loic Remy is also expected to be fit after missing the last couple of games.
QPR are already seven points adrift of safety and with not too many games remaining, the London club will have to start treating every single fixture as a do-or-die cup final and go for all three points, which in turn might just play into United's hands.
Expected Lineups: QPR: Cesar; Onuoha, Samba, Hill, Traore; Townsend, Derry, Mbia, Taarabt, Wright-Phillips; Remy.
Manchester United: De Gea; Rafael, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra; Nani, Carrick, Cleverley, Young; Welbeck, Van Persie.
Prediction: 2-1 to United
