Tottenham are desperate to get all three points at White Hart Lane when they host English Premier League champions Manchester City; and how important Andre Villas-Boas considers the game to be was highlighted when he included Gareth Bale, the one man key to Tottenham continuing their fight for a top-four finish, in the squad for the game Sunday.
Spurs are currently fifth on 58 points, three behind third-placed Chelsea and two adrift of Arsenal, who have played a game more.
The North London side have not played a Premier League game in two weeks, due to Chelsea's engagements in the F.A. Cup.
That has worked in their favor, as it has given time for Bale's ankle, badly twisted in the Europa League against Basel, to heal.
The forward, who was part of the shortlist for PFA Player of the Year, is reportedly not 100 percent fit, even though the 23-year-old has trained with the team for the last couple of days. However Villas-Boas is willing to take a risk due to the importance of the fixture.
"Is there a fear factor for City? Yes, I think so," Villas-Boas told reporters when asked about the reason for the inclusion of Bale. "We recognise the impact this player has had for us this season and the run of goals that he is on. It can have that factor.
"Gareth has had an outstanding year. I think he's in with a big, big chance (of winning the PFA award) for what he has produced this season. We've seen some spectacular moments.
"It certainly has been a great, great season for Bale so I think he is a serious contender and all of us would be very happy if he was to win."
Jermain Defoe is also expected to feature after overcoming a pelvic problem, while the Spurs manager expects Aaron Lennon to be available for the game despite not having trained all week.
Villas-Boas, though, is likely to prefer Emmanuel Adebayor up front to Defoe, with the former set to be charged up to play against his former club.
Manchester City, who are 13 points behind United, do not have much to play for, other than to ensure they remain in second place, with the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs still capable of sneaking up if they drop their guard.
Having put up a below par performance against Wigan, despite winning the game 1-0, Roberto Mancini will demand better from his side. If City lose to Tottenham and United win their game against Aston Villa Monday, then the Red Devils will be crowed champions.
The Italian rested some of his key players in the midweek game, meaning the likes of Pablo Zabaleta and Matija Nastasic are expected to return to the starting lineup against Spurs.
Sergio Aguero, though, is a doubt for the game because of a hamstring problem, while David Silva again could be out after missing the last couple of games.
Spurs know nothing but three points will do if they are to keep up with the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal, with even Everton refusing to give up the chase, and a win against the reigning champions City can be the perfect tonic needed to go on a winning run until the end of the season.
Expected lineups: Tottenham: Lloris; Walker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Assou-Ekotto; Dembele, Parker; Lennon, Bale, Sigurdsson; Adebayor.
Manchester City: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Nastasic, Clichy; Toure, Barry; Milner, Nasri, Tevez; Dzeko.
Prediction: 2-2
