Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland will meet on Saturday lunchtime having experienced differing fortunes during the midweek round of Premier League matches.
Champions League-hunting Spurs fell to a 1-0 defeat at home to Leicester City, while on the flip side the travelling Black Cats did their chances of securing Premier League survival no harm by winning 4-2 away at fellow strugglers Swansea City.
In the sort of fashion that only Tottenham seem to be capable of, the loss against Leicester saw them snatch disappointment from the clutches of optimism.
Indeed, had Mauricio Pochettino's men been able to beat their counterparts from the East Midlands, it would have moved them to within just four points of rivals and league leaders Arsenal.
Yet, while the White Hart Lane faithful were in despondent mood following Leicester's triumph, it is important that everyone connected with the club remains realistic.
At the start of the season finishing in the Champions League places - and not the title - was Tottenham's main target and right now they find themselves in fourth position, having been beaten just three times this term. By chance, the only side that has tasted defeat less is Leicester.
However, Pochettino may well be slightly concerned by his team's home record of late. While only Manchester City and Arsenal have collected more points in front of their own supporters than the Lilywhites, they have won just one of their last four Premier League outings in N17.
To improve upon that they will need to be more clinical than they were against Leicester. In total Harry Kane and co had 21 shots on Kasper Schmeichel's goal, but the visiting goalkeeper was called into action just five times.
Recent form: LWWWDL
Recent form (all competitions): WWWDDL
On Wednesday, Tottenham could have done with their former striker Jermain Defoe, who would no doubt have backed himself to score at least one of those chances that were spurned. After all, only four players have scored more goals for Spurs in their history than the ex-England international.
Thankfully from Sunderland's point of view, the 33-year-old now wears their colours and right now he seems to be in clinical mood.
Defoe netted a hat-trick against the Swans, taking his tally to five goals in his last two outings - as many as he managed in his previous 22 appearances.
Such form has certainly boosted Sunderland's hopes of retaining their Premier League status for another campaign, with just one point now separating them from safety.
But, ahead of the trip to North London, it is worth noting that Sunderland's record on the road is rotten. Prior to the victory over Swansea, they had picked up fewer points away from home than any other club, including bottom-placed Aston Villa.
One aspect that Sam Allardyce will be keen to change is the number of penalties that his side are conceding at present. A Premier League-high five have been awarded against Sunderland this season and with Kane clinical from 12 yards, it will be crucial that they time their tackles well on Saturday.
Recent form: LLLLWW
Recent form (all competitions): LLLWLW
Champions League-hunting Spurs fell to a 1-0 defeat at home to Leicester City, while on the flip side the travelling Black Cats did their chances of securing Premier League survival no harm by winning 4-2 away at fellow strugglers Swansea City.
Spurs
In the sort of fashion that only Tottenham seem to be capable of, the loss against Leicester saw them snatch disappointment from the clutches of optimism.
Yet, while the White Hart Lane faithful were in despondent mood following Leicester's triumph, it is important that everyone connected with the club remains realistic.
At the start of the season finishing in the Champions League places - and not the title - was Tottenham's main target and right now they find themselves in fourth position, having been beaten just three times this term. By chance, the only side that has tasted defeat less is Leicester.
However, Pochettino may well be slightly concerned by his team's home record of late. While only Manchester City and Arsenal have collected more points in front of their own supporters than the Lilywhites, they have won just one of their last four Premier League outings in N17.
To improve upon that they will need to be more clinical than they were against Leicester. In total Harry Kane and co had 21 shots on Kasper Schmeichel's goal, but the visiting goalkeeper was called into action just five times.
Recent form: LWWWDL
Recent form (all competitions): WWWDDL
Sunderland
On Wednesday, Tottenham could have done with their former striker Jermain Defoe, who would no doubt have backed himself to score at least one of those chances that were spurned. After all, only four players have scored more goals for Spurs in their history than the ex-England international.
Thankfully from Sunderland's point of view, the 33-year-old now wears their colours and right now he seems to be in clinical mood.
Defoe netted a hat-trick against the Swans, taking his tally to five goals in his last two outings - as many as he managed in his previous 22 appearances.
But, ahead of the trip to North London, it is worth noting that Sunderland's record on the road is rotten. Prior to the victory over Swansea, they had picked up fewer points away from home than any other club, including bottom-placed Aston Villa.
One aspect that Sam Allardyce will be keen to change is the number of penalties that his side are conceding at present. A Premier League-high five have been awarded against Sunderland this season and with Kane clinical from 12 yards, it will be crucial that they time their tackles well on Saturday.
Recent form: LLLLWW
Recent form (all competitions): LLLWLW
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