Tottenham Hotspur play host to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon with just one point separating the two clubs in the standings.
Although both teams have ambitions of securing Champions League football, defeat here could leave either outfit closer to mid-table.
Match preview
When Spurs succumbed tamely at Chelsea last weekend, Jose Mourinho was quick to allude to his team's lack of preparation after just under 65 hours separated the defeat to RB Leipzig in the Champions League and the setback at Stamford Bridge.
However, in a role reversal, Spurs will have had five more days recovery than their opponents on Sunday, who have played twice since Mourinho's side were beaten at the home of his former club.
Regardless of the time that Spurs have been able to spend on the training pitch this week, Mourinho will know that this fixture is arguably one of their biggest of the campaign if they want to finish in the top four.
Although a four-match undefeated streak led to 10 points being recorded, Spurs are now four points adrift of Chelsea in the race to secure a place in next season's Champions League.
With numerous matches against some of their nearest rivals still to come, Mourinho will acknowledge that such fixtures could make or break their season.
The long-term injury to Son Heung-min has come at the wrong time, especially with Harry Kane still at least six weeks from a return, and it means that the onus is on the likes of Dele Alli to keep the club in contention heading into the closing weeks.
Although the playmaker has gone six matches without a goal or assist, having his minutes restricted against Leipzig and Chelsea may work to the team's and player's benefit going forward.
Despite the increasing influence of Giovani Lo Celso, Spurs require an added creative spark in the final third to complement the pace of Steven Bergwijn and Lucas Moura, who have made little impact in either of the last two matches.
From Wolves' perspective, they will view Spurs' recent drop-off as a window of opportunity to move ahead of their hosts in the standings, but it remains to be seen whether their European excursions will hinder their efforts on the domestic scene.
The likes of Ruben Neves, Diogo Jota and Raul Jimenez were all not required as Wolves booked their place in the Europa League last 16 on Thursday night against Espanyol.
Nevertheless, adding at least two more fixtures to their schedule puts extra focus on matches such as the one on Sunday, an occasion where they will hope to leapfrog one of English football's established top six.
While three goals were conceded in Spain on Thursday night, Wolves have kept three successive clean sheets in the top flight against Manchester United, Leicester City and Norwich City respectively.
Nuno Espirito Santo has also been getting more out of Diogo Jota, who has netted five times in his last two outings after a relatively poor effort in the final third throughout the season.
Daniel Podence offers an alternative to Jota after his January arrival from Olympiacos, but Nuno has shown loyalty to his long-standing players in the past.
That puts pressure on the Portuguese and his attacking teammates to deliver more regularly in the final third, with nine goals from three matches over the past week coming after previously requiring 10 games to score the same amount.
On paper, Wolves have a favourable domestic schedule over the next month, although their mindset heading into those contests will depend on how they fare in a potentially pivotal showdown at the weekend.
Tottenham Hotspur Premier League form: LDWWWL
Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions): DWWWLL
Wolverhampton Wanderers Premier League form: DWLDDW
Wolverhampton Wanderers form (all competitions): LDDWWL
Team News
Having had another week to boost his fitness in training, Erik Lamela is expected to make his first start after a spell on the sidelines.
Alli is also likely to be recalled to the starting lineup, with Japhet Tanganga and Tanguy Ndombele potentially dropping out of the side.
After only featuring on the substitutes' bench last weekend, Serge Aurier should return at right-back.
Nuno has a concern over Jonny, who missed the Europa League game in midweek due to a knock sustained against Norwich on Sunday.
With Ruben Vinagre having come through an hour against Espanyol after a hamstring injury, the Portuguese is expected to get the nod at left wing-back.
Nuno must decide whether to use a 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 formation, with one of Leander Dendoncker or Adama Traore likely to begin the game among the replacements.
Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Aurier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Davies; Winks, Lo Celso; Bergwijn, Alli, Lamela; Moura
Wolverhampton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Patricio; Boly, Coady, Saiss; Doherty, Neves, Dendoncker, Moutinho, Vinagre; Jota, Jimenez
Head To Head
Sunday's fixture will represent the 97th competitive meeting between the two clubs, with Spurs recording 48 wins in comparison to 28 victories for Wolves.
In 11 matches which have taken place since the turn of the Millennium, Spurs have prevailed on six occasions and suffered three defeats.
Six games have been played since the home team last emerged victorious in this head-to-head, a run stretching back to September 2010.
We say: Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Although Wolves were able to rest players in midweek, we feel that Spurs' extra preparation time could prove crucial here. Mourinho needs a big performance from his players after two straight defeats, and the North Londoners could deliver in front of their own supporters.
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