Kingmakers Tottenham can enjoy no-pressure run-in with Champions League race likely won

Spurs still to face Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City

Tottenham leapfrogged Aston Villa with an entertaining win over Nottingham Forest last night, and there is every indication that this should be a engaging battle for fourth between two exciting but flawed sides, both with a handful of big games to come.

And yet there is a distinct lack of jeopardy to Spurs’s run-in, a consequence of fifth place almost certainly being enough for a place in the revamped Champions League next season.

With Manchester United now trailing Spurs and Villa by 11 points with seven games remaining, in all likelihood both clubs will be in Europe’s top competition next term, leaving their run-ins feeling a little like a procession.

For the neutrals, and even many Spurs fans, more pressing than where they actually finish is the impact they could have on what is shaping up to be one of the greatest title races in Premier League history, with Ange Postecoglou’s side still to play each of the top three again.

Postecoglou would bristle at any suggestion that his side have been reduced to the role of potential spoilers, but on paper Spurs are the toughest remaining opponents for all three title contenders, although Arsenal and Liverpool have to face Villa, too.

Spurs are unbeaten against the top three this season, earning a controversial home win over Liverpool (they might fancy the replay demanded by Jurgen Klopp if the Reds miss out on the title to Arsenal by a point or two) and commendable draws at Arsenal and Manchester City.

Spurs host their neighbours and visit Anfield either side of a rearranged midweek game against Chelsea across a huge week in late April and early May, while their home game against City is still to be rescheduled after a postponement owing to the champions’ ongoing FA Cup run.

Postecoglou’s side have tended to be uncomfortable against opponents who set up to defend and they should relish facing more front-footed teams, when there will be more space for Heung-min Son, Timo Werner and Brennan Johnson in transition, a factor which could be particularly relevant against Liverpool and City.

With Postecoglou refusing to set any store by finishing fourth and the players likely to be aware of the probable cushion of five Champions League places, Spurs can face the top three without pressure, which will also suit their gung-ho approach under the Australian.

Despite defeat by City in the FA Cup in January, Spurs remain a bogey side for the champions, who are still to beat them in a league game at their new stadium and were undone by Dejan Kulusevski’s last-gasp equaliser in a 3-3 draw at the Etihad in December.

Spurs have a good record against Man City
REUTERS

Spurs fans of a certain age will remember when their seasons were effectively reduced to trying to derail Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal and, while they have far greater potential and ambition today, it would obviously be a delicious moment for the home support if they could scupper Mikel Arteta’s side in what promises to be a memorable atmosphere and occasion on April 28.

Each of the title contenders will be wary of Spurs’s ability to produce brilliant spells of football, particularly when attacking the single-tier South Stand in the second half and often with Postecoglou’s half-time frustrations still ringing in the players’ ears.

They had too much for Forest yesterday, and screamers from defenders Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro capped another stirring second-half display after a flat opening 45 minutes.

Spurs, though, have still not led at half-time at home in 2024, while their last clean sheet in north London was way back in October against Fulham. They will likely need to play with more control and intensity against the top three to have a definitive say in where the trophy ends up.

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