Newcastle United will be aiming to make it two big scalps in a matter of days as they take on Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium on Saturday lunchtime.
The Magpies stunned champions Manchester City on Tuesday evening and now head to the capital for a showdown with Mauricio Pochettino's third-placed side.
Tottenham Hotspur
© ReutersA response was needed from Tottenham in midweek and Pochettino got it - just! The Lilywhites headed into their home match with Watford on the back of two cup exits in the space of three days to derail their campaign.
Spurs lost on penalties to Chelsea after playing out a 2-2 draw in their EFL Cup semi-final, before then losing 2-0 at another London rival in Crystal Palace to drop out of the FA Cup at the fourth-round stage.
Pochettino's comments after the latter of those defeats made headlines, as the Argentinian - still popular among supporters despite a terrible few days - again suggested that winning either of the domestic cups is not high on his agenda.
Instead, as the rumoured Manchester United and Real Madrid target has repeatedly pointed out, the Premier League and Champions League are what really count for Spurs.
A 2-1 comeback win over Watford on Wednesday ensures that the Lilywhites are just about in the title mix, with late goals from Son Heung-min and Fernando Llorente lifting Spurs to within two points of Man City and within seven points of leaders Liverpool.
With Tottenham playing before Liverpool and Man City this weekend, there is a chance to further increase the pressure on the two sides above them.
Despite their recent cup disappointment, Pochettino's men have won back-to-back matches in the Premier League, recovering from a goal down to beat Fulham and Watford 2-1 - never before in the competition have they won three in a row after conceding first.
Spurs have lost just one of their last 26 home Premier League games in February, meanwhile, and they have won 18 of those since a 4-0 defeat to Manchester United in 2007.
Three more points at Wembley on Saturday and only a fool would write off Tottenham's chances of overhauling a stuttering Liverpool side. In Pochettino's eyes that, and not a domestic cup triumph, is the real aim for his side.
Recent form in Premier League: WLWLWW
Recent form (all competitions): WLWLLW
Newcastle United
© ReutersNewcastle's 2-0 loss to Watford in the FA Cup last weekend hurt supporters, seeing their FA Cup run come to an end before the fifth round for a 13th year in succession.
That defeat was soon forgotten about, however, as Rafael Benitez saw his side claim a gutsy 2-1 win over champions Man City on Tuesday to further ease their relegation concerns.
United have now won back-to-back matches in the top flight, having also cruised to a 3-0 win against fellow strugglers Cardiff City, leaving them five points clear of the dropzone.
Prior to the Cardiff match, the Magpies were in the bottom three and fan anger towards owner Mike Ashley had ramped up a few notches. Helped by those two league wins on the spin, though, and talk of a club-record deal for Miguel Almiron being pushed through before Thursday night's transfer deadline, supporters appear to be back onside again.
Benitez's charges have just two more fixtures against top-six sides to navigate following Saturday's meeting with Spurs - a trip to Arsenal on March 30 and a home match against Liverpool on May 5.
Getting any points on the board this weekend may be too much of an ask, however, as they have collected just 12 points from their last 21 Premier League visits to the capital, though half of those have come against Tottenham.
Not since December 2015 have United won consecutive league matches against big-six opposition, meanwhile, with the second game in that run coming away at Tottenham.
This is very much another bonus match for the Magpies, but a repeat of their performance against Man City and they could easily have another big say in the destination of the Premier League title.
Recent form in Premier League: LDLLWW
Recent form (all competitions): DLWWLW
Team News
© ReutersSon made a huge impact on his return to action following a fortnight away on international duty by scoring a crucial goal against Watford. The South Korean has now scored eight goals in his last nine appearances for the club in all competitions and is a likely starter for this match.
Key man Harry Kane remains absent through injury, however, as does attacking midfielder Dele Alli, so Llorente will continue to lead the line.
Ben Davies is also carrying a knock and is expected to sit this one out, giving Danny Rose a run in the side, and it is a straight shootout between Kieran Trippier and Serge Aurier on the opposite flank - the latter getting the nod in midweek.
In terms of the visitors, Paul Dummett, Jonjo Shelvey and Mohamed Diame are all in a battle against time to be fit for Saturday's clash in London.
Benitez may opt against risking any of that trio, though, and the Spaniard will also be without Ki Sung-yueng, Joselu, Karl Darlow, Rob Elliot and Yoshinori Muto.
The same XI that started against Man City may therefore be used, with Sean Longstaff continuing his fine run of form since being thrown into midfield and Isaac Hayden also coming in from the cold to play a big part of late.
Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Alderweireld, Sanchez, Vertonghen; Trippier, Sissoko, Dier, Eriksen, Rose; Llorente, Son
Newcastle United possible starting lineup:
Dubravka; Yedlin, Schar, Lascelles, Lejeune, Ritchie; Perez, Hayden, Longstaff, Atsu; Rondon
Head To Head
Since losing both Premier League meetings with Newcastle in the 2015-16 season, Spurs have won each of their last three against the Magpies.
None of Tottenham's last 20 Premier League home games against Newcastle have ended as a draw - 12 wins for the Lilywhites and eight wins for United.
The Magpies have lost on their last seven visits to Wembley in all competitions since winning the 1955 FA Cup final against Man City - the worst-ever losing run by a team at the stadium.
We say: Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Newcastle United
Victory or defeat here would see Tottenham set a new Premier League record of most consecutive games without a draw, the record currently standing at 28. Newcastle would no doubt take a draw if offered to them before kickoff but, despite their impressive result against Man City last time out, they have a poor record at this ground and have their work cut out to stop Tottenham's outside title charge.
