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Andre Villas-Boas predicts "passionate" North London derby

Villas-Boas predicts
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Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas believes that the importance of Sunday's North London derby will ensure that the match is a "passionate" encounter.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas has declared that the atmosphere in Sunday's North London derby will be amplified by the importance of gaining a positive result.

Spurs moved four points clear of Arsenal last night by claiming a 3-2 victory over West Ham United in dramatic circumstances.

Villas-Boas believes that beating the Gunners at White Hart Lane this weekend will serve as a crucial step in securing Champions League football at the expense of their local rivals.

He told BBC Sport: "The North London derby is going to be very passionate, and if we can put Arsenal seven points away it will be a big step for us.

"We know we need a bigger gap than at the moment to keep them away. Nothing will be decided because anything can happen in this league but it will be important."

Spurs moved above Chelsea to third in the Premier League table with Gareth Bale's late winner against the Hammers.

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West Ham manager Sam Allardyce prior to kick-off against Aston Villa on February 10, 2013
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


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