As with many games at this stage of the season, the fixture between Burnley and Tottenham Hotspur at Turf Moor on Sunday afternoon has implications at both the top and bottom of the Premier League table.
After losing ground on fourth place, Spurs need points on the board to remain in the hunt for a Champions League spot while Burnley will be aware that a fifth home win of the campaign would likely take them out of the relegation zone.
Burnley
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Despite featuring in the relegation zone for much of the season, Burnley have relished their tag as underdogs and go into their remaining fixtures with every chance of survival.
Clarets boss Sean Dyche would have been aware that his team faced a tricky period where they face all of the top seven in the standings, but with just Spurs and Arsenal remaining, and both at home, they should be in contention to capitalise during the run-in.
On paper, their points return of five from nine games looks disappointing, but when you factor in their opponents during that period and that they only sit one point from safety, Dyche will be relatively content with their current position.
Remarkably, four of the five points that they have achieved have come against Chelsea and Manchester City. It could be argued that the 1-1 draw with the Blues and 1-0 triumph over City both had elements of luck, but the club perhaps deserved their good fortune for defending so resolutely in each game.
Despite those two impressive results though, Burnley need striker Danny Ings to regain the form that has reportedly attracted admirers from home and abroad. Ings has nine goals in 29 games this season, but he hasn't found the back of the net since February 11.
Goals from Ings could make all the difference. For a team who have operated on the lowest budget throughout the campaign, Burnley have performed solidly at the back, with more than two goals being conceded on just one occasion since January 31.
There would have been frustration after the 2-0 defeat to Southampton in their last match, but with their top-flight status on the line, the players shouldn't need too much lifting ahead of the visit of Spurs.
Recent form: LDLLWL
Tottenham Hotspur
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Given the form of striker Harry Kane, you would have expected Spurs to be higher in the standings than seventh position, but the White Hart Lane outfit have a fight on their hands if they want to guarantee a European place next season.
A Champions League spot is still a possibility, but with a six-point deficit to overturn and a relatively difficult run-in, Mauricio Pochettino may have to be content with trying to secure another year in the Europa League.
That achievement would be satisfactory for a club who are eager to make that leap into the elite of English football, but a strong end to the season, starting at Burnley, would leave them as an attractive option for potential signings in the summer.
Despite falling to seventh, it's difficult to criticise Spurs' results since the start of 2015. They have averaged two points a game since New Year's Day, but costly defeats at Liverpool and Manchester United haven't helped their cause.
Kane continues to be a revelation in attack, with 11 goals coming from his last eight Premier League games, but the team's performance in defence will be one of concern for Pochettino ahead of such an important fixture.
As many as 15 goals have been conceded in seven matches, with no clean sheets being recorded during that period, and if suspension or injury were to hit Kane, their reliance on the England international could be exposed.
However, three wins have come from their last four outings, including the 4-3 success over Leicester City before the international break, and at this stage of the season, it's results that matter most.
Recent form: LDWWLW
Recent form (all competitions): LLWWLW
Team News
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Spurs make the trip to the North-West without first-choice goalkeeper Hugo Lloris as he continues to recover from a knee injury picked up against Leicester City.
Michel Vorm will deputise for the French international, but Mauricio Pochettino may be without both Danny Rose and Roberto Soldado, who are struggling to recover from respective hamstring and knee problems.
Burnley should be able to call upon Stephen Ward after his recovery from a knee injury, but Matt Taylor is unlikely to be risked despite returning to training after Achilles surgery.
Sean Dyche must make a decision whether to keep a two-man attack, or drop Sam Vokes in favour of a fifth midfielder.
Burnley possible starting lineup:
Heaton; Trippier, Shackell, Duff, Mee; Boyd, Arfield, Jones, Barnes; Vokes, Ings
Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Walker, Dier, Vertonghen, Davies; Bentaleb, Mason; Chadli, Eriksen, Townsend; Kane
Head To Head
Despite the difference in stature of the two clubs, it's Burnley who hold the slight advantage from an historical perspective, with 30 victories being recorded compared to 28 from Spurs.
The Clarets are also unbeaten in their last three at Turf Moor, but in three fixtures between the two sides this season, they are yet to overcome the North London outfit.
Spurs prevailed in the FA Cup thanks to a third-round replay, but the Premier League match at White Hart Lane was settled by a stunner from Erik Lamela.
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We say: Burnley 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur
After their victory over Manchester City at Turf Moor, Burnley will go into Sunday's fixture with the full backing of their home crowd, but Spurs return to Premier League action after several of their squad had a positive impact on international duty with England. It should be a competitive affair, but Spurs could just nick it in the closing stages.
Darren Plant
