The stakes could barely be higher for Wednesday night's Premier League clash between Manchester City and Tottenham.
Watch the crunch clash live on Sky Sports 2 and HD2
The stakes could barely be higher for Wednesday night's Premier League clash between Manchester City and Tottenham.
With Spurs and the big-spending Blues seen as strong challengers to break into the top four last summer, the anticipation has been building all season towards this crunch clash, live on
Sky Sports 2, Sky Sports HD2 and
Sky Sports 3D.
Victory at Eastlands would guarantee Tottenham a place in next season's UEFA Champions League but a City win would leave the matter in their hands heading into the final day.
The Blues' Arab owners vowed to turn City into title contenders after their sensational takeover in 2008 and establish the club amongst Europe's elite.
They were not expected to be in contention last season but after a stunning spending spree last summer, City have lived up to expectations and maintained a top-four challenge.
Tottenham, too, have been in the race throughout the campaign though, and it is they that are fourth - one point above City - heading into the penultimate game of the season.
Redknapp claim
And Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has cranked up the tension on the eve of the Champions League showdown by claiming City threatened to sign both Craig Bellamy and Wilson Palacios in January 2009 if Tottenham did not drop their interest in the Welshman.
Redknapp duly obliged, leaving Bellamy free to join City while Spurs landed Palacios from Wigan, and the Blues are now considering legal action over Redknapp's allegation.
Roberto Mancini's job could also be on the line. The Italian replaced Mark Hughes as City boss in December and, although he insists otherwise, reports have claimed he too will be axed if City fall short.
His counterpart, Redknapp, has done him few favours by claiming all the pressure is on City given the amount they have spent in a bid to fulfil their lofty ambitions and only an appearance in next season's Champions League would attract the truly big names to Eastlands this summer and take the Blues to the next level.
History
That would open a new chapter in City's history as their only other appearance in Europe's top competition was a two-legged tie in 1968, although Mancini has said Hughes would deserve half the credit for getting them there.
Tottenham have hardly been impotent in the transfer market, though, with Redknapp having been one of the Premier League's big spenders over the last year, splashing out around £35m.
And many Spurs fans will be expecting them to clinch a first-ever Champions League appearance having been in the box seat for much of the second half of the season.
City are in buoyant mood having come from behind on Saturday to claim their first win in three, knock Aston Villa out of the race and set up the do-or-die duel with Spurs.
The late loss against derby rivals Manchester United in City's previous home game was only their second Eastlands defeat all season, while Tottenham have only won six out of 17 on the road.
However, Spurs have also come through some big games themselves recently - beating Arsenal and Chelsea - and have won 11 of their last 12 games against City.
Team news
Emergency loan goalkeeper Marton Fulop is set to continue between the sticks for City after making his debut in Saturday's 3-1 win against Villa.
Gareth Barry was left out against his former club with a hamstring strain and could return to the centre of midfield for either Nigel de Jong or Patrick Vieira.
Defender Joleon Lescott (hamstring) has been ruled out for the final two games while midfielder Stephen Ireland (ankle) will also miss out.
Tottenham will leave it as late as possible before making a decision on whether captain Ledley King starts.
The defender is again being troubled by his long-standing knee problem and will be assessed during the warm-up at Eastlands. Should he be given the all-clear then it'd be the first time he has played three straight games all season.
In-form keeper Heurelho Gomes is expected to overcome a thigh strain and remain in goal while winger Aaron Lennon could make his first start since December having featured from the bench in the last two games.
Redknapp is set to choose between Peter Crouch, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Roman Pavlyuchenko to partner top scorer Jermain Defoe up front.
Possible starting XIs:
Man City: Fulop, Zabaleta, Kompany, Toure, Bridge, Johnson, De Jong, Barry, Bellamy, Adebayor, Tevez.
Tottenham: Gomes, Kaboul, Dawson, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Huddlestone, Modric, Bale, Defoe, Crouch.
Prediction: Man City 2 Tottenham 1
One to Watch: Craig Bellamy
