Champions League place on the line in enormous Eastlands encounter

There can be only one outcome to this game for Manchester City if they wish to take Champions League qualification into their own hands; three points is quite simply a must. With Tottenham Hotspur travelling to already relegated Burnley on the last day of the season, Roberto Mancini's side have to wrestle the initiative away from them with a win on Wednesday night. A loss, and it's all over.

If you believe the sounds emanating out of Eastlands, failure to qualify for Europe's elite competition is not a complete disaster this season, but, considering the significant investment made in the summer that included the purchases of Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Adebayor and Carlos Tevez, the board members at City will be privately aware of just how important a win really is.

City are well equipped to take the race for fourth place to the wire currently; their loss to Manchester United is their only defeat in their last six games. Last Saturday they ended Aston Villa's charge after going a goal down in the first half - can they significantly dent Tottenham's?

Spurs have been here before, though. In 2006, then managed by Martin Jol, Tottenham were on the verge of Champions League football, needing only a win against West Ham United to secure fourth place, leaving Arsenal in their wake. What followed has been consigned to Premier League history.

Ten members of the playing staff contracted food poisoning and fell violently sick the night before the game at Upton Park. Spurs officials tried to have the game delayed by 24 hours but to no avail and West Ham ran out 2-1 victors - leaving Spurs cursing the dreaded dodgy lasagne that caused the bug.

A handful of the Spurs squad from 2006 remain, and the likes of Ledley King and Tom Huddlestone remember the feeling of disappointment all too well. Now, Harry Redknapp's charges have the chance to put those memories to rest with victory on Wednesday, against a City side they beat 3-0 at White Hart Lane earlier in the season.

TEAM NEWS

Man City

Emergency loanee Marton Fulop is likely to start against his former club, for whom he never played, in the absence of Shay Given, and City look set to be boosted by the return of Gareth Barry - the England international who has been struggling with a hamstring injury for weeks.

Joleon Lescott's season has been hampered by the same problem, though he will not be available before the end of the season.

Possible Starting XI: Fulop; Zabaleta, Toure, Kompany, Bridge; Johnson, De Jong, Barry; Tevez, Adebayor, Bellamy.

Tottenham

Goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes pulled up towards the end of Saturday's win over Bolton; his availability is as yet unknown, but Ben Alnwick could be drafted in as his replacement.

Ledley King's troublesome knee is likely to be assessed in the hours before the game after he starred on Saturday. Vedran Corluka, Niko Kranjcar, Jonathan Woodgate and Carlo Cudicini are all unavailable.

Possible Starting XI: Gomes; Kaboul, Dawson, King, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Huddlestone, Modric, Bale; Defoe, Crouch.

GOAL

Tottenham Welcome to CL

All d noise abt 4th spot when they wont make it past the qualifying round! Tseew.

Hmmm. Today na today o! Tevez vs King is going to be awesome.

4llerbuntu:

All d noise abt 4th spot when they wont make it past the qualifying round! Tseew.

yeah. . . . . amazing innit?

Adebayor called to tell me "THIS IS MY GAME".

Which of these 2 teams will give EPL the better representation in the next UCL? me think Man City will be able to attract some of the world best if they get the 4th spot. But like we know, having the best players doesn't translate to outright success in your first campaign unless you have a world class manager

More breaking news from Eastlands: Roberto Mancini is wearing the scarf.

Citeh playing some lovely footie.

Hotpots no wan gree oo!

Citeh should bring on Paddy V and game will be over!
The Spuds will be so scared

0 - 0

Half time.

Tempo is HIGH!

Paddy set to come in and seal 4th spot for Citeh

What a save from Fulop?
Paddy is on

Imagine if the only goal of the game is to be scored by an ex Gunner or the 3 combine

Never knew teams can fight for 4th spot like this. . .End to End stuff.

FBS:

Never knew teams can fight for 4th spot like this. . .End to End stuff.

4th spot=30-60m and finally breaking the 'big 4's dominance for about 5-6 years

Citeh starting to get tired
The Spuds may just nick in a goal and we won't rest in North London again if they win

King's positioning as a CB is top class

Fulop would be made a chief in Manchester
What a save!!!!!!!!!

How did that not go in?
What a save by FULOP!

HNIC:

4th spot=30-60m and finally breaking the 'big 4's dominance for about 5-6 years

You think Citeh need the money?

KING is CLASS!

Crouch!!!!

The Spuds have won
Crouchy breaks Citeh hearts

Why did they even sack Sparky? Is Mancini any better?

FBS:

You think Citeh need the money?

It's a recession,Even millionaiires need some 'small change'
Citeh are just a mess

HNIC:

It's a recession,Even millionaiires need some 'small change'
Citeh are just a mess

I don't think they are playing for the money right now. . .

Make them play Europa League for a start.

FBS:

Why did they even sack Sparky? Is Mancini any better?

I think they got the Player mix wrong

HNIC:

I think they got the Player mix wrong

Well na dem sabi. And to think I was actually rooting for them to win today?

FBS:

Well na dem sabi. And to think I was actually rooting for them to win today?

Same here
I can't stand the Spuds
They will make a DVD out of this match

Spuds are in the CL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Citeh are really noisy neighbours

I am chuffed for Harry Redknapp.
His hardwork has been finally rewarded. . . . . .

Tottenham qualify for Champions League. . . . .Jeeeeeeeeeeeeeez!!!
Tevez the tarado couldn't help his team get into the Champions League. . . .What a laugh!!!!

~Sauron~:

Tevez the tarado couldn't help his team get into the Champions League. . . .What a laugh!!!!

How about Seyi Adebayor who did 90 yards in 7 seconds to celebrate scoring against Arsenal?
How frustrating for him to be at home on Tuesdays and Wednesdays watching his former club play on TV?