Tottenham Hotspur host arch rivals Arsenal on Thursday night in what is arguably the biggest North London derby in years. A win for Antonio Conte's side will reduce the gap between the two clubs to just one point, but the Gunners can seal a top-four finish if they win away at Spurs for the first time since 2014.
The Lilywhites head into this highly anticipated contest in indifferent form having won just once in their last four Premier League games. However, they produced a disciplined performance against title-chasing Liverpool at the weekend, securing a valuable 1-1 draw with the Merseyside outfit.
Arsenal, on the other hand, have turned things around after losing three consecutive games to Crystal Palace, Brighton and Southampton at the beginning of last month. Four wins on the bounce means they've closed the gap on west Londoners Chelsea, although the Blues moved four points clear of Mikel Arteta's side on Wednesday night with a win over Leeds United. Goals from Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic and Romelu Lukaku secured a comfortable 3-0 victory over Leeds United as the Blues tightened their grip on a place in next season's Champions League.
READ MORE: The four players Antonio Conte will be without for Tottenham vs Arsenal
There's still a lot on the line in the race for top four, however, and with that in mind, football.london has taken a look at what the three clubs need to qualify for next season's competition.
What Arsenal need
Arteta's team talk for Thursday night seems simple on paper. That's because three points in the North London derby will mean it's mathematically impossible for Tottenham to catch-up with them.
A draw would also be a decent result though, as they would still be four points clear of Spurs and could then secure fourth before they even play Newcastle next Monday if Tottenham lose at home to Burnley. If that match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium were to end in a draw on Sunday, the Gunners would need just a point from their trip to St. James’ Park.
But if Spurs were to win on Thursday, the gap would be cut to one point, meaning Arteta’s side would have to beat the Toon and the battle would be taken to the final day. If that were to happen, Spurs would be one point behind the Gunners, and by the time they play Newcastle, Arteta’s side could be two points behind Spurs after the Burnley match.
What Tottenham need
Realistically, Spurs have to win all of their remaining games. A loss to Arsenal means they'll be playing Europa League football next season, whilst a draw won't help much either.
If they manage to muster just one point on Thursday night, they would need to win both of their last two fixtures and hope that the Gunners draw against Newcastle and Everton. Or they could win one and draw one as long as Arsenal lose to both the Toon and the Toffees - a tough ask.
What Chelsea need
It would take a miracle for Chelsea to dropout of the top four now. As they're eight points clear of Spurs with only nine points left for the Lilywhites to play for, Tottenham have to win all three games for there to be any chance of the Blues finishing fifth.
Even then, given Thomas Tuchel side's mightily superior goal difference, Chelsea would likely have to lose both of their remaining games to risk a major collapse.
An Arsenal win at Spurs would see the Blues qualify for next season's Champions League as early as Thursday, although it would mean that Arteta's side would be just one point behind Chelsea in third.
What happens if Liverpool win the Champions League?
Liverpool face Real Madrid on May 28 in this season's Champions League final, but if the Reds win the competition, there won't be an additional spot in the premier competition for whoever finishes fifth in the Premier League - most likely Arsenal or Spurs.
The place instead is passed to the highest-ranked UEFA nation without a guaranteed group stage place. This year that is Ukraine, and as champions, Shakhtar Donetsk will take the extra spot.
