Our Tottenham Hotspur fans here in the Transfer Tavern are hoping to really kick on in the league for the next few months and grab that final Champions League spot for next season.

Mauricio Pochettino has turned Spurs into title contenders over the few years he’s been at the club, running teams close in several seasons but always seeming to come up short in the final stages of the season.

This season has been a failure compared to previous and Spurs must fight hard to claim one of the four places up for grabs. There seems to be a three-way fight for the fourth place with many of our regulars feeling that both Manchester clubs and Chelsea have got their spots all but secured.

However, if Spurs are to continue in the Champions League next year, our landlord feels that these two matches in February will define the final months of the season…

February 4th: Away v Liverpool

Spurs start February with what could be one of the matches of the season against the fellow attack-minded team, Liverpool. The two styles come together for a clash that could swing the momentum either way following the outcome. Although Tottenham will take heart from their thrashing of the Reds at Wembley, Jurgen Klopp’s side have got a lot stronger since.

If Spurs are to be in with a shout of claiming a Champions League spot, they have to overcome a tough test at Anfield and come out victorious to kick-start their February.

February 10th: Home v Arsenal

The following week, after an FA Cup replay against Newport County and before their first leg Champions League match against Juventus, Spurs have the small matter of a North London derby to deal with. With Arsenal seeking to hunt down their rivals as the bid for places hots up, it promises to be a cracker.

Spurs will want to dent their rivals hopes of catching them up, and a win would not only open up a gap between the two but give the local bragging rights to Spurs.