Newcastle, United Kingdom--Tottenham Hotspur will attempt to get their challenge for a top six finish back on track against the backdrop of a fans' demonstration at Newcastle United on Sunday.
Some home supporters are planning to boycott the game in protest at the way the club has been run, but that will be a sideshow for Mauricio Pochettino's side, who are bidding to bounce back following the 1-0 home defeat by Aston Villa.
That loss left Spurs in seventh place and seven points adrift of the top four, meaning the north London club's hopes of claiming a place in next season's Champions League are effectively over.
Pochettino and his players will not give up on the main prize until the mathematics tell them otherwise, but their more realistic target is to ensure a place in the Europa League.
And after a run of one win in the last four games, they must recover form quickly if they are not to allow the season to fizzle out tamely.
Tottenham centre-back Federico Fazio said: "We need to think only about the last six games now and try to get 18 points. It's difficult, but we can do it and we have the team to do it.
"We need to be positive and to be confident, that's most important. We can win these six games, it's possible."
Spurs will again look to striker Harry Kane, who heads into the weekend joint top-scorer in the Premier League with 19 goals and Pochettino maintained the young England forward's impact should earn him the player of the year award ahead of Eden Hazard, instrumental in Chelsea's rise to the top of the table.
"Hazard is a very good player. He is fantastic," said Tottenham manager Pochettino.
The Spurs trio of Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen and Kyle Walker all face late fitness tests.
AFP
