Tottenham's next five Premier League fixtures could have a major say on where they finish in the table as they fight the likes of Liverpool and Newcastle United for a Champions League spot
Free midweeks worked in their favour this time last year as they had sufficient time on the training pitch with Conte to put together an incredible run that saw them pip Arsenal to fourth. Scoring goals for fun and with an attacking trio of Harry Kane, Dejan Kulusevski and Son Heung-min running riot, supporters would love for that to be the case in the final 12 league fixtures.
If Tottenham are to have another Champions League campaign to look forward to come September then confidence must be restored as soon as possible. One thing that Spurs do have going in their favour at the moment is a kind run of Premier League fixtures on the horizon.
However, a repeat of the displays against Sheffield United and AC Milan and the next five fixtures will be anything but kind for the Lilywhites. Four of Tottenham's next five opponents are in a relegation dogfight, with three of those - Southampton, Everton and Bournemouth - currently making up the bottom three.
Liverpool are only three points behind them in the race for fourth as things stand, crucially having one game in hand on Conte's side. Newcastle United are very much in the mix going into the run-in as they have 14 games left, while Fulham, Brighton or Brentford could even spring a surprise if the aforementioned trio drop points and results go their way.
Travelling to title contenders Man City on Saturday, April 1, the Merseyside club are on the road again three days later for their rearranged game at Stamford Bridge before then hosting Arsenal in a pivotal showdown at Anfield. Appearing to have found their stride at such a key time in the calendar, Liverpool will do extremely well to come out of their three crunch games with maximum points, thus handing Tottenham the opportunity to potentially open up a gap between them providing that they are on their A-game and the Reds aren't victorious.
Newcastle will also fancy their chances of picking up points in the weeks ahead but that is all going to come down to getting back on track after failing to win in their past five league games. As well as facing Manchester United at St James' Park, Wolves, Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Brentford are all on the agenda for the Magpies.
Tottenham
11/03 - Nottingham Forest (H) - 3pm
18/03 - Southampton (A) - 3pm
03/04 - Everton (A) - 8pm
08/04 - Brighton & Hove Albion (H) - 3pm
15/04 - Bournemouth (H) - 3pm
Liverpool
11/03 - Bournemouth (A) - 3pm
01/04 - Man City (A) - 12:30pm
04/04 - Chelsea (A) - 8pm
09/04 - Arsenal (H) - 4.30pm
17/04 - Leeds United (A) - 8pm
Newcastle United
12/03 - Wolves (H) - 4.30pm
17/03 - Nottingham Forest (A) - 8pm
02/04 - Manchester United (H) - 4.30pm
05/04 - West Ham (A) - 8pm
08/04 - Brentford (A) - 3pm