Tottenham are preparing for another huge clash in their battle for safety, and it is most likely the biggest game of their season to date. Spurs remain two points from safety, behind West Ham, and they are five points behind Nottingham Forest, who are threatening to pull away.
Roberto De Zerbi is still without a win as Spurs boss at this stage, but he must find a way to get one this weekend, with his side in action against bottom club Wolves. The fixture is by far the most winnable - on paper - of the remaining fixtures, and Alan Shearer believes Tottenham will indeed get an important three points.
Alan Shearer makes a bold Tottenham prediction that few would back
Shearer wrote in his Metro predictions: "It is an absolute must win for Spurs. I do believe with the belief they might have picked up last weekend, whether it was from their performance or West Ham not winning at Palace. I think that will give them great encouragement. Had it been the other way, then I think they would be doomed. I think if they lose this weekend then they will go down."
"Considering Wolves are already down, I am going to tip Spurs to win for the first time in a long time. Tottenham Win."
But what about the other games? Spurs fans can no longer solely worry about their own results, given the predicament their side is in, and so there will be plenty of eyes on the West Ham vs Everton game, in particular.
Given the Hammers' recent form and the fact Everton are fighting for Europe, it's a tricky game to call, and Shearer also found that to be the case, tipping a draw. He reasoned: "Everton are a really good side, especially away from home, they’ve got a good record. It is a tough one for West Ham, who are desperate to win. They will be at home, but I am not sure they will have enough to win it, so I am going to say a draw."
"A win this weekend would put Everton back on track for Europe. I thought they were a tad unlucky against Liverpool last week, but I will stick with a draw here."
Interestingly, Shearer also predicted a draw for Nottingham Forest in their tricky-looking trip to Sunderland, which means the table will have a very tight look about it after this weekend, if his predictions prove correct.
A Tottenham win would take them up to 34 points, and even with a West Ham draw, Spurs would leapfrog their London rivals due to possessing a six-goal goal difference lead, plus any goals gained from the Wolves win.
Forest currently have 36 points, so a draw takes them to 37, and their lead over the relegation zone would be cut from five points to three. Their current goal difference is two goals better than that of Tottenham's, but that would be reduced or eradicated in this scenario.
Forest have a brutal run-in between now and the end of the season, so they will feel they need to pick up at least three or four points to secure safety. Spurs know this Wolves win needs to be one of two or three if they are going to stand a chance of beating the drop.
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