Spurs will enter this game with two mindsets. On the one hand, their instincts will be that they need to win this game, having slipped outside of the top four, replaced by their rivals Arsenal and Chelsea.
On the other hand, Spurs might just remain calm in the knowledge that simply avoiding defeat could be good enough for the moment, as Arsenal still have to play United to play and Chelsea have to face the Champions elect too. Therefore, there are plenty more opportunities to gain points or see their rivals drop them.
Villas-Boas finds his side two points behind Arsenal with an inferior goal difference but possessing a game in hand. Spurs are a further point adrift of Chelsea in third, and they also have an inferior goal difference but no game in hand on the Blues.
The tactical mindset may be altered by how Arsenal fare against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday. Should they drop points, Spurs may decide to set up in a more defensive manner, safe in the knowledge that they are unlikely to lose further ground on their ultimatum goal, fourth place.
Since Bale's explosion of form at the beginning of February, he has missed three games for Spurs, two through injury and one through suspension. In those games, Spurs have failed to pick up a victory, losing on aggregate 8-2.
If Bale is unable to play against City, it would represent a huge statement if Villas-Boas can manufacture a result of some substance to galvanise the rest of the group into believing that they are capable of earning a Champions League place without their star man.
Simply put, this game's importance depends on the mindset of the manager and whether the players can react to adversity in the short term. If results go the wrong way, Spurs could drop to sixth and be five points off a Champions League place by the end of the weekend.
Even with the kind run of fixtures that follow this game, that might be a mountain too steep to climb, hence avoiding defeat becomes almost paramount here for Spurs.
More Info: [Live -] Online - TV] AS Nancy - Evian Thonon Gaillard - French Ligue 1
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