Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United meet at White Hart Lane on Sunday just 45 hours after celebrating Premier League wins.
The Red Devils extended their unbeaten run to eight games with a 3-1 home victory over Newcastle United in which captain Wayne Rooney bagged a brace.
At the same time on Boxing Day, Spurs were recording a third consecutive Premier League win for the first time since February 2013 as they rode their luck to beat Leicester City 2-1 at the King Power Stadium.
Now these two top-four hopefuls will experience the demands of the festive fixture list as they do battle less than two days after their last outings.
United boss Louis van Gaal is far from happy with the scheduling of games over Christmas as he feels that they go against UEFA and FIFA guidelines regarding the gap recommended between matches.
The Dutchman has also complained that he will not have time to specifically prepare his side for their trip to the capital, and the continued absence of several players will prevent him somewhat from rotating.
Angel di Maria is a major doubt having pulled out of the victory over the Magpies with a pelvic injury, while Marouane Fellaini is not expected to feature either having missed United's last two games.
Van Gaal has confirmed that Rooney will continue in midfield alongside Michael Carrick, an £18m signing from Spurs, whose return to the Red Devils team has coincided with their rise to third in the table.
Rooney's employment in a deeper role has allowed Radamel Falcao an opportunity in attack, but the injury-plagued Colombian may be rested, with James Wilson instead partnering Robin van Persie up front.
Luke Shaw, Ander Herrera, Daley Blind, Marcos Rojo and Adnan Januzaj are among those who remain sidelined, but Chris Smalling may be fit enough to replace youngster Paddy McNair in the visiting back three.
Mauricio Pochettino has a clean bill of health after Ryan Mason emerged unscathed through 45 minutes against the Foxes, and the midfielder should be restored to the starting XI in place of Benjamin Stambouli.
There will probably also be a recall for Ben Davies at left-back, at the expense of Danny Rose, while Hugo Lloris has been cleared to face off against fellow goalkeeping star David De Gea following a minor head injury.
In-form striker Harry Kane, who now has 15 goals in all competitions this season, and Christian Eriksen will be Tottenham's main attacking threats, with the only possible rotation in other attacking positions.
Spurs are unbeaten in their last four encounters with United, having previously gone 27 without victory, and will climb to fourth in the table, two points behind their opponents, with a win this weekend.
Spurs:
Form in Premier League: WLDWWW
Form in all competitions: LDWWWW
Possible starting lineup: Lloris; Walker, Fazio, Vertonghen, Davies; Mason, Bentaleb; Chadli, Eriksen, Lamela; Kane
Man United:
Recent form: WWWWDW
Possible starting lineup: De Gea; Jones, Smalling, Evans; Valencia, Carrick, Rooney, Young; Mata; Van Persie, Wilson
Sports Mole says: 1-1
Joe Fish
