Chelsea are on the cusp of the Premier League title and victory against Crystal Palace on Super Sunday will secure it.
Chelsea have been head and shoulders above their rivals in the chase for the title this season and they could have it wrapped up with three games to spare.
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The Blues enter this weekend's fixtures 13 points clear and needing three points to seal a first championship in five years.
A victory would take them to 83 points, which is just three points less than the total they amassed when they last achieved title success in the 2009/10 season.
Chelsea's 3-1 victory over Leicester City on Wednesday thanks to second-half goals from Didier Drogba, John Terry and Ramires was their 14th game without defeat in the Premier League.
Crystal Palace will become just the third team this season to beat Chelsea if successful, following on from Newcastle and Tottenham, but head to Stamford Bridge on the back of two straight defeats.
Team news
Diego Costa will miss the match and may not feature again this season if the Blues win the Premier League title on Sunday.
Costa's campaign has been punctuated by hamstring problems and the striker will not be risked against the Eagles, with Chelsea needing three points to win the title.
Loic Remy is back from a calf injury, while Thibaut Courtois could return in goal after a minor hip problem.
Opta facts
Chelsea have lost just one of their last 14 league matches against Crystal Palace (W9 D4 L1).
Alan Pardew has won four of his last six Premier League matches as an opposition coach against Chelsea.
When Palace met Chelsea back in October, it was only the 12th time in Premier League history that both teams were reduced to 10 men before half-time.
Crystal Palace have recovered more points from losing positions than any other team in the Premier League this season (18).
Mourinho has coached Chelsea in 95 Premier League games at Stamford Bridge, losing just one (W74 D20 L1)
The Blues have kept five clean sheets in their last six Premier League games against London opposition, but conceded five in the other game (3-5 v Spurs).
Palace have committed more fouls than any other team in the Premier League (462).
Chelsea will seal the title with a win. Their 2004-05 crown came in the 35th game, their 2005-06 one in the 36th game and their 2009-10 triumph on the final day.
Merson's prediction
Crystal Palace players Jason Puncheon and Yannick Bolasie speak of the successful impact Alan Pardew has had since his arrival at the club
I think this will be Chelsea's title party, but it won't be easy. Palace are decent away from home - they've won seven of their eight travels under Alan Pardew - and their style of play suits it.
But I can't go against Chelsea. They are worthy winners and have been outstanding this season, using a fantastic core of a side and creating a winning mentality. That's Jose Mourinho, and all this 'boring' talk is just pathetic.
It's hard to retain the title the following year; Arsenal need a couple of players, as we say every year, Man City are going to buy because of the bad season they've had, Manchester United are going to buy too. It won't be easy.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-1 (Sky Bet Odds 15/2)
Tottenham and Manchester City meet on Super Sunday with the prospect of it being the visitors' first game since being dethroned as Premier League champions.
With Chelsea playing in Sunday’s early match, by the time the game at White Hart Lane kicks off Jose Mourinho’s men could well have sealed their first title in five years and officially end City’s wretched title defence.
While Manuel Pellegrini’s men are now in a fight for second, Spurs are in a three-way battle with Liverpool and Southampton for fifth.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side have been in rather inconsistent form of late, winning, drawing and losing twice in their last six league fixtures.
They were well beaten in the reverse fixture back in October as Sergio Aguero scored all four City goals in a 4-1 victory.
Team news
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino is hopeful Danny Rose will be fit to face City.
The 24-year-old has been sidelined with a hamstring complaint but could return in time to replace fellow left-back Ben Davies, who will miss the remainder of the season after dislocating a shoulder in last weekend's 2-2 draw at Southampton.
Kyle Walker (foot) is also absent while the likes of Younes Kaboul and Emmanuel Adebayor are again expected to miss out on a place in the matchday squad.
Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure will miss the match with a hamstring injury.
Toure was forced off at half-time against West Ham last week and joins captain Vincent Kompany (groin) on the sidelines this weekend.
Playmaker Samir Nasri and defender Gael Clichy could be back in contention after recent lay-offs, leaving striker Stevan Jovetic as the only notable absentee.
Opta facts
Tottenham have kept just one clean sheet in their last 11 Premier League outings.
Manchester City have won seven and lost just one of the last eight Barclays Premier League meetings with Spurs.
Manuel Pellegrini has seen his side score 15 goals in their last three Premier League games against Spurs and at least four in each match.
Sergio Aguero has netted nine goals in six Premier League appearances against Spurs.
Spurs have taken fewer points than any other team in the head to heads between the top six teams going into this weekend (8).
City have lost their last four Premier League away games in a row. They haven’t lost five on the bounce since April 2006.
Merson's prediction
Both sides will go out and have a go for this one, making for an entertaining game.
I think the season has cost Manuel Pellegrini his job. If you're Manchester City, not winning the league, not winning any silverware with a team like that, you're in trouble.
Mauricio Pochettino, on the other hand, has done OK at Spurs so far. He fell across the team slightly, but has brought Kane in regularly, and introduced Ryan Mason into midfield.
But they need a few players, a few more of his own players to make them into the team he wants.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2 (11/1 on Sky Bet)
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