Every year when the fixtures are announced you hear the familiar refrain that “it doesn’t matter, you play everyone twice”.
But there is no doubt that when you face a certain team can make a big difference across a 10-month campaign.
With five games remaining, Spurs will definitely think their run-in, at least on paper, gives them every chance of staying up.
Next up is a trip to Wolves, who have long since been looking ahead to Championship football next week.
A home match against Leeds on 11 May is another they would view as an opportunity, especially if Daniel Farke’s side have beaten Burnley at Elland Road in their previous game and essentially ensured their safety.
Even a tricky looking away match at Champions League-chasing Aston Villa on 3 May comes at a good time for Spurs, as it falls between the two legs of the Europa League semi-final for Unai Emery’s men.
A visit to rivals Chelsea before hosting Everton on the final day is not straightforward way to finish given both teams seem likely to be fighting for the European places.
But given how tight things are, that is something all the relegation candidates with have to deal with.
West Ham host Everton on Saturday before an away game at Brentford – and it only gets tougher with title-chasing Arsenal the visitors to the London Stadium on 10 May.
Even with Newcastle enduring a disappointing season, an away game at St James’ Park on the penultimate weekend is far from simple and there could be plenty riding on the home match against Leeds on the last day.
Forest arguably face the toughest last five with away games at Chelsea and Manchester United in May – the former coming just three days before the second leg of their Europa League semi-final against Villa.
Home games against Newcastle and Bournemouth, on the last day, could be crucial but getting a result at Sunderland on Friday would help alleviate a lot of stress for Vitor Pereira’s side before the remainder of the run-in.
