Premier League: Tottenham still have to prove they're serious about the Champions League

Mauricio Pochettino's Spurs are in a good run of form

Andy Brassell looks at Spurs' recent form and ponders their chances of finishing in the Champions League positions this season...

The euphoria surrounding Saturday's north London derby win hasn't really died down yet for Tottenham and their fans, and who can blame them? It's not that often that a team manages an authoritative performance and a win of such a dramatic nature in the same match, but that's what Spurs did on Saturday lunchtime. In the context of Harry Kane's current untouchable form, it's entirely understandable that it feels like the sky's the limit.

The market, however, has not been so quick to respond to Spurs' newfound belief in returning to the Champions League. They are currently sixth favourites at 4.216/5, behind the obvious choices of Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United, but also trailing the vanquished Arsenal and dark horses Southampton, with the lingering feeling that the latter will fade not going away just yet.

Mauricio Pochettino will hope, on the other hand, that his side is gathering momentum at the right time. The current sequence of two defeats in Spurs' last 15 matches in all competitions, incorporating ten wins, backs that up. They aren't totally reliant on Kane for goals either - despite what the headlines might suggest - with Christian Eriksen and the born-again Nacer Chadli also chipping in. 

The new coach's work is highly impressive and in a season that seemed in the early weeks as if it would be painfully transitional, it is quite remarkable that Tottenham stand on the brink of tangible reward, sat in the European places and in the Capital One Cup final (not to mention their continuing participation in the Europa League). 

It is perhaps that level of output, however, that leaves a question mark against Spurs' ambitions to snare a Champions League place for only the second time. It looks suspiciously like Pochettino is getting the absolute maximum out of a team that is only just taking shape, and a set of players that don't (on paper, at least) look naturals for the top four - which, of course, they're not inside just yet. If that's the case, what right have we got to expect more from them?

There is the danger of simply defining Tottenham through their latest, greatest and most memorable deed. Yes, they did boss Arsenal. To take this to mean that having beaten Champions League perennials (albeit having beaten them well), Spurs are on their level in terms of quality and preparedness, is extremely flawed logic. This is without even considering the gulf in experience of a European chase situation between the two teams, and the fact Spurs will have played at least 57 matches by the season's end. Should they progress in the Europa League, they could play as many as 64. 

With all that said, Tottenham's present form really has to be a consideration going into tonight's game at Liverpool, a side against which they have a shaky recent record (four losses in the last five meetings). Their price of 4.57/2 to win is a long one, as is the draw at 3.9n/a, especially given that Liverpool have drawn five of their 12 home games while Spurs have 20 points already from away games. Only Chelsea, City and Southampton have taken more points on the road. 

A positive result at Anfield would go a long way to convincing the world at large that Pochettino and company can be considered a serious threat to the top four - but even if you don't think they can make it, they couldn't be any more ready to avenge The Reds' comfy late August win at White Hart Lane as they go into this one.