Arsenal will look to keep that top-four spot their own with a victory over Crystal Palace in the English Premier League on Saturday.
Arsene Wenger's men, apart from that poor performance against Tottenham a couple of weeks ago, have been in stellar form in league and cup, and the team from North London will want to add another three points with victory at Selhurst Park.
"There's a good understanding and collective desire, and that unity will be key for us," said Wenger. "We know we are in front of three important months in our lives and we want to commit to doing well."
Victory over Crystal Palace will be far from easy, however, as the Londoners have been galvanised ever since the appointment of Alan Pardew as their manager.
While those early manager-change results have tempered down a little bit, there is still a sense of real optimism at Palace, and a victory over high-flying Arsenal will only increase that feel-good feeling.
"You always relish challenging the big side and they are a massive club, great history," Pardew said. "Of course, the style that they play gives you a certain problem and you have to make a call as to what you are going to do.
"They can expose you, first half, three years ago at Newcastle we absolutely got the run around but second half we turned it around dramatically. You have to accept the challenge of what they bring and if you're half-hearted in that challenge you are going to get found out.
"Of course, there are other games that I have absolutely suffered, losing 7-3 at the Emirates springs to mind. I have been embarrassed as well, I have had good days and bad days too, but none of that enters my focus this weekend. It is always a new game."
For Wenger and Arsenal it will be about doing the right things that they have done more often of late. If their attacking clicks, especially with the defence looking a lot more assured, then a positive result should be in order.
"It's always very intense and it is a very dynamic ground," said Wenger. "It's a bit like Highbury as an old-fashioned stadium with a soul and it has a crowd that is always behind their team. We expect a passionate afternoon.
"Alan Pardew has done extremely well. They have found confidence again and they made positive results and that is what it is about when you are a manager."
Where to Watch Live
The English Premier League game is scheduled for an 8.30 pm IST (3 pm GMT, 10 am ET) start with live coverage in India on Star Sports 2 in India. The match can also be watched via live streaming online in India on StarSports.com.
There will be no live match coverage in the UK. Catch the game live in the US on NBC Sports, while the action can also be live streamed online on NBC Sports Extra.
Audience in the Middle East and North Africa can watch the game via live streaming online on Bein Sports Connect, while South Africa and Sub Saharan Africa viewers can do the same on SuperSport online.
Australia viewers can watch the game on Fox Sports and live stream it Fox Sports On Demand,
