At the start of this season, both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United would have been considered as Premier League title contenders.
Spurs boss, Ange Postecoglou, had bragged that he was always wins things in second season.
In his first season, Postecoglou enjoyed an impressive start, although they fell off in the latter part of the season. But he must have believed he had learnt his lessons to perform better.
This campaign has been worse.
Ahead of Manchester United’s visit this Sunday, Tottenham sit in 15th place and 10 points off the last relegation spot.
Their opponents are not faring better either.
United began the season as FA Cup champions, after beating Manchester City 2-1 in the final. The result was enough for the owners to stick with Erik ten Hag as manager.
But the Dutchman was eventually replaced by Ruben Amorim during the November international break.
Amorim has apparently not fared better than Ten Hag, with the Red Devils in 14th place, following Everton’s victory at Crystal Palace.
United are on course for their worst league finish since 1990, while Tottenham have lost half their league games for the first time at this stage of a campaign since they were last relegated in 1977, prompting fears they could meet the same fate.
Before their arrival in England, both Postecoglou and Amorim achieved fine success with Celtic and Sporting respectively. But they are finding life harder in the Premier League.
Spurs have been hampered mostly by injuries this season, while United are still grappling with the demands of Amorim’s beloved 3-4-3 tactical system.
This is one game neither manager wants to lose.
And it could indeed be a season-defining fixture for one of these teams.
