Pablo Zabaleta is under no illusions about what a win over Spurs would mean for Manchester City.

Three points would sees the Blues get their noses ahead in the race for a Champions League spot over their rivals from north London, and the affable Argentinean is relishing the task in hand.

“Everything at the moment is exciting, for the players, the fans and everybody who works at the club,” the 23-year-old admits.

If we win we have a great chance to play in the Champions League next season, and for the club that would be a huge step forwards, so we are all really looking forward to tomorrow.

...Pablo on the Spurs showdown

“It’s a big game, the most important one of the season for us to decide if we get into the Champions League next season, and of course it’s the same for Spurs, so it should be a great night. I think we’ll enjoy it but in our mind we know that we have to win it.”

It’s sure to be an evening where hearts will be in mouths on both sides, but for the versatile former Espanyol man having a steely resolve will be crucial to achieving City’s goals.

“We have some very experienced players here but we will have to be mentally very strong,” he adds. “We need to prepare for it the right way even a day ahead of the game by training really hard.

“We will have to be very strong in our minds but we have to be positive as well. It should be a great game, but we’re at home and that’s an important thing for us. We’re good at home in front of our own supporters and I hope that it will be a great night for them, but it is up to us to make it that way.

“The supporters can make such a big difference in games like this, we have seen it in the big games at home this season like against Chelsea, Arsenal and United. They have been fantastic to us and they will be very important against Spurs.

“The game on Wednesday will decide a lot of things so we must be positive, have a strong mentality and do everything we can to win.”