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Andre Villas-Boas predicts "passionate" North London derby

Villas-Boas predicts
© PA Photos
Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas believes that the importance of Sunday's North London derby will ensure that the match is a "passionate" encounter.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas has declared that the atmosphere in Sunday's North London derby will be amplified by the importance of gaining a positive result.

Spurs moved four points clear of Arsenal last night by claiming a 3-2 victory over West Ham United in dramatic circumstances.

Villas-Boas believes that beating the Gunners at White Hart Lane this weekend will serve as a crucial step in securing Champions League football at the expense of their local rivals.

He told BBC Sport: "The North London derby is going to be very passionate, and if we can put Arsenal seven points away it will be a big step for us.

"We know we need a bigger gap than at the moment to keep them away. Nothing will be decided because anything can happen in this league but it will be important."

Spurs moved above Chelsea to third in the Premier League table with Gareth Bale's late winner against the Hammers.

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West Ham manager Sam Allardyce prior to kick-off against Aston Villa on February 10, 2013
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool17133140172342
2Arsenal18106235161936
3Chelsea18105338211735
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1810442419534
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle188553021929
6Bournemouth188552721629
7Manchester CityMan City188463026428
8Fulham187742623328
9Aston Villa188462629-328
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton186842726126
11Brentford187383232024
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1872939261323
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham186572330-723
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd186482124-322
15Everton173861522-717
16Crystal Palace183871826-817
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1843112940-1115
18Leicester CityLeicester1835102240-1814
19Ipswich TownIpswich1826101633-1712
20Southampton1813141137-266


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