Having trailed Premier League leaders Manchester United by seven points as recently as January 18, Manchester City can cut the gap to just two points with victory at Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday.
United would be able to restore their advantage by beating Southampton on Wednesday, but City's trip to the league's bottom club gives them an opportunity to inject tension into a title race that had looked set to become a procession.
City won 1-0 at Stoke City on Saturday to reach the fifth round of the FA Cup, but victory came at a cost as captain Vincent Kompany was forced off in the first half with a calf injury.
The English champions have ruled Kompany out of the trip to QPR, leaving manager Roberto Mancini with Matija Nastasic and Joleon Lescott as his only available senior centre-backs.
City overcame Stoke through an 85th-minute strike from right-back Pablo Zabaleta, whose thoughts quickly switched to the opportunity to make ground on United.
"We won the FA Cup two years ago and we want to win it again but now we will focus on Tuesday night and QPR because we want to keep winning and hopefully catch Man United," said the Argentine.
QPR's season met with further embarrassment on Saturday when they lost 4-2 at home to Milton Keynes Dons of third-tier League One to go out of the FA Cup.
The London club are five points adrift of safety with 15 games remaining and manager Harry Redknapp will recall his most important players for City's visit after making nine changes against MK Dons.
United will watch Tuesday's encounter at Loftus Road with interest, as they embark upon a period of matches that could define their season.
Alex Ferguson's men swept past Fulham 4-1 in the FA Cup on Saturday and with a Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid looming into view, thoughts are turning to a repeat of their 1998-99 Treble.
"The most important thing for me right now is to win the treble," said Mexican striker Javier Hernandez, scorer of a brace against Fulham.
"We have a chance in the FA Cup and now we have two games in the league. After that there is the international break, another league game and then Real Madrid, so we have a very good calendar and we are looking forward to it."
Third-place Chelsea will hope to put two damaging cup results behind them when they visit improving Reading on Wednesday.
The European champions went out of the League Cup after drawing 0-0 at Swansea City on Wednesday, before a late Fernando Torres equaliser was required to snatch a 2-2 draw at third-tier Brentford in the FA Cup on Sunday.
The setbacks have only served to increase the unpopularity of interim Blues coach Rafael Benitez, but he said his side's second-half reaction at Griffin Park augured well.
"In the second half we showed our real level, like we did last week against Arsenal," he said.
"Oscar and Fernando scored great goals, and it was because the team were doing well and we were creating things. If we do that, Fernando, Demba (Ba), Oscar and (Juan) Mata will all score goals."
Another team smarting from an FA Cup embarrassment are Liverpool, who belied a recent upturn in their league form by losing 3-2 at third-tier Oldham Athletic in the fourth round on Sunday.
On Wednesday they travel to Arsenal, one position above them in the table in sixth place, with both sides desperate to close the gap that separates them from the Champions League places.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, whose side edged second-tier Brighton and Hove Albion 3-2 in the FA Cup on Saturday, says the fixture congestion means he has no choice but to rotate his side.
"We play against Liverpool on Wednesday, Stoke on Saturday and then the players go away for international games," he said.
"You have to rotate knowing that if it doesn't work, you will be accused of having made the wrong decision."
AFP
Mon Jan 28 2013
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.