Tottenham are heading towards the busy Christmas period in fifth position in the Premier League table, as well as already knowing they won’t be qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League.

It has been a disappointing last few weeks for Spurs, but the congested festive period will give them the opportunity to pick up points in the league as they look to get their title hopes back on track.

Mauricio Pochettino’s men currently sit seven points behind the side at the summit – London rivals Chelsea – having lost 2-1 to the Blues at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, which was their first top-flight defeat of the campaign.

Meanwhile, having lost both of their Group E home fixtures at Wembley – as  well as away in Monaco last time out – advancing to the Europa League is now the best they can hope for.

Here are FIVE things that will be on Mauricio Pochettino’s Xmas wishlist…

Ability to turn draws into wins

Tottenham have only tasted success once in their last ten matches in all competitions – with five of those results being draws – and Pochettino will be hoping they can turn some of those level scores into wins over the festive period as Spurs look to put themselves back in contention for the Premier League title.

The Argentine boss would have been particularly disappointed at only taking a point apiece in the fixtures against Bournemouth and Leicester in October, but his side can put that right with some winnable matches in December.

Europa League football

After losing three of their five Champions League fixtures this term – including both of their matches at Wembley – Spurs know that they can’t qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League.

However, Pochettino’s men are in pole position to finish third and advance to the Europa League, and while it might not be the most attractive competition, they will be aware that if they win it they will automatically be in the Champions League group stages next season, which takes off some pressure of achieving a top four finish in the Premier League.

A fit Harry Kane

Spurs’ talisman missed six weeks of the season with an ankle injury between September and the start of November, and despite Heung-min Son and Vincent Janssen filling in, they didn’t look nearly as potent as they do with Kane up top.

Since his return, the England international has scored four goals in four appearances including the equaliser in the 1-1 draw with north London rivals Arsenal, and two in the 3-2 win against West Ham at White Hart Lane, and Pochettino will want to keep his star man fit for the festive period.

Toby Alderweireld back and ready to go

The Belgian has been one of Tottenham’s best players since joining them from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2015, but the dependable centre-back has been on the sidelines for six weeks after picking up an injury in the 1-1 draw with West Brom at White Hart Lane.

Spurs have missed the composure and quality on the ball that Alderweireld brings, and Pochettino will be delighted that the defender is due to return to action this weekend.

His side to take advantage of favourable fixtures

After picking up just one win in their last ten fixtures in all competitions, Pochettino will be hoping that his side can finally pick up some successes from a favourable run of games on paper.

Four of his side’s next five matches are at White Hart Lane, and with that run including home matches against Swansea, Hull and Burnley, he will be confident that the team can put a winning sequence together as they look to stay in contention at the top of the table.