Tottenham will extend their trophyless streak to 15 years this campaign, but can at least fully concentrate on their push for Champions League qualification.
It is an oft-used cliche that teams can focus on their league form after enduring cup disappointments, like the ones Spurs suffered at the hands of Middlesbrough and Chelsea domestically, plus in their Covid-related exit from the Europa Conference League.
But, under Antonio Conte, the numbers really do show just how much the team has struggled when the fixtures pile up.
When the Italian coach has been given five or more days on the training pitch before a match, he has a near-flawless record. In seven such games, he has six wins.
That includes a shock 3-2 victory at Manchester City and a stirring performance in the 2-2 draw at home with Liverpool in December.
On the flipside, the last eight games in which Tottenham have had four or fewer days to prepare, their record stands at six defeats and two wins (which came against dismal Leeds and Everton teams).
The run highlights the inconsistency that has plagued Spurs under Conte, with the team failing to score in five of those seven games.
But, if the current key to their success is extra time to work on their tactics and recover from the high-demand game of their manager, then Spurs can take heart ahead of the run-in.
As things stand, only two more midweek games are due to be played - away to Brighton next week and a rearranged north London derby against Arsenal.
Following the 5-0 win over Everton on Monday, Tottenham are three points behind the fourth-placed Gunners but have played a game more, and sit in seventh place.
