Unlike the international friendlies that captured the the attention of the masses ahead of the European Championships in France, there is no time for experimentation.
We head into the final stretch now, seven games (give or take) stand in the way of Premier League success and the crushing reality of life in the Championship, depending on what end of the spectrum you find yourself in.
Everton face daunting trip to Old Trafford
Everton will need an excellent run of form if they are aiming for a top six finish, so a place in the Europa League may feel like success for Roberto Martinez.
They travel to Old Trafford this Sunday with history certainly not on their side. The Toffees have only won twice there in the last 24 years, the most recent of which was their victory over David Moyes' Manchester United in 2013.
Louis van Gaal's side will take inspiration from their 1-0 away win over their City counterparts and look to complete the league double over Everton for the first time since the 2007/08 season where Fergie's men produced a 2-1 win at home and a slender 1-0 win at Goodison Park.
United could take a massive step towards a top four berth with victory over Everton.
Home comforts for Norwich City ahead of six-pointer
An unlikely away win to in-form West Brom was exactly what Norwich City needed heading into Saturday's relegation six-pointer against Newcastle.
Rafa Benitez's side travel to Carrow Road, where Norwich have picked up 17 of their 28 points this season including, four wins, five draws and six losses.
Compare this to the 11 defeats Alex Neil's side have suffered on the road, the most unceremonious of which was a 6-2 reverse at St James' Park.
Benitez is still searching for his first win in charge of Newcastle, after last week's draw with Sunderland, but is unlikely to find it here.
Norwich have picked up more than half of their total points in the league at home this season.
Leicester look upon familiar form to march past Saints
The lead is five points. Leicester look inspired. Their blip against Arsenal appeared to be just that, considering they've won four of their last five games and the remaining fixture in that batch was a 2-2 draw with West Brom.
In fact, Leicester have won seven of their last nine games in the Premier League, the exact same run which saw them avoid the drop at the end of last season.
Southampton, meanwhile, can boast victories over rivals Stoke and Liverpool in their last two games and a win may see them join the face for the top four.
Nigel Pearson's heroics last season saved Leicester from relegation, could Claudio Ranieri's achievement be even greater?
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