Tottenham vs. Norwich City: Spurs' Champions League Bid on Life Support

Tottenham's Premier League campaign has taken yet another nasty turn.

In a match of utmost importance, Spurs failed to get the job done, falling 2-1 to Norwich City at White Hart Lane.

The home side may have had more of the ball and may have looked dangerous (just look at Gareth Bale's strike off the crossbar just prior to the winning goal), but it is hard to begrudge Norwich this deserved victory.

So what does that mean for Spurs' Champions League bid?

As of this moment, Tottenham sits in fourth in the league, two points behind Arsenal (though the Gunners have a match in hand). Given the two clubs' recent forms, it may be safe to write off Spurs' hopes for finishing third.

Further, Tottenham is level on points with Newcastle, ahead of the Toon only on goal differential.

However, Chelsea could join the two clubs at 59 points by the end of the nigh. In fact, if the Blues defeat Fulham by any scoreline other than 1-0 or 2-1, Tottenham will drop out of the Champions League positions for the first time since November.

Now, looking past form, Spurs would have to be the favorites to nab the fourth and final Champions League spot.

After all, Chelsea still has a match with red-hot Arsenal and the distraction of Barcelona in the Champions League semis, Newcastle still has a desperate Manchester City and they also have a match with each other.

Meanwhile, Tottenham has a comparably easy schedule (@QPR, Blackburn, @Bolton, @Villa, Fulham), with the only caveat being that most of their opponents are fighting to stay of the relegation zone.

However, form is a very strong argument against Tottenham.

While they have picked up only six points in their last eight Premier League matches, Chelsea has been in hot form under new manager Roberto di Matteo, and Newcastle have gone on a five-match winning streak.

Suddenly, it is hard to imagine Spurs going on to take the final Champions League spot—a notion that was unthinkable just a few short months ago.

Missing out on the Champions League could be lethal for Spurs, as the future of Redknapp, Bale, Modric and many others is still uncertain.

Some heroics are needed for Tottenham to snap out of their Premier League funk and to save their season and, with it, their future. With only five matches remaining, though, such a turnaround may not be possible.

Tottenham supporters will just have to watch these final matches with baited breath and hope for a savior to emerge.

Where's Peter Crouch when you need him?