The rescheduling of a potentially season-defining north London derby has been compared to last year's Formula 1 finale.

It is understood Tottenham vs Arsenal, which was controversially postponed earlier this term due to COVID, will now take place in the penultimate gameweek of the campaign.

Fourth-place Arsenal are currently three-points clear of Spurs with a game in hand

With the two rivals currently locked in a race for Champions League qualification, it has the potential to be a winner-takes-all, top-four decider on the week beginning May 9.

And ex-Spurs midfielder Jamie O'Hara believes the Premier League have 'manipulated' the fixture list to maximise the drama of the clash.

According to the Daily Mail, pressure was applied from TV broadcasters to reschedule the match in a way that would draw the most eyes.

O'Hara has compared the situation to last season's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, when Max Verstappen was controversially given the opportunity to overtake Lewis Hamilton and seize the title on the final lap of the race.

"It's like a Formula 1 moment," O'Hara told the Sports Bar on talkSPORT.

"You think about last season, the Hamilton and Verstappen moment, when they manipulated the race to make it brilliant for the public to watch.

Hamilton and Verstappen's rivalry has captivated F1 fans

"But actually, it was unfair on Hamilton. Is that what we're going to start seeing [in football] now?

"Manipulating the fixtures because they go, 'That will be brilliant for the viewing public, we'll get increased viewing figures, who cares what the clubs think!'

"As a Spurs fan, I'm actually quite happy about it, because it gives us a chance to pile some pressure on Arsenal, go into the last week of the season, and have a huge fixture.

"It'll probably be midweek, under the lights, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. But I understand the Premier League are manipulating this fixture for the drama - is that right?"

However, co-host Jason Cundy insists neither club can complain about the timing of the rescheduled fixture and defended organisers for prioritising entertainment value.

Cundy told talkSPORT: "If you're the Premier League, you want to maximise a game like this.

Tottenham were beaten 3-1 by Arsenal earlier this season

"Potentially, you're looking at one of the biggest games of the season and one of the biggest north London derbies we've seen in years.

"Why wouldn't you maximise viewing audiences, the interest in the game?

"Neither team have Europe [to deal with], they've had loads of time off, there can be no complaints.

"I understand completely why they've done it and I would've done the same."