Currently in 12th position and five points off the top eight, realistically Connacht need to target 15 points from their final three regular season URC games.
The last two are against Edinburgh at the Dexcom Stadium and away to Zebre - two very winnable games - but the acid test could come against the Lions, after last week's near-miss in the first game of their South Africa against the Stormers.
The home side are out of the running for the play-offs but Connacht will have to deal with a team trying to avoid losing twice in a week at home - and also deal with the high altitude factor.
"I think you have to have a process to everything you do, to be fair, and it's game by game," said Tucker. "The Lions, the altitude, will pose a different challenge to us.
"We have to stick to our systems and our structures in attack. The players have been very, very good this season, staying on script to our plan has served us best this season and that's what we'll do again this week.
"The Lions are wounded but, by the same token, they gave us a good lesson in the Sportsground last year so we have to make sure that hurt is still showing as well.
"They're an excellent side. Last year they were close on a lot of occasions, this year they have some brilliant individual players. So it's going to be a very, very tough game but they'll come out smarting after losing last week at home."
Where is the game on?
The match will be played at Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
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What time is kick-off?
The match kicks off at 3pm on Saturday
What TV channel is it on?
It will be shown live on TG4 and Premier Sports, and will be streamed live on URC.tv
Betting odds
Lions to win 2/5, Connacht to win 2/1, the draw is 17/1
Changes
Tucker has made six changes from the side that lost in Cape Town and is boosted by the return of Shayne Bolton from injury, with the South African lining out on the right wing.
Hugh Gavin is also back in the squad after injury but is named on the bench. Scrum-half Matthew Devine, hooker Dave Heffernan, locks Josh Murphy and Joe Joyce and No.8 Sean Jansen also return, with Jack Carty continuing at out-half.
Tucker was fulsome in his praise of Carty's contribution last weekend. He added: "The mood was excellent this week and, to be honest, I think the attitude has been brilliant all the time, I wouldn't question that of any of them.
"We've a good work ethic in the camp at the moment and everyone's looking forward to the weekend. I hope the belief I have in the lads will mean we get the victories we deserve."
Connacht: Piers O'Conor; Shayne Bolton, David Hawkshaw, Cathal Forde, Shane Jennings; Jack Carty, Matthew Devine; Peter Dooley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham; Josh Murphy, Joe Joyce; Cian Prendergast (capt), Conor Oliver, Sean Jansen.
Replacements: Eoin de Buitléar, Jordan Duggan, Sam Illo, Oisin Dowling, Paul Boyle, Colm Reilly, Hugh Gavin, Santiago Cordero.
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