CHELSEA will need to overcome rivals Tottenham in their next Premier League game if they’re to take command of their season again.
The Blues have picked up just two points from their last 12 and are seeing the teams below them gain points on them with games in hand.
- Start time: 4.30 GMT
- TV/Live stream: Sky Sports Premier League
- Chelsea XI: 1 Kepa; 28 Azpilicueta, 6 Thiago Silva, 2 Rudiger, 31 Sarr; 8 Kovacic, 5 Jorginho; 22 Ziyech, 19 Mount; 29 Hudson-Odoi, 9 Lukaku
- Tottenham XI: 1 Lloris; 25 Tanganga, 6 Sanchez, 15 Dier, 33 Davies; 2 Doherty, 5 Hojbjerg, 8 Winks, 19 Sessegnon; 23 Bergwijn, 10 Kane
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Tale of two stuttering strikers
Romelu Lukaku and Harry Kane both start this afternoon for their respective clubs with each looking to add to their tally of five Premier League goals this season.
The two international stars were expected to be among the top scorers come this stage of the campaign, but have instead endured a difficult few months – albeit for different reasons.
Kane has shown signs of a resurgence in recent weeks, while Lukaku has much to do to regain favour with the Stamford Bridge faithful. Can either make their mark today?
On the Spurs substitutes’ bench
22 Gollini, 3 Reguilon, 11 Gil, 12 Emerson, 14 Rodon, 27 Lucas Moura, 29 Skipp, 42 White, 44 Scarlett
On the Chelsea substitutes’ bench
13 Bettinelli, 3 Alonso, 7 Kante, 10 Pulisic, 11 Werner, 14 Chalobah, 17 Saul, 18 Barkley, 29 Havertz
Tottenham XI – Bergwijn comes in
It’s four changes for Antonio Conte, who names something of a surprising starting line-up. Emerson Royal, Oliver Skipp Sergio Reguilon and Lucas Moura all drop to the bench as Matt Doherty, Eric Dier, Steven Bergwijn and Ryan Sessegnon come in. It appears as though Doherty and Ben Davies will operate as wing-backs while Bergwijn and Ryan Sessegnon make up a front three with Harry Kane. Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, fresh from signing a new contract, captains a team that is expected to line up in a 3-4-3 shape.
1 Lloris; 6 Sanchez, 15 Dier, 25 Tanganga; 2 Doherty, 8 Winks, 5 Hojbjerg, 33 Davies; 23 Bergwijn, 10 Kane, 19 Sessegnon
Chelsea starting XI – Lukaku starts
Thomas Tuchel makes two changes to his Chelsea side that stuttered to another draw at Brighton on Tuesday. Marcos Alonso and N’Golo Kante drop to the bench to allow for the return of Malang Sarr and Mateo Kovacic. The German coach continues with the 4-2-2-2 shape he has been using which sees Callum Hudson-Odoi fielded in a forward role off Romelu Lukaku. Kepa continues in goal with Edouard Mendy still at the African Cup of Nations.
1 Kepa; 28 Azpilicueta, 6 Thiago Silva, 2 Rudiger, 31 Sarr; 8 Kovacic, 5 Jorginho; 22 Ziyech, 19 Mount; 29 Hudson-Odoi, 9 Lukaku
Chelsea dominant in Spurs rivalry
No matter their own form, or any crisis engulfing the club, Chelsea can always rely on Tottenham to steer them back on course.
That’s the rather confident views of many Blues fans, and, from one look at the head-to-head records, it’s easy to see why.
The Stamford Bridge side are unbeaten in their last six Premier League matches with Spurs, winning five while keeping five clean sheets.
Indeed, Thomas Tuchel has yet to see his side concede a goal to Tottenham in the four games he has overseen as head coach with Chelsea coming out on top by a 7-0 aggregate scoreline.
But Spurs’ hoodoo goes back further than that. The Lilywhites have won only seven of 59 meetings in the Premier League area, and just one of the last 36 away matches at Stamford Bridge.
Where the sides currently stand
Five points clear in a three-horse title race just weeks ago, Chelsea now find themselves 13 points off the pace and in third place.
Spurs, meanwhile, have catapulted themselves back into the fight for the top four, and find themselves unbeaten in Antonio Conte’s nine games in charge of the club.
This afternoon’s fixtures could play a pivotal part in both clubs’ fortunes come the end of the season.
- Arsenal 0-0 Burnley LS
- Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool LS
- Leicester 1-0 Brighton LS
- Chelsea v Spurs 4.30pm
Chelsea and Tottenham battle for striker
Chelsea and Tottenham meet on the pitch today, and they are also battling off it for Lille striker Jonathan David this summer.
The striker has been linked with some of Europe’s other big hitters, like Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Real Madrid.
However, the Canada international is not looking to leave the French champions in January.
But a summer move is becoming increasingly likely, even though the 22-year-old hasn’t narrowed a list of his preferred destinations.
David’s agent Nick Mavromaras hinted that his client could only be convinced to join a new club with an attractive “project”.
Mavromaras recently said: “The questions that we ask clubs are simple: What’s the project [club ambition]?
“There are a lot of questions that we go through when we meet with a club, and the one that checks the most boxes will be the one that will be [David’s] next destination.”
Blues odds on for victory
It may be no win in four league games for Chelsea, but that hasn’t stopped the bookies from making the European champions odds on to see off Tottenham once again.
- Chelsea win 3/4
- Draw 27/10
- Spurs win 15/4
Odds from Betfair correct at the time of publication.
Rivals reunite at Stamford Bridge
Good afternoon and welcome to South-West London for our live coverage of the Premier League encounter between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.
Blues fans have watched their title challenge collapse in recent weeks, but there’s nothing like a capital clash with their rivals to reignite passions.
So solid for so long, Thomas Tuchel’s team are now having to deal with defensive issues following a spate of injuries and first-choice goalkeeper Edouard Mendy at AFCON.
It’s only one win in seven for the stuttering European champions, and just two clean sheets in the past 13 league games – which is why a visit from Tottenham may be exactly what the doctor ordered, considering the North London side haven’t scored against them in the past five meetings.
Yet perhaps Spurs have finally found some spirit of their own. Their dramatic stoppage time success at Leicester in midweek again suggested that Antonio Conte’s side may be made of stronger stuff
Steven Bergwijn’s heroics off the bench could be rewarded with a start, particularly in the continued absence of Son Heung-min, while Eric Dier is expected back after three weeks out.
Spurs are still unbeaten in the Premier League since Conte took charge, but the Italian did suffer Capital One Cup semi-final disappointment over two feeble legs against his former club earlier this month. Is today the time to put it right?
It’s all set for a 4.30pm start at the Bridge, and we’ll soon have confirmation of the two teams as we build up to kick-off.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
