Sunday’s clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium promises a fiery London derby as Tottenham Hotspur host Chelsea in the Premier League.
Chelsea head into the encounter in exceptional form, having won all four of their games since the November international break, including league victories against Leicester City, Aston Villa, and Southampton.
A win here would not only extend their streak but also pile pressure on league leaders Liverpool, who are currently seven points ahead but idle this weekend.
Tottenham, on the other hand, have struggled to maintain momentum despite a statement win over Manchester City weeks ago.
Recent draws against Roma and Fulham at home were followed by a disappointing loss to Bournemouth, leaving Ange Postecoglou under scrutiny as fans grow restless.
Head-to-Head Stats:
- Chelsea lead the historic rivalry with 79 wins in 177 matches.
- Tottenham have managed just one victory in their last 11 league meetings with Chelsea, a 2-0 triumph in February 2023.
- Chelsea have enjoyed success at this venue, winning four of their last five league games here, making them favorites once again.
- Chelsea have scored 116 Premier League goals against Spurs, more than against any other team.
Team News:
Tottenham:
The hosts face an injury crisis in defense. Ben Davies, who had stepped in for the injured Micky van de Ven, is now sidelined after a leg injury sustained midweek.
Cristian Romero’s potential return to the lineup offers some hope, but he may need to be rushed back into action.
Guglielmo Vicario remains out, with Fraser Forster set to deputize in goal.
Rodrigo Bentancur continues his domestic suspension, and attackers Wilson Odobert, Richarlison, and Mikey Moore remain unavailable.
Chelsea:
Chelsea enjoy a much healthier squad. However, Reece James, Wesley Fofana, and Omari Kellyman are sidelined with hamstring issues, while Mykhailo Mudryk is out due to illness.
Despite these setbacks, Enzo Maresca has a deep pool of talent to rotate as needed.
Nicolas Jackson, who was rested in their 5-1 midweek victory, is expected to lead the line after a sensational start to the season. Levi Colwill and Robert Sanchez are also likely to return to the starting XI, reinforcing the team’s structure.
Players to Watch:
- Tottenham: Dejan Kulusevski is the creative spark, with five assists in his last eight games. He’ll aim to score again, having opened the scoring in this fixture last season.
- Chelsea: Noni Madueke is a standout for the Blues, with four of his last five league goals coming in away matches, making him a key threat on the break.
Predicted Lineups:
- Tottenham (4-3-3): Forster; Porro, Romero, Dragusin, Udogie; Kulusevski, Bissouma, Sarr; Johnson, Solanke, Son.
- Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson.
Chelsea’s form and dominance in this fixture place them as slight favorites, but Spurs will be desperate to bounce back and defend their home turf in what promises to be a closely fought battle.
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Time: 17:30
Referee: Anthony Taylor
VAR: Jarred Gillett
Date: 08-12-2024
