Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur
Date: 29/11/2020
K/O: 20:00
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Referee: Paul Tierney
TV: Sky Sports
Third plays first as Chelsea welcome Spurs to Stamford Bridge, with both sides looking to confirm themselves as title challengers with a statement win.
Spurs are currently top having won their last four and are unbeaten domestically since the opening day. Chelsea have won their last three and have also lost just once, at Anfield in gameweek two.
Both sides earned impressive wins in Europe in midweek, the Blues sealing their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League and Spurs taking a step closer to the knockout stages of the Europa League.
Chelsea kept largely the same lineup that defeated Newcastle on Saturday, while Spurs made 10 changes from their emphatic victory over Manchester City.
Team News
Chelsea
The Blues could welcome back Christian Pulisic and have a fully fit squad to choose from for the visit of Spurs. Edouard Mendy will keep his place in goal ahead of Kepa Arrizabalaga.
For the trip to Rennes on Tuesday, Thiago Silva and César Azpilicueta replaced Antonio Rüdiger and Reece James at centre back and right back in Chelsea’s starting XI. Frank Lampard will likely choose his strongest back four for Sunday, which would see Silva line up alongside Kurt Zouma in the centre with Reece James and Ben Chilwell either side.
If Chelsea continue to line up in a 4-3-3 formation, the midfield three will likely comprise of either Jorginho, N’Golo Kanté, Mateo Kovačić or Mason Mount. Alternatively, Lampard could line up in a 4-2-3-1 set up, which would likely see two of those start behind Kai Havertz.
Hakim Ziyech has impressed since breaking into the side and will surely start on the right, having featured only as a late substitute on Tuesday. Havertz, Pulisic and Mount remain options on the left-hand side, though Timo Werner looks to have established himself in that role with Tammy Abraham through the middle.
Spurs
The Whites are without Toby Alderweireld following his groin injury against Manchester City, though the setback is not as bad as originally feared. His absence opens the door for the likes of Davinson Sánchez or Joe Rodon to partner Eric Dier in the centre of defence, with Japhet Tanganga unlikely to start a second game in four days having only just returned against Ludogorets in midweek.
Sergio Reguilón and Serge Aurier both sat out the fixture on Thursday and are in prime position to start as full-backs on Sunday, though Ben Davies and Matt Doherty remain available for selection.
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg has played every minute of Spurs’ league campaign so far and will anchor the midfield once again, likely partnered by the established unit of Moussa Sissoko and Tanguy Ndombele.
José Mourinho confirmed earlier this week that Erik Lamela would not be ready to face Chelsea, though Harry Winks made his return to action on Thursday. Forgotten men Dele Alli and Gedson Fernandes are also available, while Steven Bergwijn, Hugo Lloris and Giovani Lo Celso are expected to overcome knocks.
Harry Kane and Heung-min Son will return to spearhead the Spurs attack alongside one of Steven Bergwijn, Gareth Bale or Lucas Moura. Carlos Vinicius scored his first goals for the club against Ludogorets and will offer cover for Harry Kane from the bench.
Records
- All-time H2H: Chelsea 72-55 Spurs (40 Draws, penalty shootout wins counted as wins)
- Last 10 H2H: Chelsea 6-4 Spurs (penalty shootout wins counted as wins)
- Spurs have only won only one of their 28 Premier League matches at Stamford Bridge, defeating Antonio Conte’s Blues 3-1 in April 2018.
- Edouard Mendy has conceded two goals in his nine appearances for Chelsea.
- Spurs are the only side yet to concede 10 Premier League goals this season (9).
Predicted Starting XIs
Chelsea (4-3-3): Mendy; James, Silva, Zouma, Chilwell; Kanté, Jorginho, Mount; Ziyech, Abraham, Werner.
Spurs (4-3-3): Lloris; Aurier, Dier, Sánchez, Reguilón; Højbjerg, Ndombele, Sissoko; Bergwijn, Son, Kane.
Prediction: Chelsea 1-1 Spurs
The master vs the apprentice, this fixture pits together two of the most in-form teams in Europe right now. Both sides look rock solid at the back and always capable of scoring. Chelsea had the better of Spurs last season but José Mourinho appears to have changed the atmosphere at the club and I can see them taking a share of the spoils on this occasion.
