Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea
Date: 24/11/2018
K/O: 17:30
Venue: Wembley Stadium
TV: BT Sport
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Two of London’s biggest clubs clash this weekend in a fixture that could change the top of the Premier League table. Will Chelsea continue their unbeaten run and keep pace with Liverpool and City? Or will Tottenham leapfrog them and show their credentials as title challengers?
The prospect of this game has Premier League fans salivating. Tottenham are looking for their seventh win from eight Premier League games whilst Chelsea are yet to lose so far this season.
Both teams have fairly good records against the other. Chelsea having prevented Spurs from racking up two consecutive league wins over them since 1987. For their part, Spurs’ mercurial attacker Dele Alli has scored five in his last four against Chelsea.
One thing is for sure, if both squads have players rested and fit after the international break then this game is the perfect way to spend your Saturday afternoon. It will be close and dramatic, lets hope Wembley provides the appropriate atmosphere for such a big fixture.
Team News
Spurs have two starters definitely out with Mousa Dembele and Jan Vertonghen set for spells on the sidelines. At the same time, Davinson Sanchez and Kieran Trippier are both concerns but look likely to play.
Dembele’s absence is a blow as the Belgian has been on a good run of form recently, going under the radar with his work ethic and creativity. However, Dier, Sissoko and Winks will provide strong defensive cover so don’t expect Chelsea to get the space and freedom of movement that they would at Stamford Bridge.
After scoring on England duty, Harry Kane will be full of confidence and with the pace and trickery of Erik Lamela and Lucas Moura either side of him, Chelsea’s defence will surely be tested.
Chelsea, however, have a more or less fully fit squad from which to pick. Mateo Kovacic is the only slight concern although it is looking likely that he will start. Two individuals who may be quietly hoping that Kovacic might miss out are the English duo of Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The Englishmen have both been in good form recently and will be looking to break into the Chelsea starting line-up as soon as possible.
Further up the pitch, Chelsea’s usual front three of Hazard, Morata, and Willian look set to start. Hazard was in dazzling form again during the international break and he provided a delicious assist for Michy Batshuayi against Iceland midweek.
Morata has improved in recent weeks and bagged a brace against Crystal Palace earlier this month. The Spaniard will be itching to prove his worth to Chelsea in the coming weeks with the January transfer window opening soon. Morata’s ability to perform against the big teams will be the deciding factor I feel in whether or not he remains Chelsea’s first choice striker.
Predicted Starting XI’s:
Tottenham (4-4-3): Lloris; Trippier, Sanchez, Alderwiereld, Davies; Sissoko, Dier, Winks; Moura, Kane, Lamela
Chelsea (4-3-3): Kepa; Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Alonso; Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic; Willian, Morata, Hazard
Prediction: Tottenham 2 – 1 Chelsea
I think this Spurs can end Chelsea’s unbeaten streak this weekend. Spurs love playing against their London rivals and it always seems to be a closely fought encounter. However, I feel with the form Kane is in and the liability of David Luiz, this one could be edged by the home side.
