The Premier League returns this weekend and Sunday sees a huge match-up between Champions League-chasing Chelsea and Tottenham. The Blues currently sit fifth in the table, five points behind Spurs in fourth, knowing that failure to beat their London rivals will make qualifying for next year’s Champions League a very tough task.
They’ll be boosted by playing at home though. Stamford Bridge hasn’t witnessed a Chelsea defeat to Tottenham since February 1990, and it was also the scene for Tottenham’s capitulation in 2016, when they conceded a two-goal lead to draw the game, missing out on the Premier League title in the process.
Chelsea’s recent record against top teams in the Premier League is poor though, with defeats to both Manchester United and Manchester City this season. As has been so often the case this season, Antonio Conte finds his role under increased scrutiny. Defeat on Sunday might see Roman Abramovich finally pull the plug on the Italian’s reign at Stamford Bridge.
On the other hand, Spurs are unbeaten in six games in the Premier League, with their only recent defeat coming at Wembley in the Champions League against Juventus. They’ll be very confident ahead of Sunday’s game, but Chelsea are the only team to have beaten Spurs at Wembley this season, with Marcos Alonso scoring twice in August.
Chelsea vs. Tottenham Predictions
This will be a tough game for Chelsea, but Stamford Bridge has so many demons for Spurs that without Harry Kane, they’ll struggle to overcome. Spurs won’t win this game, but there’s excellent value in the double chance markets or a draw.
Chelsea vs. Tottenham Betting Tips
Head to Head
- Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 27 home league matches against Spurs (W18 D9) since losing 2-1 in February 1990.
- Spurs’ 25 games at Stamford Bridge without winning in the Premier League is the most that one team has played on one ground without a single victory in the competition.
- Tottenham have won more points in Premier League London derbies this season that any other side (13 – W4 D1 L2).
- The Blues are looking to do their first league double over Tottenham since the 2005/06 season.
- Spurs have surrendered the lead on each of their last two league visits to Stamford Bridge, drawing 2-2 from 2-0 up in May 2016, and losing 2-1 after Christian Eriksen gave them the advantage last term.
- Chelsea are looking to secure back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since December – They’re winless in their last four against fellow “big six” sides (D2 L2), although all of those have been away from home.
- Spurs are unbeaten in six Premier League away games (W4 D2) since a 1-4 loss at Manchester City in December.
- After a run of nine games in all competitions without a goal, Heung-Min Son has scored seven in his last five for Tottenham.
- Chelsea have had 51 different goalscorers against Tottenham in the Premier League (excluding own goals), more than any team has had against another in the competition.
- Under Mauricio Pochettino, Tottenham have won 59% of their Premier League games in which Harry Kane has featured (won 77/131) compared to just 39% when he’s played no part (5/13).
Chelsea Team News
Thibault Courtois is a doubt with a hamstring injury, while Andreas Christensen was sent back to Chelsea from the Denmark camp after suffering from fatigue. However, both are expected to be fit for Sunday’s game. Ross Barkley and David Luiz are both unlikely to feature, while Ethan Ampadu is out for the rest of the season with an ankle injury.
Alvaro Morata scored his first Chelsea goal since Boxing Day against Leicester, while Olivier Giroud scored for France during the international break. Although Conte could ignore both and play Eden Hazard in a false nine position.
Chelsea Probable XI: Thibault Courtois, Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rudiger, Victor Moses, Cesc Fabregas, N’Golo Kante, Marcos Alonso, Willian, Eden Hazard, Pedro
Tottenham Team News
Harry Kane will definitely miss out and isn’t expected to return for Spurs until the middle or end of April. There are also doubts over Dele Alli, who didn’t play in either of England’s games in the international break. Harry Winks is out with an ankle injury, while Toby Alderweireld’s condition is still unknown.
Tottenham Probable XI: Hugo Lloris, Kieran Trippier, Davinson Sanchez, Jan Vertonghen, Ben Davies, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli, Erik Lamela, Heung-Min Son
