Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea - Preview & Prediction
London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham take on each other in this New Year’s day clash at White Hart Lane. Matches between these two teams rarely disappoint and one can expect this clash to be no different. While Chelsea sit at the top of the table, Spurs have recently been on a good run of form, and have gathered some momentum. Both teams come into this match having racked up four wins each in their last 5 games.
Chelsea cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory when these two sides met a few weeks back thanks to goals from Eden Hazard, Didier Drogba and Loic Remy. The Blues will be looking to repeat this performance and start the new year with a bang. Tottenham on the other hand, will be looking to prove to the whole world that they can compete with their much fancied London rivals and would also want to provide a gentle reminder to the other teams competing for that fourth spot that they too are in the reckoning.
Possible starting line-ups
Chelsea (4-2-3-1)
Chelsea come into this match after a hard fought 1-1 draw against the Saints. Their three point lead at the top of the table is still intact thanks to Manchester City’s shock collapse against Burnley. Jose Mourinho knows that his side will have to be at the top of their game to beat this in-form Spurs side.
Oscar remains a doubt after not fully recovering from the illness that kept him out of Chelsea’s 1-1 draw at Southampton. If Oscar isn’t fit to start, Nigerian International John Obi Mikel would be expected to keep his place in center midfield and Fabregas would be expected to play in the No.10 role.
Mourinho could also recall Willian and Cesar Azpilicueta back to the starting line-up after both of them were rested for the trip to Southampton.
Tottenham Hotspur (4-2-3-1)
Mauricio Pochettino’s men sit in 7th position in the Premier League and come into this match on the back of a good run that saw them win four and draw one in their last five games. They were held to a goal-less draw against Manchester United in their last game and Pochettino will know that his side will have to get a positive result from this game too in order to keep his side’s top-four ambitions intact.
Like Oscar, Nabil Bentaleb also hasn’t fully recovered from the illness that kept him out of the 0-0 draw against United. New signing Stambouli would be expected to keep his place in Bentaleb’s absence.
Pochettino would also be expected to bring back Erik Lamela and Kyle Walker into the starting line-up in place of Vlad Chiriches and Andros Townsend.
Key Battles
Nemanja Matic vs Christian Eriksen
Eriksen has been Spurs’ best player so far. His ability to pick a pass, create goals and score goals make him a dangerous player. His dead ball skills also pose a danger to the Chelsea backline. He already has 7 Premier League goals to his name and it will be up to the Chelsea enforcer, Nemanja Matic to stop the Dane from dictating the match for Spurs from midfield.
Harry Kane vs John Terry and Gary Cahill
Harry Kane has been a real surprise performer this season for Spurs. His fine form has seen him preferred over the much more experienced duo of Roberto Soldado and Adebayor. The youngster has an impressive 5 goals to his name and will be looking to add to that tally against the Blues. It will be up to the impressive defensive partnership of Terry and Cahill to stop the enthusiastic and determined Kane from wreaking havoc in the Chelsea backline.
Eden Hazard vs Kyle Walker
The world is running out of superlatives to describe the diminutive Belgian. He is in scintillating form and scored a wonderful solo goal against Southampton to earn his team a 1-1 draw. Kyle Walker who is on his comeback trail and has started three of Spurs’ last 4 games, will be given the daunting task of trying to keep the dangerous Hazard quiet during the game. If Walker succeeds in his task, Spurs’ chances of winning this tie will automatically increase.
Key Facts and Stats
- Chelsea are undefeated in 21 of their last 22 games in the Premier League.
- Chelsea are undefeated in their last 10 games against Spurs in all competitions.
- Tottenham are undefeated in their last five games in the Premier League.
- Spurs have won three and lost just one of their last eight Premier League home games against Chelsea.
- Chelsea have won six and lost two of their last eight Premier League New Year’s day fixtures.
Prediction
Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Chelsea