Competition: Premier League – Chelsea vs. Tottenham Hotspur
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Venue: Stamford Bridge – Saturday, 26 November – 17:30 GMT (12:30 ET)
Match Odds: Chelsea 8/11 – Draw 14/5 – Spurs 18/5
Match Preview
Chelsea face Spurs in what is a huge Premier League clash between the two London rivals on Saturday evening, with Tottenham looking to end a 26-year wait for a win at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea come into the weekend at the top of the table and have won six on the bounce, keeping a clean sheet in each of those victories.
Antonio Conte has the Blues looking like genuine title contenders and they’ll be looking to continue to prove their credentials with a win against Spurs here. They’ve won more games against Tottenham than against any other Premier League side and are rightly favourites.
Last season’s meeting between these two was dubbed ‘The Battle of the Bridge’ after 12 players were booked in a fierce contest and an equally hostile clash is expected on Saturday.
Spurs arrive at Chelsea after being eliminated from the Champions League following their 2-1 loss at AS Monaco on Tuesday evening.
Their dramatic 3-2 win over West Ham last weekend already seems a distant memory and all focus is now on this huge clash. Spurs remain unbeaten in the Premier League but know this will probably be their toughest test of the season so far.
It’s been 26 years since Spurs last won at Stamford Bridge. 16 of Tottenham’s first-team squad weren’t even born then, while the Premier League hadn’t even been formed.
Team News
Chelsea will soon be able to welcome back Kurt Zouma from his long-term injury but he is lacking match fitness and probably won’t be in the squad here. The same applies for Marco Van Ginkel, who is close to being match ready. But Antonio Conte is unlikely to make any changes to his side, with the 3-4-3 formation proving impossible for opposition sides to cope with.
Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino made four changes for the Champions League defeat in Monaco on Tuesday but the likes of Jan Vertonghen, Christian Eriksen and Kyle Walker will come back in to the starting lineup here. Danny Rose is suspended, while Ben Davies is injured so Vertonghen will have to fill in at left-back, with Kevin Wimmer likely to start alongside Eric Dier in the heart of the Tottenham defence. Erik Lamela and Toby Alderweireld remain injured, while Harry Winks will be hoping for a third successive start after impressing against West Ham last weekend.
Key Points
Chelsea’s last five: W/W/W/W/W
Tottenham’s last five: D/D/D/D/W
Key Stat: Tottenham have not won any of their last 29 trips to Stamford Bridge. They last won at Chelsea on February 10, 1990 – 26 years ago.
Key Player: Eden Hazard scored the equaliser in the last meeting between these sides to hand the Premier League title to Leicester. He has now scored in four of his last five against Spurs and is in great form heading into the tie.
Score Prediction
Chelsea 2-0 Spurs – Spurs might be unbeaten in league play this season but they are heading to the Premier League’s in-form team and fierce London rivals. Their Champions League defeat in midweek, coupled with injuries to key players, leaves them in a vulnerable position. Chelsea, on the other hand, are looking unstoppable and haven’t conceded a goal in over two months. Home win.
