English Premier League Preview: Spurs host Chelsea for a critical London derby
After all the thrills of the Nations League, it’s time for the teams to get back to the grind of the Premier League. As the busy Christmas fixture list looms, Chelsea and Spurs will be looking to get a leg up heading into the festive period.
Both sides come into this game on a good run of form. Spurs have won six of their last seven Premier League games, whereas Chelsea are unbeaten in their last twelve league matches.
Barring the latter stages of the game against Wolves, Spurs have been solid at the back, with arguably their greatest weakness currently being individual lapses of judgement. Rumours continue to swirl around the future of Mauricio Pochettino, with the ambitious Argentine said to be frustrated by the lack of money available for squad improvements.
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Clubs like Real Madrid and Manchester United may very well come calling at the end of the season if Spurs continue to go trophy-less, but with Harry Kane as the leader in the dressing room, they will always be a threat.
Kane had a fruitful international break, scoring the goal that relegated Croatia to the B Division of the Nations League, and his form will be instrumental in deciding the flow of the game. Kieran Trippier’s involvement is in doubt after his injury against Crystal Palace, which will likely rob Spurs of one of their primary set-piece threats.
Serge Aurier will take his place, and is much less reliable defensively. Vincent Janssen, Moussa Dembele, Davinson Sanchez and Danny Rose are also expected to miss the game. Jan Vertonghen is back in training, but may be rested, with one eye on the key upcoming Champions League game against Inter.
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The travelling Bridge…
Chelsea are faring better on the injury front. Ethan Ampadu is out, but other than that the only blot is Mateo Kovacic, who is doubtful for the game. Maurizio Sarri is unlikely to make too many changes to a side that is in largely excellent form. The return to relevance of Ross Barkley has added an extra dimension to Chelsea’s midfield, and with Eden Hazard fit again following his reduced involvement over the past couple of weeks, the Blues should be raring to go.
Hazard’s involvement will be of particular trouble to back up right-back Aurier, as he will have to contend with both the Belgian, and Marcos Alonso’s overlapping runs. The left-wing tandem have been a key cog in Chelsea’s attacking-machine, and how Spurs deal with them will go a long way towards deciding the outcome of the fixture.
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Chelsea’s success inside Wembley stadium cannot go unnoticed. Both teams will play comfortably today, with every player relishing to play at Wembley, especially Chelsea’s lot.
Prediction: Spurs 2-2 Chelsea