Big match breakdown: Chelsea v Tottenham
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Team news and tips ahead of the big game
After a raft of international friendlies, the Premier League is back – and it’s back in a big way.
The feature fixture of the weekend’s games is from Stamford Bridge as Chelsea host Tottenham Hotspur.
It should be a ding-dong battle from the Bridge as Chelsea look to claw back the points deficit in the race for a top-four spot.
The Coral News Team analyse the game in our big match breakdown…
Head-To-Head and Form
The big takeaway from this pair’s head-to-head record is that Spurs haven’t beaten Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in a league game since 1990. And the Blues have won four of the last seven meetings in all competitions.
Chelsea have won 10 of their 15 home games, while Spurs are the second-best away outfit in the country. Mauricio Pochettino’s side have won eight, and drawn three of their 15 away games.
Likely XIs
Pochettino has a huge headache with the absence of star striker Harry Kane. The England forward is out of action until May.
Other than that, the Argentine has no major injuries with Toby Alderweireld back in the fold. He’ll likely start Son Heung-min up top and bring in Eric Lamela on the wing.
Antonio Conte has practically a fully fit squad to choose from. The big decision will be whether to start Olivier Giroud or Alvaro Morata up top.
Key Battles
Both sides are robust and technically gifted so this could be a match made for the middle ground.
Who can grab the game by the scruff of the neck – N’Golo Kante or Eric Dier and Mousa Dembele? There’s a feeling that both teams could cancel each other out here.
With Kane out, Spurs will be relying on Son to run Chelsea’s defence ragged. Can the South Korean cause the Blues’ backline enough issues?
Giroud has struggled a little up top for Chelsea after his move from Arsenal. Alderweireld and co. will lap up his static movement so Morata’s inclusion may be needed.
Match Odds
Chelsea are 13/10 for the win, with Spurs outsiders at 21/10. The draw is handily-priced at 23/10.
There have been Over 2.5 Goals in four the previous five meetings between the sides. You can get Even-Money on that happening again here.
However, both sides don’t concede too many goals. Chelsea have shipped just 11 goals at home in the league all season. And Spurs are notoriously difficult to break down.
Plus the White Hart Lane outfit are without their talisman and key forward, Kane. Under 2.5 Goals is 4/5.
The most likely goalscorer for Chelsea would seem to be Eden Hazard. With Giroud and Morata slightly out of sorts, the brilliant Belgian will be depended on. Hazard is 9/2 to be First Goalscorer and 7/4 to score Anytime.
For Spurs, Son has been superb all season. Can he step up to the plate again in Kane’s absence? He’s 6/1 to score first and 9/5 to hit the net Anytime.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
