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Tottenham v CHELSEA: Preview

Date: Sunday 22nd December 2019

Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Kick-off: 16:30 GMT

There’s much being made of today’s fixture, more about the managers and the predictable ‘protégé meets master’ nonsense and less about the game itself, but the bottom line for most of us is, it’s Tottenham v Chelsea.

As far as today’s opponents are concerned, I couldn’t care less who manages them, I can’t stand them either way. As for Mourinho, that chapter was closed a long time ago. The epilogue summed up everything I needed to know, so his latest position came as no real surprise to me.

Tottenham are in the honeymoon period though and have won four of their five Premier League games under Mourinho, who, of course, has also never lost a home fixture against a side he has previously managed. There’s a notable shaping-up of the players who couldn’t be bothered putting in the effort for Pochettino this season, Dele Alli, an example of that, which is unfortunate given he’s scored five goals in his last four Premier League games against us.

As for Chelsea, we’re going through a bit of a ‘spell’ and had a rotten game against Bournemouth last weekend, so I suspect the players will be feeling the pressure rather than love today – particularly if that spell isn’t broken

MANAGER’S VIEWS

Going into today’s game, 100% Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho, says “I am 100% Tottenham. I am 100% my club always. No space at all for my previous clubs. I gave everything to all of them, but they are my previous clubs.  My club is Tottenham so it’s so, so easy for me. Not difficult from the emotional side of things.”

Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard meanwhile, says “It’s Tottenham-Chelsea, that game has enough anyway. And then you have Jose Mourinho there. And he’s going to be desperate to beat us, let’s make no bones.

When I’ve gone up against Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp this season, of course you want to say “can I show against these incredible managers what I can do, what my team can do?” So it will be a familiar feeling.

I am happy to go up against Jose [Mourinho], it was a big deal last year [with Derby v Manchester United].  I have a big respect for him. The big thing is Chelsea versus Spurs, it is what the rivalry means to my players.”

SQUAD NEWS

For Tottenham, Hugo Lloris (elbow), Erik Lamela (hamstring) and Ben Davies (ankle) remain out, Tanguy Ndombele (groin) faces a late test, whilst Michel Vorm (calf) is back in contention.

For Chelsea, Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Achilles), and van Ginkel (ACL) are injured but Fikayo Tomori (hip) and Olivier Giroud (ankle) are both available.

TEAMS

TOTTENHAM (Possible line-up): Gazzaniga; Aurier, Sanchez, Alderweireld, Vertonghen; Sissoko, Dier; Lucas, Alli, Son; Kane

CHELSEA (Possible line-up): Kepa; Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Zouma, Emerson; Kante, Jorginho; Kovacic; Willian, Abraham; Pulisic.

LAST SEASON

Tottenham 3-1 Chelsea (24th November 2018)

CURRENT FORM (PL)

TOTTENHAM: DWWLWW

CHELSEA: WLLWLL

OTHER STUFF

  • Tottenham have won three of the last five Premier League games against Chelsea.
  • Chelsea Blues have won two of their last 13 league matches away to Spurs.
  • Spurs are winless in 10 league fixtures against opposition from the established top six since they beat Chelsea at Wembley in November 2018 (D3, L7). Eight of those 10 games were away.
  • Chelsea have lost four of their past five league matches, as many defeats as in their previous 24.
  • Chelsea could lose three consecutive league games for the first time since November 2015.
  • Chelsea have lost 15 matches in all competitions in 2019.

PREDICTION

BBC Sport: Tottenham 2-0 Chelsea

Sky Sports: Tottenham 2-2 Chelsea

Sportsmole: Tottenham 2-1 Chelsea

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