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