Looking ahead to Chelsea-Spurs
Domestic football returns after a two week lay-off with the international break and what bigger match in the Premier League this weekend than Chelsea versus Tottenham?
The two London rivals clash head-to-head at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon after Arsenal host Stoke City earlier in the day.
We have a real opportunity to put a nail in the coffin of Chelsea’s Champions League hopes for next season and perhaps put an end to Antonio Conte’s reign at Stamford Bridge, with three points.
With eight games to go we are sitting in fourth position – two points behind Liverpool who have played a game extra, and five ahead of the Blues who sit outside of the Champions League places.
Even a draw would keep our nice cushion above the West London club, though Conte’s side do have a rather favourable fixture list after this weekend with the likes of relegation battling West Ham, Southampton and Swansea City all to face.
Odds seemingly aren’t on our side this Sunday either as the football betting odds on Paddy Power have Chelsea as the 6/5 favourites, whilst we’re currently back at 21/10.
No doubt Harry Kane’s ankle injury is a huge setback for us – though the hitman is not completely ruled out for sure. The 24-year-old was spotting at the training ground in his gear this past Sunday, hinting that he could be ready to face Chelsea.
Without Kane we could see Fernando Llorente start up front, unless Mauricio Pochettino wants to stick Heung-min Son there. The South Korean has been excellent in recent weeks so perhaps the boss will want to keep him in his usual role.
Chelsea have been inconsistent in their title defence which they gave up without a fight to Manchester City this season. However, victory on Sunday would see them close the gap to us on two points, whilst they also have a game in hand on Liverpool who are two points above us before their trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday lunchtime.
Antonio Conte’s side were 2-1 winners against us back in August in what was the first-ever Premier League game at Wembley. Marcos Alonso scored a stunning free kick before smashing the ball beneath Hugo Lloris in the final five minutes to seal a late victory for the visitors.
The below infographic from Paddy Power shows our recent head-to-head record with Chelsea and a comparison between the two club’s trophies:
