Tottenham vs Chelsea Match Preview
The final game of a hectic Christmas period in the Premier League will see Spurs and Chelsea go head-to-head in the late kick off on New Year’s Day. Both sides go into the game off the back of a draw, which was a better result for Tottenham as they held Manchester United at home: whereas Chelsea had to settle for a draw at Southampton, and they have now left the title race right in the balance. The home side will be feeling good about getting a result and will definitely need to avoid defeat in their push for Champions League football, but this game is just as important for Chelsea, who need to keep winning games if they’re to maintain a gap ahead of Manchester City at the top of the table.
Tottenham are unbeaten in their last 5 in the Premier League and have won 3 of those. However, Spurs have failed to win any of their last 6 competitive meetings with Chelsea, losing 4 of those, so history is not on their side. The Blues sit on top of the Premier League heading into 2015 and they will be confident of securing a positive result at White Hart Lane. Spurs impressed early on when these two met at Stamford Bridge on the 3rd of December, before the Blues romped to victory and it could be a closely fought tie in north London. However, while Spurs will aim to dent Chelsea’s title hopes, the away side should secure the win.
Spurs’ Nabil Bentaleb is a doubt due to illness and could miss out here after sitting out the 0-0 draw with Manchester United other than that, Mauricio Pochettino has no further pressing injury concerns. The Argentine could hand a starting berth to Aaron Lennon, with Nacer Chadli missing out, while Erik Lamela and Kyle Walker are expected to come back into the starting XI.
Chelsea have to decide on Oscar who remains a doubt due to illness after he missed the 1-1 draw with Southampton, should he miss out, John Obi Mikel will likely keep his place in the starting XI alongside Nemanja Matic with Cesc Fabregas supporting Diego Costa in attack. Cesar Azpilicueta and Willian may also come into the side at the expense of Filipe Luis and Andre Schurrle.
Our Probable Formations:
Tottenham (4.2.3.1) Lloris, Walker, Fazio, Vertonghen, Davies, Stambouli, Mason, Lamela, Eriksen, Lennon and Kane.
Chelsea (4.2.3.1) Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpillicueta, Matic, Mikel, Willian, Fàbregas, Hazard and Costa.
Some Hot Tips:
Chelsea are undefeated in 21 of their last 22 matches in the Premier League.
Chelsea are undefeated in their last 10 matches against Tottenham in all competitions.
There have been under 2.5 goals scored in Chelsea’s last 4 games in the Premier League.
Tottenham have seen over 2.5 goals in 5 of their last 6 matches against Chelsea in all competitions.
Chelsea have scored at least 2 goals in 5 of their last 6 matches against Tottenham in all competitions.
Tottenham are undefeated in their last 5 matches in the Premier League.