The “Battle of Stamford Bridge” remains one of the most iconic matches in the history of the Premier League. That was a game which took an already regional rivalry between two big teams, added stakes to it, and the result was a fiery clash that shaped the rivalry.
However, time flies quickly in football. The manager of Spurs in that game now sits in the opposite dugout. Mauricio Pochettino is the enemy, while Tottenham have a new “mister” to idolise in Ange Postecoglou.
It is not a rivalry that needed any more spice to make it interesting, but here it is. Tottenham welcome Chelsea to their stadium, hoping to inflict another punch to hurt their ailing season while giving themselves another rocket boost. A win for Tottenham will feel extra sweet for the fans due to the Poch factor, while Chelsea need a result urgently.
Here’s the match preview, buildup, team news, and more as Pochettino returns to the club he laid successful foundations of with an enemy!
Spurs vs Chelsea preview
The roles are reversed. Tottenham are absolutely flying under Ange Postecoglou. After 10 games, they are the only unbeaten team in the league after Arsenal lost to Newcastle. Harry Kane’s departure has been more smooth than anyone expected, with the Aussieland tactician expertly moulding Spurs into a team that is more than the sum of its parts.
At Stamford Bridge, however, it feels like the nightmare of last season has just extended into this one. Mauricio Pochettino was expected to provide the same building blocks at Chelsea that he did when he arrived at Spurs.
However, a scattergun transfer strategy, piling injury issues, and a startling lack of luck in games have left them in 12th position in the table, winning only three out of 10 games. With only 13 goals scored, their attack is failing to click, a far cry from the thrilling squad the Argentine created at Spurs.
Can Chelsea upset the odds with Pochettino landing a blow to the team that put him on the elite coach map? That’s the story here-
Spurs vs Chelsea predicted lineup
Spurs team news
Besides having a good plan on the pitch, Spurs have also been helped by some good injury luck. Manor Solomon, Ivan Perisic, and Ryan Sessegnon remain the long-term absentees but otherwise, most issues have been game-to-game short-term ones.
They could get this season’s revelation Destiny Udogie back for this game, while the fullback on the opposite side, Ben Davies is unlikely to make it.
The rest of the team picks itself, a testament to the tactical work Ange has done, combined with the way the players he trusts have stepped up.
Predicted Spurs XI: Vicario, Porro, Van de Ven, Romero, Royal, Bissouma, Sarr, Kulusevski, Maddison, Richarlison, Son
Chelsea team news
If everything has gone right for Spurs from on to off the pitch, the opposite has been true for Chelsea. They have been decimated by injuries all season, with one player coming back and another taking his place in the physio room.
Worse still, most of their injuries to key players are long-term, with Ben Chilwell, Wesley Fofana, Christopher Nkunku, and Romeo Lavia out for a long time.
On the optimistic side, Armando Broja should return to the bench for this one, while Mykhailo Mudryk will shake off his muscle strain to be available against Spurs.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Gusto, Silva, Colvill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Gallagher, Sterling, Mudryk, Palmer
Spurs vs Chelsea prediction
On current form, it is hard to look past Spurs continuing their winning run. With it being a home game, the crowd will be eager to get on the back of Pochettino and Chelsea players who already look short of confidence.
If Spurs score an early goal, betting on Chelsea to make a comeback wouldn’t be a wise move. Expect Ange Postecoglou to keep the good times going at Spurs as he becomes the manager who finally manages to get out of Pochettino’s Spurs shadow with a win against the man himself.
FootTheBall predicts Spurs 3-1 Chelsea.