Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea: Premier League Preview
Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea face off in a high-stakes London derby this Sunday, with both teams eager to assert dominance in the Premier League.
Spurs, reeling from their midweek loss to Bournemouth, will be desperate to steady the ship, while Chelsea, buoyed by their 5-1 thrashing of Southampton, will look to pile more misery on their rivals.
What time does Tottenham v Chelsea kick-off?
- Location: London, England
- Stadium: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
- Date: Sunday, 8th December 2024
- Kick-off Time: 4:30 pm BST
- Referee: Anthony Taylor
- VAR: Jarred Gillet
How both teams go into Tottenham v Chelsea
Spurs’ recent form has been inconsistent, to say the least. After a promising start under Ange Postecoglou, the wheels have come off. Their 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth highlighted glaring defensive weaknesses and a lack of cohesion in critical moments.
Ange’s frustrations were evident in his post-match comments, as he lamented Spurs’ inability to manage “game state” effectively. They’ve scored just one goal in their last two matches, a significant drop-off for a team aiming for the top 4.
Chelsea, on the other hand, are on the rise. Maresca’s side have quietly become one of the most dangerous teams in the league, racking up 13 goals in their last five matches. Their recent 5-1 demolition of Southampton showcased their attacking depth, with five different players finding the net.
Tottenham Team News
Spurs’ injury woes continue to mount. Ben Davies joins an ever-growing absentee list after picking up a hamstring injury. Cristian Romero hasn’t returned to training yet and is unlikely to feature, while Micky van de Ven has returned to training, he is unlikely to be risked.
This means we could see Archie Gray and Radu Dragusin pairing up in central defence—a partnership that inspires as much confidence as Forster’s footwork.
Elsewhere, Udogie’s poor form might spark debates, but Ange is expected to stick with him at left-back, with Porro on the right. Spurs will need their Madi-Son duo to step up once again.
Chelsea Team News
Reece James? Injured again. You’d think his name appears more on the injury list than on team sheets lately. Wesley Fofana is also ruled out due to a hamstring injury.
Chelsea’s strength lies in their midfield, with Cole Palmer, the Premier League‘s joint 3rd highest goal scorer, orchestrating attacks. However, their poor crossing accuracy of only 3.1 accurate crosses per match (18th in the league) might allow Spurs to manage the aerial threat.
Predicted Tottenham Line-Up
Forster; Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Udogie; Bissouma, Sarr; Kulusevski, Maddison, Son, Solanke.
Our Prediction
This derby could go one of two ways: Spurs’ inconsistencies could see them falter, or Ange’s men might channel their underdog spirit and rise to the occasion. Chelsea’s fluid build-up and quick transitions will test Spurs’ shaky defence. Tottenham’s hopes rest on the Madi-Son duo to deliver moments of brilliance.
Key battles to watch include Kulusevski’s creativity against Marc Cucurella and Son’s ability to exploit space behind their defence. Dominic Solanke has been a standout for Spurs although not his best against his former club but he leads the team with 1.4 shots on target per match. Meanwhile, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer is second in the Premier League for big chances created (11), highlighting the threat he poses.
Spurs fans will hope history doesn’t repeat itself—Chelsea’s long tradition of ruining North London evenings still haunts them. However, if Tottenham can avoid self-inflicted errors and stay compact, they might just edge this one.
Let’s be honest—it takes some serious courage to predict a Tottenham win during times like these but Spurs can be trusted with their inconsistencies. They have a habit of surprising us, for better or worse, and this clash feels like the perfect moment for them to swing the pendulum back in their favour.
Prediction: Tottenham 2-1 Chelsea.
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