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4 key battles to consider when Spurs play Chelsea this weekend

By Liam Thomas

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Antonio Conte, Manager of Chelsea reacts as Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur gives his team instructions during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on August 20, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Antonio Conte, Manager of Chelsea reacts as Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur gives his team instructions during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on August 20, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
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The international break has come to an end, and our beloved Spurs return to action on Sunday in a much-anticipated clash against top-four rivals Chelsea.

Five points are all that separate us from our fellow Londoners and with the added pressure of the last stretch of the season to consider, it will in no doubt be an absolute barnstormer on Sunday afternoon.

However, with some of the Premier Leagues finest talent’s playing for both sides, there will be a fair few battles across the turf at Stamford Bridge- let’s consider four of them where the game may be won or lost.

Kieran Trippier v Willian
In what could be one of the most critical battles of the game, Trippier will have his work cut out for him against the ever illusive Willian if he is given the nod by Pochettino at right-back.

Trippier is more than capable of dealing with the threat Willian poses, however, a stellar performance from himself and whoever he is partnered with at the back will be needed in this one. You only have to look as far back as a few weeks ago when the Chelsea winger tore apart a solid Barcelona defence in Chelsea’s first leg against the Spanish giants to see what the Brazilian is capable of doing.

Christian Eriksen v N’golo Kante
Two of the best midfielders in the game at the moment, nevermind the Premier League. Eriksen has been on fire this season and is arguably our best hope of getting the three points at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon. Kante will undoubtedly need to be at his best, however, so will our great Dane.

Kante didn’t win PFA player of the year last season for no reason, he’s become renowned for preventing some of the leagues best talents from working their magic against him, but if there’s a player in the league who is capable of getting one over him at the moment, it’s Eriksen.

Mousa Dembélé v Eden Hazard
A similar battle to the one just mentioned these two will be at each other’s throats throughout the game on Sunday. However, if there’s anyone to deal with the sheer trickery and talent of Eden Hazard, it’s Mousa Dembele.

Our Belgian enforcer has made a name for himself over the last few years in the Premier League and for a good reason too – simply put he’s one of the best at what he does, a defensive midfield genius.

An exciting battle to look forward to, with both players extremely capable of giving their side the three points.

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Son Heung-Min v Andreas Christensen
With Harry Kane out of the picture, Son will again have to step up to the mark and put in another solid performance. Son’s a man in form, and it’s Christensen and his likely other two partners at the back of Chelsea’s defence who will have to be exact in their tactics for the full 90 minutes to stop the threat the South Korean poses.

If Son plays anything like he has recently, expect a great Tottenham performance. Antonio Conte will in no doubt have his defenders on high alert to nullify his game.