Tottenham versus Chelsea, Preview and Predictions

After two weeks with nothing but our respective national sides to satisfy our cravings for football, the Premier League gets back into action today with a full slate of games. The late game, and frankly the tastiest treat of the weekend, is the London derby between Tottenham and Chelsea at Wembley. This is the first meeting between the two sides this season and the game has plenty at stake for only Matchday 13.

LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 01: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on April 1, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

Both Chelsea and Tottenham have started the season well and they are currently 3rd and 4th respectively in the League. The winner today has the early inside track of staying in the top four and in shouting distance of Liverpool and Manchester City ahead. Beyond the 3 points and third place for the winner, this is a London derby, which always adds to the festivities on matchday. So, what has recent history told us, how is the form for each club and what might we expect when the whistle blows?

Recent History of Tottenham and Chelsea

Chelsea and Tottenham have played 152 times in all competitions with Chelsea having won 66 matches to Tottenham’s 49, with 37 draws. League wise, the sides have played 136 matches, with Chelsea winning 57 and Tottenham 45, with 34 draws. If history tells us anything, it is that Chelsea has the edge, although Tottenham have as many wins historically as Chelsea in the series, when Spurs host. Yes, it is Wembley, but it is the home turf.

LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 01: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on prior to the Premier League match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on April 1, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

Since Mauricio Pochettino took over in 2014-2015, the series has tightened up, with both sides having 3 wins and 2 draws in the eight games since Pochettino took over Spurs. Last season saw the away side win both matches. Chelsea won at Wembley on Matchday 2, and Tottenham historically came into Stamford Bridge and won for the first time since 1989-90. Like I said things have tightened up since Pochettino came to N17. This will be Spurs first tussle with Sarri at the helm, but Chelsea have been in fine form.

Tottenham and Chelsea Form

Chelsea have been in good form overall, having not lost a match in all competitions thus far this season. The Blues are 4-0 in Europa League, leading Group L with 12 points. Chelsea has eight wins and four draws in League play, and the 28 points have them in 3rd place, 1 ahead of Spurs and 2 behind second place Liverpool.

Chelsea has beaten Arsenal, but tied Manchester United, Liverpool, and Everton thus far against the top six. Outside of the draws with West Ham and the last time out against Everton, both 0-0 affairs, finding the net hasn’t been a problem for the Blues. Chelsea currently boasts the second-best goal difference in League at 19, with Eden Hazard leading the charge with 7 goals and 4 assists thus far in the season.

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 15: Jorginho of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Cardiff City at Stamford Bridge on September 15, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /

The addition of Jorginho this season has provided a strong link between the defense and attack, taking a lot of burden off N’Golo Kante. Jorginho leads the team in passes and connects with several attacking options beyond Hazard. Apart from the Italian’s distribution, we can expect to see a battle on the flanks with Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta likely to push on the attack as much as they can.

Chelsea has been sharp and at times dominating. Spurs have their hands full.

Tottenham’s form hasn’t been quite to the level of Chelsea’s at this point in the season, but still Spurs fight on all fronts. We know the Champions League hasn’t been what anyone affiliated with what Spurs wanted this season, but we also didn’t draw MOL VIdi, PAOK Slaonika, and BATE Borisov. Yes, those are the Group L teams in Europa with Chelsea.

LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 01: Christian Eriksen of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates after scoring his sides first goal with Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on April 1, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

When it comes to the League, while Spurs are not unbeaten, they are un-tied and only 1 point behind Chelsea with more wins on the season, nine to eight. Harry Kane, Erik Lamela, and Lucas Moura have led the scoring for Spurs thus far this term, but some other weapons like Dele Alli and Christen Eriksen are just rounding back from injuries.

At times this season, Spurs have looked like the flat track bullies from a few years back, ask Wolverhampton as 3 goals were blitzed on them. Then other times, Tottenham have looked kind of, I hate to say it, Spursy. Ask Wolverhampton about the two spot kicks they got to get back in the game.

FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: COMPOSITE OF IMAGES – Image numbers 1018719794,1040951966 – GRADIENT ADDED) In this composite image a comparison has been made between Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur (L) and Maurizio Sarri, Manager of Chelsea. Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea FC meet in a Premier League fixture on November 24, 2018 at Wembley Stadium in London. ***LEFT IMAGE*** LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 18: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on prior to the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham FC at Wembley Stadium on August 18, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 26: Maurizio Sarri, Manager of Chelsea looks on ahead of the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield on September 26, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) /

Bottom line, Tottenham just haven’t found a consistently high gear yet this season. That said, players are getting healthy and traditionally under Pochettino, this tough late calendar year stretch is when his teams shine.

Prediction Time

As a new feature to our previews here at Hotspur HQ, we will be sharing our predictions for the match within one of the previews. So here are the predictions from my mates and me.

Barrett Rouen

2-2.

Chelsea are playing better than Tottenham at the moment but with a striker as impotent as Alvaro Morata leading the way they’ll struggle to score goals. Chelsea will ship a few to a more organized side in Tottenham but Spurs simply have no answer for the quality of Eden Hazard, who scores.

Zaph Hutson

2-1 Spurs

Spurs have been in a habit recently of getting Ws, even if the games aren’t exactly pretty. Chelsea’s attack revolves around Hazard’s precise passes and dribbling. The recent emergence of Moussa Sissoko could not have come at a better time and you can count on him having Hazard’s number. With him on the job, it will be up to Kane and company to get points on the board.

Aaron Coe

3-1 Spurs

I expect Tottenham to come off fresh and sharp on the break. Even with no Argentines in the starting line-up, expect to see the re-emergence of Heung-Min Son along with the return of Alli and Eriksen both to the starting line-up. Son scores, Kane scores, and Alli scores, which means we can’t lose.

dark. Next. Chelsea injury update