Chelsea will be looking to extend their lead on their title rivals this weekend when they play host to Spurs at Stamford Bridge.
Date: Saturday, 8th March Venue: Stamford Bridge Kick-off: 17:30 GMT On TV: Sky Sports 1/HD
With two of Chelsea’s main title rivals in FA Cup action this weekend, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho will undoubtedly see Saturday evening’s clash with London rivals Tottenham as a golden chance to pull away from Arsenal and Manchester City.
However, Chelsea will face a stern test in a Tottenham side who will be looking to end Jose Mourinho’s unbeaten Stamford Bridge league record and look to keep their hopes of Champions League football alive.
Chelsea now find a new team sitting below them in Liverpool, who have very quietly got on with their business and put themselves well in the running for title hopes and certainly Champions League qualification.
A comfort for Chelsea fans, however, will be the knowledge that by the end of gameweek 29, the Blues will still be top of the table, as Mourinho’s men hold a 4 point lead over any teams around them.
However, only a win to follow up the victory at Craven Cottage last week will be on the fans’ minds to secure a cushion at the top of the table and open up a lead on Arsenal and Manchester City.
It’s now 13 league games unbeaten for Chelsea and the Premier League is starting to see the ‘machine’ of a side that went on to win consecutive titles in Mourinho’s first spell in charge.
Tottenham, however, have been sketchy of late, but certainly improved since the sacking of former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas.
The North London outfit claimed a 1-0 victory at home to Cardiff last weekend, but lost away to Norwich in the league game previous to that win. However, before that loss, it was 7 points gained out of a possible 9 for Tim Sherwood’s side as they look to sneak up on the top four positions.
Jose Mourinho seems to have his preferred starting XI set out in his mind, and has the depth in the squad to implement any changes as and when it is necessary, as we saw when hat-trick hero Andre Schurrle entered the fray last weekend.
Tottenham, unlike the Blues, have a striker that they can consistently rely on to come up with an important goal at an important time; Emmanuel Adebayor seems a revitalized player under new boss Tim Sherwood.
The Togo international came up with a huge goal to sink fellow Champions League hopefuls Everton, who Chelsea dramatically beat in their last game at Stamford Bridge.
He is likely to line up in a 4-4-2 formation, which has been favoured by the Tottenham Manager since his appointment.
Christian Erikson is another player boosted by the manager’s appointment, but it is unclear whether the Danish international will play following his absence his international side who lost 1-0 to England on Wednesday night.
In the reverse fixture earlier this season, John Terry scored the equaliser in a 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane. At Stamford Bridge last season, Tottenham came from behind twice to recover a point and a 2-2 draw.
Chelsea seemingly have no new injury worries to deal with, after Eden Hazard claimed he was fit to play following a knock in Belgium’s midweek friendly.
David Luiz limped off in Brazil’s midweek injury, but the extent of the knock unknown, but seemingly not too serious.
It will have to be seen whether Jose Mourinho selects Samuel Eto’o for Saturday’s game, following the forward’s complete exclusion from the squad in the squad in the win against Fulham.
Finally, no Chelsea fan will be blamed for wanting and presuming Andre Schurrle will play a part following his classy hat-trick in that win last week, despite not being one of Jose Mournho’s regulars. The winger has 5 goals in his last 3 starts for the Blues.
Chelsea vs Tottenham: Pre-match facts:
- No team have earned more points at home in the Premier League this season than Chelsea (38)
- No midfielder has been involved in more goals than Eden Hazard in the Premier League this season (12 goals, 7 assists)
- Spurs have been ahead in five of their last seven matches with Chelsea, but went on to win none
- Emmanuel Adebayor has scored seven goals in his last six away Premier League appearances
Source: Opta
Predicted line-ups:
Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Matic, Luiz; Schurrle, Hazard, Willian; Torres
Tottenham: Lloris, Walker, Vertongen, Dawson, Naughton; Lennon, Paulinho, Dembele, Erikson; Adebayor, Soldado
Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham
yes thats the final score meaning we CHELSEA are still on top of the table