EPL Preview: Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea
Chelsea supporters are accustomed to calling Spurs' stadium 'Three Point Lane', but things have changed dramatically as the champions are without a win since one-nil victory over Fulham, they take a short trip across west London this week to take on Tottenham.
It would come as a major shock even for most ardent of Chelsea fans if they manage a win in this game. They seem to have no confidence at all going into this game.
They've missed Frank Lampard immensely - his goals from midfield are a big loss - and they're all over the place at the back. John Terry hasn't been fit as well as Alex and they haven't had enough cover or consistency in the back four.
It is a long time back since Chelsea tasted victory at Tottenham in Premier League, it was comfortable 2-0 win in August 2005 - Asier Del Horno and Damien Duff were the goal scorers. Tottenham had to wait 16 long years to savour a league victory over Chelsea,
but since a 2-1 win in 2006 they have won on two further occasions. Gareth Bale inspired Tottenham side overcame Blues 2-1 last season.
It’s a different story for Tottenham, who have been winning games, scoring goals and are full of confidence. They mustn't let Chelsea's midfield trio dictate terms and the Blues will score because Spurs have been vulnerable at the back. However, I can't
see Chelsea's defence keeping out Tottenham. It will be an open contest, with both teams going at each other. Chelsea have the incentive of topping the table and put pressure on ManU and Arsenal, when they meet at Old Trafford on Monday night.
Team news
Anelka and Cole will start against Tottenham after being left out in mid-week defeat to Marseille. Yossi Benayoun is out till march with Achilles injury and Alex had a knee operation and is sidelined for four weeks. This means Branislav Ivanovic will accompany
John Terry in defense.
Frank Lampard is training well after being out for the best part of this season, Chelsea are reluctant to get him back until he is fully fit, even though he is their star player. Paulo Ferreira will start as right-back after Jose Bosingwa picked up an injury
against Marseille.
Harry Redknapp has an envious task of managing the best squad in Premier League. He welcomes back Aaron Lennon, Luka Modric and Alan Hutton, while Peter Crouch could start alongside Jermain Defoe up front.
Dutchman Rafael van der Vaart will miss out again after failing to recover from a hamstring injury.
Facts
This will be the 142nd meeting between the teams. Tottenham have won 49 times, Chelsea 59 and there have been 33 draws.
Chelsea have only won one of their last six Premier League away matches and failed to score in four in that run.
Florent Malouda is the only player to have created more than three goal scoring chances per game on average in the Premier League this season.
Prediction
Home Win - Chelsea are in a mess and Tottenham have a vigour in their game; for this reason it would take a brave man to bet against anything but a Chelsea defeat. Ancelotti will try to keep things tight to counter Spurs' pace, but still it will finish 2-1
to Tottenham.
Man to watch
Jermain Defoe - Tottenham have done well without him this year but he's still their best centre-forward. His pace will be key to unlock Chelsea’s defense.
Probable starting Line-ups
Tottenham: Gomes, Hutton, Gallas, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Modric, Palacios, Bale, Crouch, Defoe.
Chelsea: Cech, Ferreira, Terry, Ivanovic, Cole, Mikel, Essien, Malouda, Kalou, Anelka, Drogba.
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