Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte will lock horns for the third time inside a month as Chelsea host Tottenham in the Premier League this weekend.
The Blues recently overcame Spurs in the Carabao Cup semi-finals, although their title bid suffered a serious blow as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Brighton in midweek.
Tottenham, meanwhile, extended their league unbeaten run under Conte with a frenetic 3-2 win over Leicester. Spurs trailed 2-1 heading into the fifth minute of stoppage time before a quick-fire brace from Steven Bergwijn snatched victory from the jaws of defeat for Tottenham.
The meeting between Chelsea and Spurs at the bridge on Sunday evening would be the third meeting between both sides in the past 3 weeks.
Chelsea have the upper hand presently winning all meetings between both sides this season with an aggregate score of (6-0).
The last two victories Thomas Tuchel’s side have recorded against their London rivals has seen the German change shape from his usual 3-4-2-1 to 4-4-2.
The huge dilemma currently facing Tuchel’s team right now is the question; “ Do I stick to the winning formula 4-4-2 or return to the tested 3-4-2-1? ”
That is sure to give Tuchel an headache due to the fact he already acknowledged this in his presser leading to the match that both teams already know each other and there would be very few chances of a surprise. Off my analytical mind, it is pertinent he sticks to the 4-4-2 against Spurs at the bridge to ensure he sticks to the wining formula as the popular saying “Never change a winning team”.
The (4-4-2) affords Chelsea the chance to overload the flanks against Spurs’ usually isolated wing-backs and that has proved to be really fruitful in recent games as proved by the total dominance reflected in the aggregate result.
With Antonio mimicking the 4-4-2 formation last time out, Spurs’ center backs were often left isolated against both Lukaku and Werner who were strike partners on that day. The repeat of that could leave Spurs really open and that could lead to an hiding if Lukaku and his strike partner gets their shooting boots on.
The 3-4-2-1 formation on the other hand, could somewhat surprise Conte but that would once again leave Romelu Lukaku isolated.
Analyst’s Opinion:
4-4-2 Formation.
Predicted lineup:
Kepa – Azpilicueta – Rudiger -Silva – Alonso – Kante – Kovacic – Mount – Hudson Odoi – Lukaku – Werner.
Here’s everything you need to know about the London derby this weekend.
How to watch Chelsea vs Tottenham on TV/live stream
When is kick off? Sunday 23 January, 16:30 (GMT)
Where is it being played? Stamford Bridge
What TV channel is it on? Sky Sports Main Event (UK), fuboTV (US), DAZN (Canada)
Highlights? Sky Sports Football YouTube channel, BBC Match of the Day 2
Referee? Paul Tierney
VAR? Darren England
Chelsea team news
Andreas Christensen will return for Chelsea after he previously tested positive for Covid-19 and missed the games against Manchester City and Brighton.
Kepa Arrizabalaga will continue between the posts in the absence of Edouard Mendy at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Trevoh Chalobah is still a doubt with a hamstring strain. Reece James is still a few weeks away from returning and Ben Chilwell is out with a season-ending knee injury.
Tottenham team news
Spurs will be without Son Heung-min after he sustained a muscle injury in the Carabao Cup tie against Chelsea at the beginning of the month.
Cristian Romero and Eric Dier are both expected to miss out, although Tottenham welcomed Steven Bergwijn back into the squad to devastating effect for the midweek win over Leicester.
Chelsea vs Tottenham head-to-head record
Tottenham have not defeated Chelsea in normal time since Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs dumped the Blues out of the League Cup in January 2019.
Eleven meetings have passed since then and Chelsea rammed home their superiority over two legs when the sides met in the Carabao Cup earlier this month.
Tuchel’s men smothered Spurs in the home leg at Stamford Bridge before an Antonio Rudiger header sealed Chelsea’s progression to the final.
Chelsea vs Tottenham score prediction
Chelsea flexed their muscles in dispatching Spurs over two legs in the Carabao Cup. That will offer Tuchel’s side confidence, and their strong home record against Tottenham should make it a difficult afternoon for Conte’s side.
All eyes will be on Romelu Lukaku and whether he can deliver in a big game, while Chelsea should generally be confident of their chances here.
Prediction: Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham
Source : 90min
