Chelsea V Tottenham Hotspur – Sunday 20th September

 

Chelsea V Tottenham Hotspur

 

 

Kick-Off: Sunday 20^th September – 16:00 GMT

Venue: Upton Park

 

 

The Manchester derby may eclipse this London derby somewhat but it’s down to both sets of players to make this one of many London derby’s a match to remember as high flying Chelsea entertain Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge in a match that promises to be a thrilling affair in the capital.

 

 

 

Chelsea

 

League Position: 1st

Recent Form: WWWWW

 

 

Chelsea maintained their immaculate start to the season with yet another victory at the weekend. However, although they eventually got the job done against Stoke City, winning a hard fought encounter at The Brittania 2-0, Chelsea did show signs of weakness in that game and ones that Harry Redknapp will be eager to exploit. For the first time this season, Chelsea were left frustrated in front of goal, with the half-a-dozen clear cut chances they did created wasted by their striking duet of Nicolas Anelka & Didier Drogba. However, the result was the only thing that mattered and Carlo Ancelotti will spent more time on the training pitch this week in a bid to get Chelsea’s forward line finely tuned ahead of a tricky London derby.

 

The Chelsea dressing room must be buzzing right now. Not only have they made the best possible start to the new Premiership season but they also got off to a winning start in the Champions League in midweek, seeing off a dangerous FC Porto team 1-0 on the night. However, once again, Chelsea did show signs of possible weaknesses and flaws, but this time it came in the form of their midfield and defence. Porto carved Chelsea open on several occasions, with Porto’s lack of quality forwards their let down. However, Tottenham have an inform Jermaine Defoe at their disposal and the Chelsea defence will need to up their game dramatically if they are to keep Tottenham at bay.

 

A positive for Ancelotti, after securing the right result on Tuesday, is that Didier Drogba & Jose Boswinga will be fresher after they missed the tie with FC Porto through suspension. To add to Ancelotti’s armoury, Joe Cole is back in the fray and he could make his first appearance for Chelsea this season, albeit probably from the bench as Florent Malouda has been a reformed player in the last six months or so. Cech doesn’t look his normal, reliable self and that will be a concern as Tottenham have some sharp players in the final third.

 

 

Tottenham Hotspur

 

League Position: 4th

Recent Form: WWWWL

 

  

Were it not for their recent defeat at home to Manchester United, this could be the clash of the immaculate two. Tottenham had won all four of their opening fixtures in the league before United came to town, and, gave Spurs a right good spanking it has to be said. It’s now down to the manager to revitalise the Tottenham ranks as a win at Stamford Bridge, over their London rivals, would certainly make up for their weekend woes against United.

 

  

Despite their latest defeat, Tottenham still find themselves in the top four after an impressive start to the campaign. Although that defeat did put an end to their decent home record, they’ve got a 100% away record to keep intact after victories away at Hull City & West Ham United. However, Tottenham conceded in both those games and Chelsea will latch onto Tottenham’s apparent defensive frailties, with an inform Drogba ready to pounce on any gift wrapped chances Tottenham may hand them.

  

Tottenham are well equipped to give Chelsea a few scares here and we would actually be very surprised were Tottenham not to break through Chelsea’s rather shaky rearguard. Jermaine Defoe has been on fire for both club and country and Harry Redknapp will be relying on him to produce the early spark needed to really put the wind up Chelsea. Who will partner Defoe? Well, we would second guess Harry Redknapp and say Robbie Keane will get another run out but surely a game of this magnitude needs someone like Peter Crouch. No one knows how to handle this lad, and his height gives Tottenham something different in the final third, especially as Spurs have an inform Aaron Lennon down the right whipping in some dangerous crosses.

 

 

Head-to-Head:

 

 

Chelsea W: 5 Tottenham W: 2 Draws: 3

 

 

Chelsea will be confident of getting the right result as they’ve dominated recent meetings. However, Tottenham have closed the gap on the Blues with a draw at Stamford Bridge last season and a victory back at White Lane. However, Tottenham have failed in their previous nine attempts to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, with last season the closest theyve come to recording a rare victory at the bridge for some time.

 

 

 

 

Over 2.5 Goals: 7 Under 2.5 Goals: 3

 

It’s no surprise that goals come at a premium whenever these two clash. Just one of the previous five encounters at Stamford Bridge have featured three or more goals, with the last four clashes at the Bridge all being low scoring, tight affairs. They last two encounters on Chelsea turf have both finished with two goals, the last finishing 1-1 and the season before ending 2-0 in Chelsea’s favour.

 

 

 

Match Verdict: Chelsea to WIN – ½ Bet365

 

Although we do fancy Tottenham’s chances of giving Chelsea a run for their money, the sheer class and strength in depth of the Chelsea squad should come through what is a very difficult fixture. The fact that Didier Drogba missed Chelsea’s midweek clash with Porto is a massive positive for Carlo Ancelotti as a fresh Drogba is just too scary to contemplate. I wouldn’t like to be in the Spurs defence this weekend as they will need to have their wits about them with Drogba looking to bolster his league goal tally. He will be the key players in this game, while the usual suspects of Frank Lampard & Nicolas Anelka will of course having something to say, also.

 

 

 

Match Odds:

 

Chelsea –1/2 Bet365

 

Tottenham Hotspur – 7/1 Coral

 

Draw – 10/3 totesport

 

 

 

SoccerBetting Tip: Didier Drogba to Score Anytime – 11/10 Bet365