In-form Chelsea travel north to face bitter rivals Tottenham on Sunday, as they look to continue their fine start to the season. Spurs had started the season with three wins out of three, but were given a reality check last week at Palace. They’ll be looking to get their season back on track against their nemesis Chelsea. Tottenham have won just 7 of the 58 league games between the two, their lowest against any opposition. But with a whole host of injuries to first teamers, Nuno EspÃrito Santo has some work to do for this one.
When: Sunday, 19th August, 4:30 PM (BST)
Where: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
How to watch in India: The match will be broadcasted on Star Sports Select 2/HD, and streamed on Hotstar VIP
Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea: H2H
Played: 58
Tottenham: 7
Draw: 20
Chelsea: 31
Opta Stats
- Tottenham have conceded more Premier League goals against Chelsea (103) than they have versus any other opponent, while they’ve only lost more games in the competition against Man Utd (36) than against the Blues (31).
- Chelsea have won their last two Premier League away games against Tottenham, as many as in their previous 13 visits (D5 L6). They last won three in a row at Spurs between April 2004 and August 2005.
- Chelsea have won each of their last five away league London derbies – they’ve never won six in a row on the road before in their league history.
- Only twice before have Tottenham started a Premier League campaign with three home wins out of three, doing so in 2000-01 and 2002-03. Spurs have won eight of their last 10 league games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (L2), keeping six clean sheets in the process.
- Chelsea have kept a clean sheet in 61% of their Premier League games under Thomas Tuchel (14/23) – it’s the best clean sheet ratio any manager has at a specific club in the competition’s history (min. 10 games).
Team News
Japhet Tanganga’s red card last week means he is suspended, while Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring) is out. Son Heung-min (calf) and Eric Dier (dead leg) are major doubts for Nuno, while Lucas Moura and Steven Bergwijn also limped off in midweek. South American trio of Davinson Sánchez, Giovani Lo Celso and Christian Romero could be in contention.
Chelsea are handed a major boost as Thomas Tuchel confirmed N’Golo Kanté will be back in the squad. The Frenchman has returned to training following an ankle injury. Only Christian Pulisic (ankle) is out for this clash.
Prediction
It’s a battle of two pragmatic coaches, so we can expect a cagey affair. The difference between two teams is the set of players. You could bank on Chelsea getting a clean sheet against anybody, not least against a struggling Tottenham. Spurs have scored just three league goals, and have had issues creating chances despite having Harry Kane back. It’s not like Chelsea are prolific, they just make most of their chances, as was seen against Aston Villa. In a tight encounter, the Blues will edge it with a clean sheet.
Prediction: Tottenham 0-1 Chelsea