Date: Monday 2nd May, 2016
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Kick-off: 20:00 BST
After our worst season in 20 years, bizarrely the title could well be in our hands tonight. Unfortunately, it won’t be our title but it won’t be Spurs’ either if we get our way. It could be a real nail-biter, given our players have been anything but reliable this season – the one saving grace is, above all other games this season, we know they want this one.
Our players, and even the manager have nailed their colours to the mast where this particular game is concerned, so it’s up to them to walk the walk now. Either that, or face seeing the Spurs video released next week.
MANAGER’S VIEWS
Going into tonight’s game, Chelsea interim manager Guus Hiddink says “We desperately want to win the next game, which is Spurs, and then there are massive games against Sunderland, Liverpool and Leicester after that. It’s normal to have scrutiny from the press because you are playing in the limelight. We want to fulfil our obligations now, and in the upcoming games. I cannot guarantee the result but I can guarantee that the effort will be there, and not just on Monday.”
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino meanwhile, says “We can feel a little bit disappointed because the gap behind Leicester is big, but realistically we have a very good, young squad. If it is not possible to win the title this season, we need to try next season. The potential of the club and the squad we have is massive, and the important thing is to build the project and philosophy and to settle the basis. The basis is now very solid and only the future can be brilliant.”
SQUAD NEWS
For Chelsea, Zouma remains a long term absentee, whilst John Terry and Gary Cahill are expected to be available.
For Spurs, Nabil Bentaleb (knee) is injured and Dele Alli is suspended. Eric Dier (concussion) is a doubt
TEAMS
CHELSEA (Possible line-up): Courtois, Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Terry, Rahman, Mikel, Fabregas, Pedro, Willian, Hazard, Costa
TOTTENHAM (Possible line-up): Lloris, Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose, Dier, Mason, Lamela, Dembele, Eriksen, Kane
LAST SEASON
Chelsea 3-0 Tottenham (3rd December 2015)
RECENT FORM
CHELSEA: LDWLLW
TOTTENHAM: WWDWWD
OTHER STUFF
~ Tottenham last won at Stamford Bridge in 1990.
~ Chelsea are unbeaten in this fixture for 25 games, with 17 wins and eight draws.
~ Chelsea are without a win in three games at home in the league
~ Chelsea have kept just one clean sheet in the last 10 league games
~ Tottenham have lost just one of their last 14 league games
~ Tottenham are unbeaten in seven games.
PREDICTION
If only Chelsea had been as predictable this season as our usual results from this fixture, I’d feel a lot more confident than I do.