Chelsea v Tottenham – Preview, Predictions, and Best Bets

Chelsea face Tottenham in the English Premier League on Thursday. The Blues have lost just one of their last 18 matches at home but they have 14 injuries for this match. Spurs have lost three of their last six league fixtures.

Chelsea Form

Chelsea’s last seven matches have yielded just two victories. A poor 2-2 home draw vs ten-man Burnley preceded a 4-3 home victory vs Man Utd with two very late goals scored. A late goal leak led to a 2-2 draw at bottom-placed Sheffield United.

The Blues then thrashed Everton 6-0 at home as Cole Palmer scored four goals. Chelsea then lost 1-0 to a tired Man City in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley. The lowest point of the season followed in a 5-0 drubbing at Arsenal before drawing 2-2 at Aston Villa on Sunday. Chelsea came from 2-0 down and outshot Villa 21-9 with 71% possession.

Chelsea Team News

Mauricio Pochettino has 14 players ruled out. Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill, Ben Chilwell, and Malo Gusto remain injured at the back. Thiago Silva and Axel Disasi have joined them in missing this match so Alfie Gilchrist could start.

In midfield, Enzo Fernandez and Romeo Lavia are ruled out. Raheem Sterling and Christopher Nkunku will play no part in the attack.

Chelsea Motivation

The Blues see Spurs as perhaps their biggest rivals and will give everything to win this match.

With the injury crisis, there is not much to change the game from the bench. Chelsea will struggle here if they fall behind.

Tottenham Form

Spurs had won eight of 11 league matches to position themselves well in the top-four race. However, three losses in the last six fixtures means they have only a small chance of qualifying for next season’s Champions League. After winning 4-0 at Aston Villa, they lost 3-0 at Fulham.

They needed a late goal to beat Luton 2-1 and could only draw 1-1 at West Ham. A 3-1 home win vs Nottingham Forest seemed to get them back on track, but two losses have followed. They were destroyed 4-0 at Newcastle before losing 3-2 at home to Arsenal. They trailed 3-0 in that match despite performing relatively well throughout.

Tottenham Team News

Spurs are without Timo Werner on the left wing. One of Richarlison or Brennan Johnson will take his place. Fringe wingers Manor Solomon and Ryan Sessegnon are injured.

Destiny Udogie and Ben Davies are both absent at left-back with injuries. Emerson Royal is set to deputise in that role.

Tottenham Motivation

Spurs have to win to keep their vague top-four hopes alive. They will be very motivated against one of their biggest rivals.

Postecoglou will play a very attacking style as always. Tottenham will see Chelsea’s injury crisis and take encouragement that they can score a few goals.

Key Stats

Chelsea have 1 clean sheet in their last 17 matches (35 goals leaked)

Chelsea’s Cole Palmer has scored 23 goals this season

Chelsea have lost 1 of their last 18 matches at Stamford Bridge

Tottenham have lost 3 of their last 6 league matches

Tottenham have seen over 2.5 goals scored in 15 of their last 16 EPL matches

Tottenham have conceded in 23 of their last 26 matches (45 goals conceded)

Verdict

This match promises to have goals with both teams leaking regularly. Tottenham won’t get a better chance to win at Stamford Bridge with 14 Chelsea players injured, including seven defenders.

Best Bet: Over 3.5 goals at 1.74
Value Bet: Tottenham win at 2.80
Goalscorer Tip: Cole Palmer and Richarlison to both score anytime at 5.31
High-Value Bet: Both Teams to Score in Both Halves at 5.75

James O'Connor

James is a football analyst who writes about the tactics of the PSL and English Premier League. He holds the UEFA A coaching licence and has previously worked for several clubs in analysis roles.Twitter: https://twitter.com/footy_analysis