The State of Play
While much of the pre-match talk will centre on the return of Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino to Tottenham, that diverts attention away from an important game for both teams.
Spurs head into the weekend as league leaders although they may have slipped as low as fourth by kick-off. Ange Postecoglou has had a transformational effect on the club following his move from Celtic and a win against Pochettino and Chelsea would cement his position as the new fans’ favourite.
Chelsea appeared to have turned the corner following a difficult start to the season with wins against Fulham and Burnley and a hard-fought draw with Arsenal. But last weekend’s 2-0 setback at home to Brentford was a momentum killer.
Avoiding defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium would get them back on track and dent the progress of their North London rivals.
Team News
Tottenham have a slight issue at left-back with Ben Davies rated “touch and go” due to an ankle injury while Destiny Udogie is 50-50. That may mean Emerson Royal, a right-back, has to shift across as he did for the second half at Crystal Palace.
Chelsea captain Reece James returned for the midweek EFL Cup game with Blackburn and is likely to retain his place. Striker Armando Broja might be fit enough for a place on the bench while Ukraine winger Mykhailo Mudryk has returned to training.
Expected line-ups
Tottenham: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Emerson; Bissouma, Sarr; Kulusevski, Maddison, Richarlison; Son
Chelsea: Sanchez; James, Thiago Silva, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Sterling, Gallagher, Palmer; Jackson
What they said
Ange Postecoglou on Mauricio Pochettino’s return to Tottenham
“His work is unquestionable. Everyone I speak to here, the people who worked with him, can’t speak highly enough of him as a manager or as a person. I doubt there would be anything but respect for Mauricio from anyone at this football club, by supporters or people associated with it.
“That doesn’t mean he’s going to get a guard of honour because we want to win. I don’t think he would expect that. His tenure here will stand the test of time. Whatever people think of his time here, they will look at his time here with fondness and respect.”
Mauricio Pochettino on whether Tottenham are title challengers
“Yes, I think so. They are doing a fantastic job. Ange and the coaching staff, who I know very well are doing great.
“Of course they can be contenders. They are showing the quality to be contenders.”
Prediction
This is a great test of Spurs’ Premier League title aspirations against a side that have shown signs of life in recent weeks – bar the game against Brentford.
Pochettino will be desperate to take something away and he will get his wish in an entertaining score draw.
