LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 14: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur shoots and misses during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on August 14, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)Preview
The London derby between Tottenham and Chelsea is set for this Sunday. Spurs are far ahead of their free-spending rivals in the Premier League’s top four despite a season that has sometimes appeared on the verge of collapse.
Graham Potter is facing mounting pressure with the Blues, and last week’s home losses to Southampton, who are currently in last place, caused large sections of the fan base to turn against the manager.
It will be interesting to watch how the Blues board responds to yet another setback given the intense emotions that this particular matchup elicits.
The absence of Newcastle and Manchester United from Premier League play this weekend would help those teams further secure their spots in the top four with three victories.
The Blues continue to struggle in front of goal, with just one scored in their past five matches. Spurs, while also struggling for consistency with four wins and four losses in their eight most recent games. They picked up a comfortable home win against West Ham last weekend, helping them to move back into the top four.
Form Guide: Tottenham
Last weekend’s 2-0 victory over West Ham at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium by Antonio Conte’s squad confirmed my confidence in the home team to earn all three points.
Tottenham have moved ahead of Newcastle into fourth place as the fight for Champions League qualifying heats thanks to their victory and other teams’ performances.
Spurs will want to strengthen their hold on fourth place with a victory against capital neighbors Chelsea while the Magpies are engaged with League Cup final business this weekend.
Trying to predict which version of Tottenham will show up every weekend is a fool’s errand, but Spurs are now on the brink of winning three successive Premier League home games with clean sheets for the first time since 2019, and not since December 2021 have the Lilywhites drawn a league match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Conte will no doubt be keeping a watchful eye on proceedings from his Italian base this weekend, having been at the center of a heated exchange with Thomas Tuchel back in August’s Stamford Bridge draw, but the German’s replacement is falling victim to the poisoned chalice.
Form Guide: Chelsea
After Chelsea’s dismal 1-0 loss to bottom-dwelling Southampton last weekend, some Chelsea supporters have been calling harder and louder for Graham Potter to be fired. But the Blues board continues to have trust in the Englishman who is under siege.
Southampton depended on a classic James Ward-Prowse free kick to win at Stamford Bridge, which prompted boos from the home fans that could be heard all around the city at the final whistle. Southampton had just fired their manager.
After going four games without a victory in the Premier League, Chelsea is trapped in mid-table mediocrity in 10th position, 11 points behind their next opponents. Todd Boehly is allegedly still supporting Potter, even if several board members disagree with him.
However, the Englishman can only claim a meager three victories from his last 16 matches in charge of the Blues, who will not move up the rankings regardless of what happens this weekend, and scored just three goals in their last nine games across all competitions is simply unacceptable for a team of Chelsea’s caliber.
How the game could go
Spurs’ recent performance at the Tottenham Stadium has deteriorated after they enjoyed a great home run in which they won 11 of 12 domestic Premier League games between March and October of last year. Four of their most recent seven home games have ended in losses. Yet, consecutive victories against Man City and West Ham have raised Spurs’ prospects of making the CL qualifying spots.
Although Chelsea entered this match almost 11 points behind Spurs, a top-four finish now appears implausible. With a game in hand, a victory here would resurrect their very disappointing season.
Potter’s team will need to make rapid progress if they are to be competitive in the remaining weeks of the season, though, since they have lost their previous seven away Premier League games.
Betting Predictions
Tottenham to Win
Although Graham Potter’s team is truly trying to establish any type of form, and though Spurs don’t have the finest previous records against Chelsea, pressure is still mounting on the former Brighton manager. Our initial Tottenham vs. Chelsea prediction focuses on the outcome. A side that struggles to score goals, Chelsea has been in particularly bad form lately, losing two and drawing three of their previous five games in all competitions. Tottenham, on the other hand, has triumphed in four of its most recent six league and cup games and is especially strong at home, which is why we are picking a home victory this weekend. Bet9ja have 2.55, 1xbet have 2.58 and Paripesa have 2.58 odds.
Under 2.5 goals
We’re focusing on the combined goals scored by both sides for our second Tottenham vs. Chelsea forecast. Given that three of the past four encounters between these two teams have ended with under 2.5 goals, there is a significant likelihood that this game will have a low-scoring final result. Our forecast has a lot of support because Chelsea’s past six matches overall and each of Tottenham’s last four have seen fewer than three goals scored. Bet9ja have 1.78 odds, Paripesa have 1.86, and 1xbet have 1.86 odds.
Anytime Goalscorer (Tottenham)
Harry Kane
Kane continues to lead from the front for Tottenham this season and if anyone is going to be a match-winner in Sunday’s game then you wouldn’t bet against the Spurs talisman. With 17 goals in the Premier League alone this season, Kane is by far and away the main source of goals for the Londoners. The 29-year-old has scored 5 goals in his last 10 outings for Spurs in all competitions but is due a goal after failing to score in his last three appearances. We expect this game to be very close and competitive but believe that Kane will be involved in one way or another, scoring or assisting against Chelsea. Bet9ja have 2.60 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 2.40.
Son
After sharing the Premier League’s Golden Boot with Mohamed Salah last season, the South Korean has struggled for form at times. With just one goal in 20 starts this campaign, Son might have found the perfect role for himself right now as an impact substitute, having scored four goals in two such appearances including against West Ham last time out. He will be fit to start and he provides a good alternative to Harry Kane up front Bet9ja have 3.65 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 3.60.
Anytime Goalscorer (Chelsea)
Sterling
It does seem almost bizarre, with the plethora of attacking options at their disposal, why Chelsea is struggling in front of goal. A return to action will be that of Raheem Sterling, who’s endured an injury-blighted start to his life at the club. His appearance against Southampton last Saturday came from off the bench and arguably produced the best opportunity. He couldn’t add to the four goals he’s scored in the Premier League so far this campaign, but that’s still good enough to be the club’s second-top scorer in the competition. Bet9ja have 3.75 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 4.60.
Football Lover. All-round junkie of the beautiful game. Could be found watching football most of the time. If not he’s writing about them or making some punditry you don’t agree with. A certain bias for Arsenal and Santos FC.
