Tottenham will be travelling to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea on Saturday 26th November 2016 in a game which will be the ultimate test of their resolve to keep their unbeaten record in the Premier League intact. Chelsea lead Spurs by 4 points and are in a run of six consecutive wins in the league which also coincides with the six consecutive shutouts at the back.
Tottenham have a terrible record at Stamford Bridge with their last win coming in the year 1990. Since then, the Lilywhites haven’t tasted a victory against Chelsea at the Bridge returning home without maximum points in their last 29 visits. Here’s how the London club can turn their fortunes in their 30th visit to the ground.
Disrupt The Defensive Shape Of The Back Three
It is true that the Chelsea back three is yet to concede a goal in the Premier League since the loss at Arsenal showing terrific resolve and improvement but Tottenham can get them into trouble if they can draw them out of their zone with good movement from their forward players.
Spurs rested some of their players in midweek so that they can be fresh for the tie and in perfect Pochettino style, working very hard continuously swapping places the Spurs attackers can do the damage unlocking the watertight defence of Antonio Conte’s side.
Choke Hazard
Chelsea’s main man, Eden Hazard, is on fire and it is not a surprise that he can take the game away from any opposition when measures are not taken to stifle him out. From initiating lightning quick counter attacks to carving out openings when least expected, the Belgian cannot be afforded any sort of space or time on the ball and must always be marked in such a way so that even with the shift in position he is always under extra pressure whenever a pass is played to him. Nullifying Hazard would exponentially increase the chances of a positive result for Tottenham.
Maintain The Work rate Throughout The Match
The most important thing for the visitors would be to maintain their workrate until the last minute of the game and not just the first 45 minutes. Last season, after playing excellently in the first half, racing to a two-goal lead, Spurs dropped their level in the second and as a result, their title hopes were crushed with Chelsea scoring two goals and making it all square again.
This time they should use the experience of last year and get the job done more professionally and more shrewdly by not overexerting them in the first half so that they have enough remaining in the tank to keep up in the next 45 minutes.
