Chelsea are hoping to extend their winning run to seven games in all competitions when they lock horns with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. The Blues are flying high, having secured three wins in the last three league matches, and a win this weekend could potentially help them reach the top of the Premier League table – a place that belongs to their opponents Tottenham Hotspur at the moment.
The Lilywhites have also enjoyed a strong run of form this season and are yet to be beaten since the opening matchday. It gives Jose Mourinho’s men the ideal momentum as the Portuguese tactician looks to secure a crucial win against his former team on Sunday.
Chelsea Vs Tottenham Hotspur Tactical Preview
Talking Tactics
Chelsea
Chelsea were made to work hard for a narrow win over Rennes in midweek. But manager Frank Lampard is unlikely to make any changes to his 4-3-3 attacking formation that has yielded 22 goals this season – more than any other team in the Premier League so far. The Blues will once again rely on their offensive prowess when they take on Tottenham this weekend.
Tottenham Hotspur
Mourinho, meanwhile, is also expected to continue with a 4-3-3, although it is ideally a 4-2-1-2-1 in possession, with Tanguy Ndombele acting as an auxiliary number ten. The Lilywhites aren’t expected to dominate much possession, but will heavily rely on the offensive output of players like Son Heung-Min, Sergio Reguilon and Steven Bergwijn.
Team News
Chelsea
Chelsea have a clean bill of health heading into this game, giving Lampard the luxury to choose from a variety of players who can provide certain elements to a football match. It will be interesting to see whether or not American international Christian Pulisic will feature though, after being declared fit to play on Sunday earlier this week.
Probable Lineup: Mendy; James, Silva, Zouma, Chilwell; Kovacic, Kante, Mount; Ziyech, Abraham, Werner.
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham, on the other hand, are missing out on the services of Toby Alderweireld but were boosted by the return of Japhet Tanganga and Matt Doherty in midweek while Joe Rodon is also an option. None of these three players are expected to start, however, with Mourinho likely to stick with the same team that started against Manchester City last weekend, with only Davinson Sanchez replacing the injured Alderweireld.
Predicted Lineup: Lloris; Aurier, Sanchez, Dier, Reguilon; Sissoko, Hojbjerg, Ndombele; Son, Kane, Bergwijn.
Key Men
Chelsea
Following a disappointing run of form, Tammy Abraham has once again become a revelation for Chelsea in recent weeks. He has been involved in a total of three goals in the last three matches and is expected to lead the attack once again on Sunday. His pace, work-ethic and understanding with Timo Werner could help the hosts unlock the Tottenham backline.
Tottenham Hotspur
Speaking of Tottenham, they are undoubtedly relying on the services of star striker Harry Kane to provide the goods once again. The Englishman was highly influential in the win over Man City as he provided the assist to Son Heung-Min’s opener. His work-rate and industry, combined with an eye for a defence-threading pass, could spell trouble for the Chelsea defence.
