Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur meet in a highly-anticipated Premier League clash on Saturday at 5:30pm.
Games between these two sides are already fiery but an extra level of intrigue has been added. Chelsea have won their past two games after enduring a winless run and sit fourth in the table. Tottenham, meanwhile, have finally won their first league game of the season, lifting them out of the relegation zone.
Of course, Tottenham have only ever won one Premier League game at Stamford Bridge, a 3-1 victory in April 2018. Since then, Chelsea have 12 of the past 15 meetings between these two sides. That includes a run of six straight victories over their rivals since 2023.
Chelsea vs Tottenham team news
Chelsea team news
Xabi Alonso has suffered another blow with regards to Reece James. The Chelsea captain has missed their last three league games through various injury issues. And he has now been ruled out until the New Year after undergoing surgery on a knee injury picked up in training. Josh Acheampong is likely to continue at right-back, with Marco Palestra still finding his feet after injury. Malo Gusto is available for selection after illness and provides another option.
There are also doubts over Pep Chavarria on the left, so Jorrel Hato could start, with Levi Colwill and Maxence Lacroix as the centre-backs. There will be a change in goal, though, with Emiliano Martinez ruled out after fracturing his jaw against Everton. Mike Penders replaced him at the Hill Dickinson and will start in goal here.
The rest of the team is likely to stay the same from the win over Everton. Jordan Henderson will partner Moises Caicedo in midfield, with Romeo Lavia and Valentin Barco providing support from the bench. Pedro Neto has shone in recent games on the right and will remain there. Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro will make up the rest of the attack. Jamie Gittens and Emmanuel Emegha are still injured.
Tottenham team news
As well as getting their first win over Coventry City, Tottenham had some good moments with Dejan Kulusevski making his long-awaited return from injury. The Swede won’t be ready to start, but it has been a good boost. Roberto De Zerbi switched to a back three for that game but may revert to a back four, with Pedro Porro available again.
Tosin Adarabioyo is the likely man to fall out of the defence, missing the chance to start against his former club. Conor Gallagher is another former Blue expected to start from the bench, with Archie Gray and Sandro Tonali in the double pivot. Rodrigo Bentancur is still suspended after his red card against Manchester United, while Lucas Bergvall is injured.
Savio and Destiny Udogie are also out injured, as is Mykhailo Mudry — though he would be unable to face his parent club anyway. With the change in formation, Omar Marmoush is likely to switch to the left wing, leaving Dominic Solanke as the sole striker. Mohammed Kudus should start on the right, with James Maddison as the No.10.
Chelsea vs Tottenham predicted lineups
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Penders; Acheampong, Lacroix, Colwill, Hato; Caicedo, Henderson; Neto, Palmer, Rogers; Joao Pedro.
Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Kinsky; Porro, Van de Ven, Van Hecke, Robertson; Tonali, Gray; Kudus, Maddison, Marmoush; Solanke.