Tottenham Hotspur vs. Chelsea Preview, Prediction & Betting Odds (GW10)
Hostilities will be renewed Saturday in a London Derby at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as just three points separate third-place Tottenham and ninth-placed Chelsea.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca will implore his players to exercise discipline and composure ahead of the rivalry match. The Blues have been forced to finish the match with 10 men in six of their last nine fixtures across all competitions.
Premier League Player News & Updates
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Chelsea Head-to-Head Record
Tottenham and Chelsea have met 179 times, dating back to 1909 when Chelsea earned a 2-1 victory over Tottenham in a League Division One matchup at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues lead the all-time series, winning 81 times and drawing on 42 occasions.
More recently, Chelsea dominated Spurs, winning seven of the last 10 Premier League meetings.
Fixture Trivia
Question: What Chelsea player netted a brace in their 2017 FA Cup Semifinal victory over Tottenham?
Gameweek 9 Trivia: Which Brighton player's 2018 goal secured the Seagulls' first top-flight win over Manchester United since 1982?
Betting Odds and Predictions for Tottenham Hotspur vs. Chelsea Match
Premier League Odds Comparisons
Moneyline Odds
DraftKings: TOT +170 Draw +260, CHE +150
FanDuel: TOT +170 Draw +240, CHE +150
BetMGM: TOT +175 Draw +250, CHE +145
Bet365: TOT +170 Draw +250, CHE +150
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RECENT FORM
Tottenham Hotspur (LWDLW) were bounced from the EFL Cup in a midweek loss at Newcastle. Domestically, Spurs earned a high-profile victory at Manchester City earlier this season and have suffered just two defeats to Bournemouth and Aston Villa, respectively.
Chelsea (WLWWW) outlasted Wolverhampton in a frenetic midweek EFL Cup matchup. Across their last five fixtures (all competitions), the Blues have averaged three goals per match and ended the fixture with just 10 men on three separate occasions.
FORMATIONS
Tottenham typically deploy a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation to begin fixtures under Thomas Frank. A key aspect of the Spurs' identity is to establish an organized and aggressive press when out of possession in an effort to hunt for opponent turnovers. When Tottenham opt to sit deep, look for a 4-5-1 shape as they attempt to stunt any fluidity in the opponent midfield. When looking to add mettle to their attack, Frank has pushed his side forward by utilizing a 3-5-2 shape.
Chelsea employ a 4-2-3-1 under Maresca with an emphasis on controlling games by controlling the ball. When in possession, look for a Chelsea full-back to join the attack to create a 3-3-5 look in the opponent's half.
LINEUP NOTES & INJURY NEWS
Premier League Predicted & Confirmed Lineups
Tottenham Hotspur Injury News & Lineup Notes
Tottenham enter their fixture with a host of injuries across the pitch.
Defensively, Radu Dragusin (knee), Kota Takai (foot), and Cristian Romero (groin) have each resumed training with the team, but Saturday's match will likely come too soon for any of them to feature. Dragusin is likely to be held out through November's international break as he recovers from a long-term knee injury, and Takai is anticipated to serve in a depth role upon his return.
Destiny Udogie (knee) has also resumed training and will be a question mark ahead of Saturday's clash. Ben Davies (hamstring) has not yet featured for the club this season and remains weeks away from a potential return.
Further up the pitch, Dominic Solanke (ankle) is progressing slowly in his return, but Saturday's matchup will come to soon. Look for Richarlison to lead the line for Tottenham.
James Maddison (knee), Archie Gray (calf), Dejan Kulusevski (knee), and Yves Bissouma (ankle) are each considered long-term absences.
Chelsea Injury News & Lineup Notes
Chelsea's injury woes are less acute than those of their North London rivals. Nevertheless, Maresca will need to plug holes among his defensive and midfield units.
Benoit Badiashile (strain) has been ruled out through December with a muscle injury, compounding the vacancy left in Chelsea's central defense by Levi Colwill's (knee) long-term knee injury. In Chelsea's midweek victory over Wolverhampton, Tosin Adarabioyo and Josh Acheampong played the full 90 minutes as the center-back pairing. Expect Wesley Fofana to take the place one of Adarabioyo or Acheampong in the starting XI with all three likely to play a role Saturday.
Dario Essugo (thigh) is in the midst of an extended recovery following surgery to repair a thigh problem. His absence has placed greater emphasis on Romeo Lavia being reintegrated into the team and Reece James's ability to display his versatility in midfield when called upon to spell starters Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo.
Cole Palmer (groin) is likely out until after the November international break as the club patiently await their star player's return following a busy "off-season" that included a run to and win in the Club World Cup final.
KEY MATCHUPS
Spurs attack versus Marc Cucurella
The push-and-pull nature of Premier League tacticians will be on full-display Saturday when observing Tottenham's attacking-right flank.
Frank has the decision to deploy the pace and agility of Brennan Johnson, Wilson Odobert or Mohammed Kudus down the right-flank with Pedro Porro supporting with over-lapping runs and balls into the box.
Conversely, Maresca values Cucurella's ability to join the Chelsea midfield when the team possess the ball in the attacking third and quickly recover his defensive positioning once possession is lost.
Fernandez & Caicedo versus Joao Palhinha & Rodrigo Bentancur
Saturday's matchup is likely to uniquely showcase two holding-midfield pairings operating under equally unique instructions from their respective managers.
Palhinha and Bentancur are likely to be deployed in a traditional double-pivot where their primary functions are to protect the backline and transition play forward when possession is won.
Caicedo and Fernandez are likely to serve in he same function as their counterparts when Chelsea are out of possession. When the Blues gain possession, look for Fernandez to push forward into the attack as a Chelsea defender joins the midfield mix.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Pedro Neto's ability to out-run his opponents has strengthened Chelsea's pressing ability. The former Wolverhampton winger routinely creates pressure leading to turnovers in the attacking-third of the pitch. I expect Neto to pressure Tottenham's left-back, presumably Djed Spence and, if available, Udogie, into at least one mistake and create a goal-scoring opportunity for Chelsea. Neto has scored once and assisted twice across his last two league appearances (two starts).
PREDICTED RESULT
Tottenham Hotspur 1 - Chelsea 2
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Tottenham Hotspur: Nov. 8 vs. Manchester United
Chelsea: Nov. 8 vs. Wolverhampton
