Chelsea take on Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League this Saturday and the Blues are really looking down the barrel going into this all-important derby.
The Blues lost to Manchester United last weekend meaning they now hold only a single point lead for the fourth spot on the table meaning if Jose Mourinho’s men were to pick up a win at the Bridge next weekend then Chelsea will fall out of the top-four.
Frank Lampard has been under real pressure during the past couple of months and right now the Blues are winless in their previous four matches, losing two and drawing the other two.
And while it will be a big ask but Chelsea need to pick up a win in this derby since the going will only get tougher from here onwards since they are scheduled to take on the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City the coming few weeks.
Chelsea team news vs Tottenham:
Kepa Arrizabalaga has been benched by Frank Lampard during Chelsea’s past two league matches but we have a feeling that Willy Caballero could once again be named in the first XI vs Tottenham.
Christensen and Rudiger played in central defence vs Manchester United but the former picked up a facial injury which could keep him out of action for the derby in which case Kurt Zouma will partner Rudiger.
Reece James and Azpiliceuta played as the full-backs vs United and the pair should once again start this weekend despite that fact that Chelsea take on Bayern Munich in the Champions League next week.
N’Golo Kante picked up a knock last weekend and was forced to leave the pitch and now Frank Lampard has hinted that the Frenchman could be out for a long time. And this would mean that young Mason Mount would come into the starting line-up against the Lilywhites.
Callum Hudson-Odoi has been recovering from a hamstring injury and there’s a chance that he could make a comeback this weekend against Spurs.
And if this report holds true then surely it will be a huge boost for the Chelsea manager since Christian Pulisic is also on the sidelines with an injury and there’s a big chance that the American international might not be fit in time for the London Derby.
So in case, Hudson-Odoi is fit to play then he will replace Pedro in the attacking third or else the Spaniard is expected to keep his place in the starting line-up.
Michy Batshuayi played upfront vs Manchester United in the absence of the injured Tammy Abraham and it’s fair to say the Belgium international had a really poor outing.
Hopefully, Abraham is deemed full fit before the weekend or else the Chelsea manager could take the bold decision to name Olivier Giroud as his primary centre-forward.
Chelsea’s predicted XI vs Spurs:
Possible starting line-up:Â Kepa/Caballero; Rudiger, Christensen/Zouma, Reece James, Azpilicueta; Jorginho, Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic; Pedro/Hudson-Odoi, Tammy Abraham, Willian.
