Chelsea host Tottenham on Tuesday night in a London derby with plenty riding on it for both sides, though for very different reasons.
Chelsea are in desperate need of points after a miserable run of seven league games without a win. Their hopes of reaching Europe took another blow at the weekend when they lost the FA Cup final 1-0 to Manchester City, though eighth place in the Premier League now carries a European spot, giving them a slim lifeline. The problem is they are playing catch up, and having lost their last four home league games, interim boss Calum McFarlane is in danger of overseeing something that has never happened before at Stamford Bridge, namely five consecutive home league defeats.
Tottenham arrive in much better shape. Roberto De Zerbi’s appointment appears to have given the club a lift, and they are now unbeaten in four league games. A win tonight would confirm their top flight safety, while even a draw would all but do it given their superior goal difference over West Ham. Spurs have also won their last two away league games and will fancy their chances of making it three in a row.
History, however, strongly favours the home side. Spurs have won just once in their last 35 away league games against Chelsea and have lost each of their last five top flight meetings between the two clubs.
One to watch for Chelsea is João Pedro, who has been involved in four goals in two career starts against Spurs. For Tottenham, Richarlison has scored his last three Spurs goals away from home and has a habit of opening the scoring against Chelsea. Spurs will be without Xavi Simons, while Chelsea have no fresh injury concerns.
