Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, after clinching wins in their Premier League openers, square off at Stamford Bridge on Sunday in a high-billed clash.
Thomas Tuchel’s men picked up a narrow 1-0 win over Everton on opening day with Jorginho’s spot kick just before the half time whistle securing the three points for his side.
The Blues will look to maintain their winning ways in their second game of the Premier League season but have a stern challenge in the form of local rivals Tottenham Hotspur who got their season underway on a winning note as well.
Spurs shipped four goals past Southampton on home turf with the North Londoners turning out at their brilliant best in a sign of things that all is well for Antonio Conte’s men after a busy transfer window.
Chelsea, meanwhile, will hope for an improved performance this time around with some aspects of Chelsea’s showing in the win over Everton sure to have disappointed their manager Tuchel.
New signings Marc Cucurella and Kalidou Koulibaly are expected to make the starting team sheet for the home side Chelsea while outgoings from the Bridge are likely to be finalized in the later stages of this summer.
This leaves Tuchel with a strong squad to choose from as the newly commenced campaign throws its fair share of challenges for the Chelsea head coach who will look to bridge the gap between his side and the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City.
WHEN AND WHERE?
Date – Sunday 14 August 2022
Time – 3 PM GMT
Venue – Stamford Bridge
Chelsea Premier League Form
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Tottenham Hotspur Premier League Form
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TEAM NEWS
England international Ben Chilwell remains on the comeback trail after a serious knee injury that left him sidelined for the major chunk of the previous campaign.
Tuchel could resort to a precautionary measure and issue a call up to the new boy Cucurella to slot in the left wing-back role for his debut outing in the Chelsea shirt.
Another of Chelsea’s new recruits in Kalidou Koulibaly was withdrawn in the Everton clash with cramp but he is expected to be declared fit to start the upcoming fixture.
There were no fresh concerns on the injury front for Tuchel who will be delighted to have a full-strength squad to choose from against the high-flying Tottenham Hotspur.
KEY BATTLE
Kai Havertz vs Harry Kane
Havertz’s spot in the Chelsea starting XI looks subject to increasing competition from Armando Broja, who is in line to stay put at the Bridge beyond the summer, and will push the former for the central striking role on the team sheet.
With Raheem Sterling and Mason Mount out on the flanks to assist him in the goalscoring adventures, Havertz will be hoping to find his feet sooner rather than later and get the goals coming.
Also Read – Everton could pull out of race to sign Chelsea’s promising forward Armando Broja
For the visitors to west London, Harry Kane remains Tottenham Hotspur’s ever-present dangerman and The Three Lions skipper can make opposing defenses pay for any lapses in their judgment.
MATCH PREDICTION
Chelsea and Spurs look pretty evenly matched on paper to us and we expect Sunday’s fixture between the two teams to finish in a draw.
Chelsea 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur
