Thomas Tuchel’s high-flying Chelsea make the travels to city rivals Tottenham Hotspur for this weekend’s action in the Premier League at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Blues made the most of their midweek contest in the Champions League against Zenit at Stamford Bridge in a game that finished 1-0 courtesy of a second-half strike from the new boy Romelu Lukaku.
Spurs endured a horrid outing last time around in league action with Nuno’s men being handed a shock defeat at the hands of a struggling Crystal Palace outfit who walked away with a 3-0 win against their much bigger name opponents.
Chelsea will be backed to do the job when squaring up against the North London giants come Sunday but Thomas Tuchel will be aware that an under-fire Spurs side will hope to return to winning ways.
An unbeaten start to the 2021-22 campaign is on the line for Thomas Tuchel and Co. with the Stamford Bridge giants looking solid on all fronts when turning out on the pitch in spite of some concerns on the injury front.
France international N’Golo Kante and American wide man Christian Pulisic have both been notable absentees for Chelsea post the recent international break but the Blues have marched on to successive wins while the duo have been on the sidelines.
Chelsea head into the contest as the favourites but few would count out Spurs against springing up a surprise on their own patch when playing hosts to rivals from across the capital city.
WHEN & WHERE?
Date: Saturday 19 September
Time: 2 PM GMT
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
TEAM NEWS
Midfield maestro N’Golo Kante will be in line for a much-awaited return for the Blues after enduring an ankle injury for a number of weeks.
Christian Pulisic remains an injury concern for Thomas Tuchel who will have to do with his other options in the attacking department.
There could be a first start of the season on the cards for England international Ben Chilwell who has had to wait in the wings of late with Marcos Alonso the go-to man for Tuchel in the left wing-back role.
KEY BATTLE
Harry Kane vs Romelu Lukaku
Spurs talisman Harry Kane had his future at the club subject to much talk in this summer’s transfer window with Chelsea also credited with an interest in landing the England skipper.
But with Kane staying put with the North Londoners, he will be backed to make a major impact in front of the goal and his recent blank against Palace could provide him with the fire to turn up at his best on Sunday.
Red hot Rom. đ„@RomeluLukaku9 | #UCL pic.twitter.com/TKHlZoI5HH
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 16, 2021
Romelu Lukaku, the Stamford Bridge returnee, remains Chelsea’s main man on the pitch and with goals on the run for the Belgian, Tuchel will be counting on his summer marquee signing to deliver another brilliant showing.
MATCH PREDICTION
Chelsea are the strong favourites for Sunday’s contest at the North London Stadium and we expect the Blues to maintain their unbeaten start to the new season with another win on the trot.
Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Chelsea
