Key events
Enzo Maresca talks to Sky after including Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson in his starting XI. Has he missed Jackson (hooo)? “Nico is very important for us, not only the goals and assists, also off the ball. With him, we press aggressively. We have missed a lot of players but now they are back for the end of the season.”
On the top-five race: “It’s how we manage the emotion, if we win or lose a game, seeing teams go ahead of you … we are there, we’re going to be there at the end and want to bring this club back to where it has to be.”
“With Chelsea vying for a European spot and Spurs battling for an Australian’s place in the dugout, this Cockney clash has the feel of an international night,” writes Peter Oh. I should warn you – I’ve already had words from a disgruntled, West-Ham-following colleague about calling either of these teams Cockneys.
Team news
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sánchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernández (c); Neto, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson.
Subs: Jörgensen, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Acheampong, James, Dewsbury-Hall, Madueke, George, Nkunku.
Tottenham (4-3-3): Vicario; Spence, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bergvall, Bentancur, Maddison; Odobert, Solanke, Son (c).
Subs: Kinsky, Porro, Davies, Gray, Bissouma, Sarr, Moore, Johnson, Tel.
Pre-game reading
Preamble
From the Cockney Cup Final to the Battle of the Bridge, Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur is a rivalry that rarely disappoints. The Blues’ last two trips to Spurs have seen them win 4-1 and 4-3, punishing two of the Angiest performances of their rivals’ Postecoglou era.
Tottenham’s permanently embattled manager needs a win, but must try and get it done at a ground where Spurs have won just once in the league since 1990. Having finished three points clear of Chelsea last term, Postecoglou’s side are 15 points adrift as it stands, playing out their games while Enzo Maresca’s team chase a top-five finish.
Despite that, there’s a debate to be had over which of these two coaches is more popular with the fans. Postecoglou remains loved and admired by a significant chunk of Spurs fans, with anger at their plight trained on Daniel Levy. Maresca, meanwhile, appears to be tolerated rather than cherished by Chelsea fans.
In fact, the Italian is only a couple of rungs below his opposite number in the “sack race” betting, with his team drifting from surprise title contenders. Chelsea can go back up to fourth with a win tonight, and shake off the nagging doubt that they lack the extra gear many of their top-five rivals are deploying with the season’s end in sight.
Kick-off is at 8pm. Will anyone actually enjoy it? We’ll find out.
