Tottenham vs Chelsea Preview and Betting Tips

We were on Liverpool to win to nil vs Milan and after 40 minutes things were looking good. Liverpool utterly dominated and they could easily have been winning 5-0 rather than 1-0. However, AC Milan incredibly scored twice before half-time and were in front at the break. Normal service was resumed in the second half and Liverpool won 3-2. Bar that five minute spell of madness the hosts looked magnificent and the scoreline flattered Milan. The focus switches back to the Premier League now and on Sunday, Tottenham vs Chelsea is the highlight. Check out our preview and betting tip below.

Tottenham

Spurs made a great start to the season, winning their first three matches. All those victories came by the same 1-0 scoreline, including an opening day triumph vs Man City. Nuno Espirito Santo couldn’t have made a much better beginning to his spell in charge of Spurs but their last couple of results have not been quite as good. On their return from the International Break they were hammered 3-0 by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Then, in midweek, they needed a late goal to get a draw at Rennes in the Europa Conference League.

Tottenham’s early results probably painted over some of the cracks they have in their squad. Harry Kane hasn’t looked himself after all the summer speculation about his future. Tanganga’s red card made a difference vs Palace but that happened after an hour and Spurs only managed one shot on target during the entire game. He’ll be suspended on Sunday and Matt Doherty could come in for his first start of the season.

Although Spurs have lacked a spark in the final third at times when they have had possession, they’ll be more comfortable against Chelsea. Santo will set up his team like he did vs Man City in the opener. Spurs will likely defend in a low block, try to soak up the pressure and hit Chelsea on the counter. However, Spurs have been hit by a raft of injuries with Son, Bergwijn, Lucas and Dier all major doubts. At least he should be able to call on Sanchez, Lo Celso and Romero who have returned from quarantine.  

Chelsea

On paper, it looks like Chelsea have made a superb start to their campaign. They sit joint top of the league with 10 points from 12. The only blip so far came in a 1-1 draw at Anfield when they were reduced to 10 men. Tuchel’s side have kept four clean sheets and they look like challenging for all the big trophies this season. However, they have not been that impressive in their last couple of matches, even though they won both.

Against Villa last weekend Edouard Mendy kept them in it during the first half when the visitors were by far the better team. Against Zenit in midweek they didn’t convince either and they needed a 70th minute Lukaku goal to secure a narrow 1-0 win. It is a usually a good sign when teams are winning games without playing to their best and if Chelsea can up their performance levels, they are going to be a tough nut to crack.

Lukaku has made a massive difference since arriving from Inter. His goals have turned matches that Chelsea would have drawn last season into wins and the Spurs defence will need to keep close tabs on the big Belgian striker on Sunday. The Blues will be without the suspended Reece James and the injured Christian Pulisic but they have more than enough depth in their squad to cope with those absentees. Chelsea have a good recent record vs Spurs and they’ll fancy their chances on Sunday.

Tottenham vs Chelsea Possible Lineups

Tottenham: Lloris, Doherty, Sanchez, Romero, Reguilon, Skipp, Hojbjerg, Dele Alli, Gil, Lo Celso, Kane.

Chelsea: Mendy, Rudiger, Silva, Christensen, Azpilicueta, Alonso, Jorginho, Kante, Mount, Havertz, Lukaku.

Tottenham vs Chelsea Betting Tip

Given Spurs’ lengthy injury list and Chelsea’s good recent record in this fixture, it is tough to oppose Thomas Tuchel’s men in this London Derby. The Blues can be backed at odds of 4/6 while the hosts are the rank outsiders at odds of 9/2. However, I am going to look for a bit of value in the player to be shown a card market.

This is likely going to be a defensive display from Tottenham. Santo will be hoping his defence can keep Chelsea at bay and they’ll be under pressure from the outset. It could be a tough afternoon for the Spurs midfield and I think it is worth backing Oliver Skipp to be shown a card.

The young midfielder is not afraid to put his foot in and he has already picked up a couple of yellow cards this season. He could well be tasked with keeping an eye on Mason Mount and the England man is a very tricky customer. Odds of 4/1 are too tempting to refuse about Skipp to be shown a card and that is the recommended bet.

Tottenham vs Chelsea Betting Tip: Oliver Skipp to be shown a card @ 4/1 Bet365

Key Manager Quotes

Nuno Espirito Santo: ” After the Watford game, everything that has happened has not been very good for us. But this is football and we know it’s a moment we have to overcome. Today, we tried to show the players solutions, thinking about the game on Sunday. But it’s about overcoming obstacles. That will make us stronger for the future, for sure.’

Thomas Tuchel: ‘I’m not saying we’re not playing well, we can play better but we are tough to beat. A win helps with atmosphere, keep calm and also be open to criticism. In the moment, I feel everybody is aware that we can do better. We are not really bad but we can do better.’

DaveStevos