Premier League Preview: Chelsea - Tottenham Hotspur

Flying Start For Scolari

It has been an ideal start for new Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari in the Premier League so far. Two games, six points, no goals conceded and now a game against a side that are yet to get off the mark this season, as his team look to an extend a superb run of 84 home league games without defeat.

Things started superbly for Scolari with a 4-0 hammering of Portsmouth in his side’s opening game.

Free-flowing football, goals and entertainment galore saw the press lavish praise on the World Cup winner.

Last week’s 1-0 away victory over Wigan showed some of the qualities more recognisable with Chelsea teams, but, as has been said time and again, the ability to win ugly when you are not playing well is the key to picking up championships.

There are no noticeable weaknesses in Scolari’s Chelsea side, and new additions such as Deco and Jose Bosingwa add flair to a team now rated by the bookmakers’ as favourites to lift this season’s Premier League title. However, this will be Scolari’s first taste of a London derby and he will need to ensure there is no let up in his side’s performance against a side who can beat anybody on their day, as proved by March’s Carling Cup final victory over the Blues.

The former Brazil coach has done his research though, and will have his side fully prepared for the task in hand. Tottenham, after their poor start, represent a wounded animal – a team who could cause problems if they are given a foothold in the game. An early breakthrough could see Spurs’ wounds opened, but even if patience and a competitive battle is required, the early signs indicate that Chelsea are up to the task.

"It is important for Tottenham not to lose another game. They want their first three points in the league so we have some problems to cope with, we know this," Scolari said in his pre-match press conference.

"Tottenham have lost both games and made some mistakes. But this is a big chance for Tottenham because it is a derby. We need to respect them even more."

The respect will be there, but anything other than three more points would represent a disappointing afternoon for the Blues as they look to continue their flying start to the campaign.

Shocking Spurs
 
Although the Dimitar Berbatov saga has over-shadowed Tottenham’s summer, hopes have still been high that Spurs can have a successful season in manager Juande Ramos’ first full year in charge. Vice-captain Robbie Keane moved to Liverpool but the arrivals of the likes of Luka Modric, David Bentley, Heurelho Gomes and Giovani Dos Santos yet again prompted analysts to suggest that Spurs were the most likely side to challenge the established dominance of the Premier League’s ‘big four’.

However, it has been a shocking start for Spurs. Defeat against Middlesbrough on the opening day could have represented an unfortunate defeat in a tricky away clash, but last week’s home loss to Sunderland again highlighted the lack of a midfield general and seemingly ever-present defensive frailties – with the absence of Berbatov and Keane adding a lack of firepower up-front to Ramos’ list of problems.

Tottenham should be fine however, with a first eleven that can rival most in the Premier League and an array of talented players being led by an astute manager - they are a side capable of beating anybody on a good day. However, their inexperience and evident problems ensure that they are unlikely to launch a consistent enough league run to challenge the top four in the near future and perhaps indicate that the best avenues for immediate success lie in cup competitions.

But the league remains crucial for Tottenham and they will be desperate to get off the mark sooner, rather than later. This game in many ways represents a situation where they have nothing to lose. Nobody expects them to triumph against a powerful Chelsea side and Ramos should take the opportunity to attack, something he has hinted could happen in his pre-match comments.

“I think having a game like Chelsea at this time gives us a great chance to lift the spirits. The game plan should be to go there and play with an ambitious attacking style of football without fear," he stated.

Spurs are dangerous opponents for Chelsea in this encounter, but even the most ardent of Tottenham fans will admit that anything they gain from Stamford Bridge tomorrow will be a bonus.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
 
Chelsea – Deco

Deco has made an impressive start to his Chelsea career, earning a man of the match award while scoring in the 4-0 win over Portsmouth on his debut. Last week the Portuguese international enhanced his reputation further with a superb free-kick that proved decisive against Wigan at the JJB Stadium. The ex-Barcelona man will look forward to pulling the strings tomorrow with no real ball-winner to hinder him in the Spurs midfield.

Tottenham – Darren Bent

With Keane gone and Berbatov seemingly going, Darren Bent had his opportunity to announce himself as the man to lead Tottenham this season during the first two league games, following a red-hot pre-season. As yet though, the former Charlton man has failed to take his chance and with Roman Pavlyuchenko now signed for £14 million, the England international is beginning to run out of chances to prove himself to the Spurs faithful.
With Juande Ramos considering playing predominantly with a lone-striker this year, Bent has to take his chance soon and this match on the big stage would be the ideal place to start.

FORM GUIDE
 
Chelsea

August 24 v Wigan (A) WON 1-0
August 17 v Portsmouth (H) WON 4-0
 
Tottenham

August 23 v Sunderland (H) LOST 2-1
August 16 v Middlesbrough (A) LOST 2-1

TEAM NEWS
 
Chelsea

Nicolas Anelka will continue to lead the line for Chelsea as Didier Drogba is still out with a knee injury. The Ivorian is reportedly scheduled to return to training in the coming weeks, but is still said to be some time away from regaining full fitness. Key midfielder Michael Essien started against Wigan last week despite nursing a minor injury and is therefore rated as 50/50 for this clash, as is Germany international Michael Ballack.

Tottenham

Dimitar Berbatov will have another crisis meeting with Spurs boss Juande Ramos ahead of thegame before a decision is made on the Bulgarian’s involvement. Scotland international full-back Alan Hutton is no closer to a return having suffered a stress fracture in his foot, meaning that Didier Zokora will continue to deputise at right-back. It is as yet unclear if new £14 million signing Roman Pavlyuchenko has been registered in time to play a part.

MATCHDAY SQUADS

Chelsea (from): Cech, Cudicini, Hilario, Ivanovic, Alex, Belletti, Bosingwa, Terry, Carvalho, A Cole, Bridge, Ballack, Essien, J Cole, Mikel, Lampard, Deco, Anelka, Malouda, Kalou.

Tottenham (from): Gomes, Cesar, Zokora, Gunter, Assou-Ekotto, Gilberto, Bale, King, Woodgate, Dawson, Modric, Jenas, Huddlestone, O'Hara, Lennon, Bentley, Dos Santos, Berbatov, Bent. 

PREVIOUS STARTING LINE-UPS
 
Chelsea (1-0 Away V Wigan) (4-5-1/4-3-3): Cech, Bosingwa, Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole; Essien, Ballack, Lampard, Deco, Joe Cole, Anelka.

Tottenham (1-2 Home V Sunderland) (4-5-1): Gomes, Zokora, King, Woodgate, Assou-Ekotto; Bentley, Bale, Modric, Lennon, Jenas; Bent.

PREDICTION 

It is hard to see Chelsea’s incredible home record being brought to an end by Spurs tomorrow, but Juande Ramos’ side do have nothing to lose. If both sides are true to their pre-match words then there should be goals in this encounter as Chelsea look to build the early season pressure on their title rivals and the visitors attempt to pick up their first points of the season.

I expect to see an improved Tottenham side tomorrow, one that will not go down without a fight and are likely to test Chelsea’s reserves before the international break. However, the Blues are strong in all areas and should be confident of making it three wins out of three for Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham