Focus Fixture: Tottenham to go back to the top of the table with win over Chelsea

Tottenham have the chance to regain top spot in the Premier League when they take on Chelsea in this week’s Monday Night Football. It’s a fitting way to round off an enthralling weekend of action and we should see an entertaining clash.

The Form

Even the most ardent of Tottenham fans couldn’t have predicted just how well they’d have started this season. Last year was a huge disappointment for the club as they missed out on European football. However, they have benefited from the scarcer fixture list in the early part of this campaign and it has afforded Ange Postecoglou more time on the training pitch.

Since drawing at Brentford on the opening weekend of the Premier League season, Tottenham have won eight of their nine league matches. The only blemish on that record was the 2-2 draw at the Emirates. Spurs showed great character in the draw with their North London rivals to come from behind on two separate occasions and they finished the match in the ascendancy. Tottenham’s win over Liverpool was a source of controversy. VAR failed to overturn an incorrect offside decision which would have given Jurgen Klopp’s men the lead.

The fantastic start meant Ange Postecoglou’s side were top of the tree coming into this weekend’s round of fixtures. Manchester City have taken the chance to move above Spurs but both Arsenal and Liverpool have dropped points. Tottenham can move five points clear of those sides and two above Pep Guardiola’s side with a win here.

Although the results have been sublime, the most impressive thing about Tottenham’s start is the change in style. Spurs have been negative in previous seasons under Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho but Postecoglou has got them playing on the front foot early doors. No side in the Premier League has had more attempts than Tottenham despite the fact they lost Harry Kane on the eve of the season. The England captain has continued to show why he is one of the best in the world at Bayern Munich but Tottenham’s fluid attack has thrived in his absence.

Tottenham will have seldom gone into a game against Chelsea with more confidence in recent years. The Blues have continued to falter since the start of last season and the problems have persisted with four different managers. Todd Boehly and the consortium that took over from Roman Abramovich have been keen to make their mark. Chelsea have spent eye-watering amounts in the transfer window but striking a balance within the squad is proving to be problematic.

Chelsea have won just 14 and lost 20 of their 48 league matches since the start of last season. While the underlying data has improved in the early stages of Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure at Stamford Bridge, there hasn’t been the drastic upturn in form that many Blues would have been hoping for. Chelsea have drastically underperformed their xG and lack a finisher who can finish off their attacking moves. They do look far more solid defensively and have the 4th lowest xGA in the Premier League; slightly less than Tottenham.

All signs point towards a Tottenham win but they have a truly miserable record against Chelsea. Their win in this fixture last season was their first in 13 competitive head-to-heads. They have lost four of the last six home encounters with Chelsea but they will be looking to turn the tide against their rivals with another win here.

The Runners and the Riders

Ryan Sessegnon, Ivan Perisic and Manor Solomon are all ruled out for the home side. Destiny Udogie missed last weekend’s match against Crystal Palace but he is in contention to start here.

Chelsea have had to contend with a plethora of injuries this season. New singings Romeo Lavia and Christopher Nkunku remain out. Ben Chilwell, Trevoh Chalobah and Carney Chukwuemeka are unavailable in defence. Mykhailo Mudryk has returned to full training but it’s unclear whether or not he will play a part here. Cole Palmer picked up a knock in the League Cup so he could be ruled out of this one

What They Said

Ange Postecoglou called on Tottenham fans to show respect to Mauricio Pochettino ahead of the clash. The Australian said, “I doubt there will be anything but respect from anyone at this football club, supporters or people associated, but it doesn’t mean he will get a guard of honour.”

Pochettino divided opinion by admitting he is happy for his former employer. He said “I am so happy for him and the club.” Mauricio has a successful five-year stint at Tottenham but can expect a frosty reception when he returns as Blues boss. 

Bet Builder Tip

This week I’m backing Tottenham to make it consecutive wins over Chelsea for the first time since 2019. Spurs are unbeaten and have won all four of their Premier League matches at home thus far. They have beaten the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool in the process. 

Tottenham’s non-penalty xG is 20.21, which ranks amongst the highest in the league. They are taking on a Chelsea side that have been wasteful this season so they should have enough to extend their good run.

Chelsea are in the bottom half of the table and are low on confidence. Nicolas Jackson has struggled to provide the goals so far this season and I’m backing both teams to score – no as part of our bet builder here.

Ange Postecoglou’s side have kept a clean sheet in two of their four home matches in the league. Just one of the last eight head-to-heads between these sides has seen both teams score in the match. 

Recommended Bet

Tottenham to win & both teams to score - no @ 4.20