What: English Premier League
Who: Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur
When: Saturday 24th March, 2012, at 12:45 UK Time
Where: Stamford Bridge, London, England
Losing Touch with Fourth?
Roberto Di Matteo enjoyed a good start to life managing Chelsea and guided the Blues to four wins in a row, but after defeat to Manchester City on Wednesday night, the side the Italian is taking temporary charge of are now five points adrift of Tottenham in fourth place. This clash is now a key battle for the Champions League, with a win for Chelsea meaning the gap between the two sides would close to two points and place yet more pressure on Harry Redknapp’s men.
It is hard to know what to make so far of the Di Matteo’s brief tenure. Victories over Stoke, Leicester and Birmingham would probably have been achieved by Portuguese tactician Andre Villas-Boas, while the 4-1 win over Napoli, though an impressive show of character, had as much to do with the Serie A side’s defensive errors than anything Chelsea did.
What is not in doubt is that Chelsea need a significant improvement in their form in the Premier League. Progress in the cups is one things – Chelsea are also in the FA Cup semi-final – but the Blues have taken nine points from eight games and to keep touch with Tottenham and Arsenal that has to change – and fast.
Seeking a Return to Winning Ways
Tottenham have endured a nightmare run of form, though they have reason to feel hard done by. Dominating performances against Manchester United and Everton saw Spurs claim a total of zero points, and then the horrors of last weekend at White Hart Lane clearly had an effect at the start of the side’s match against Stoke in midweek Premier League action.
Though players can be forgiven for having their minds elsewhere after being witness to the shock of seeing Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba suffering a cardiac arrest last weekend, watching London rivals Arsenal overtake them for third may spark Spurs back to form. It certainly seemed to have done that for Gareth Bale, who played like a man possessed in the second period against Stoke and was unfortunate not to score. It was his cross that rescued a point in injury time and that ensured Redknapp’s men avoided the ignominy of a fourth successive loss.
This game though now takes on new resonance. Defeat could see Spurs fall four points adrift of Arsenal, who were 10 points behind the White Hart Lane outfit a month ago. But right now the two North London sides are in a battle for third place and automatic group stage Champions League qualification, with Chelsea falling out of sight. If Spurs lose here however, they will suddenly find themselves thinking not of Arsenal, but of Chelsea, and whether they will even finish fourth.
Recent form
Chelsea:
Chelsea 4-1 Napoli [AET] (14/03; Champions League)
Chelsea 5-2 Leicester City (18/03; FA Cup)
Manchester City 2-1 Chelsea (21/03; Premier League)
Tottenham Hotspur:
Everton 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur (10/03; Premier League)
Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Bolton *match abandoned (17/03; FA Cup)
Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Stoke City (21/03; Premier League)
Key absences
Chelsea: Branislav Ivanovic (doubt); Oriol Romeu
Tottenham Hotspur: Aaron Lennon (doubt); Heurelho Gomes; Michael Dawson; Tom Huddlestone
Players to watch
Chelsea – Juan Mata: Chelsea need points and that means they need goals. Arguably their best and most consistent player this season has been a Villas-Boas signing, Mata, whose 11 assists and five goals have been key. Chelsea need to do more than just control the game; the Blues need to carve open the Tottenham defence, which has looked suspect of late. The Spaniard is their best bet to do just that.
Tottenham Hotspur – Scott Parker: If Parker is at his best, he can do much to win Tottenham the match. His style, at times all-action and that of a classic ball winner, at others that of a deep lying playmaker keeping the ball moving, makes him one of the best all round midfielders in the Premier League. Parker will need to work hard to prevent Mata finding space as well as to dominate, with Luka Modric, the central midfield battle. If he can do that, Spurs could enjoy much of the possession and territory – that will be crucial if Tottenham want to leave Stamford Bridge with a win.
Match Prediction
Chelsea’s style has swayed between a high pressing and attacking system and a more defensive, pragmatic Jose Mourinho-style approach this season. The firing of Andre Villas-Boas seems to have brought out Chelsea’s more pragmatic nature and it would not be a shock to see them sit deep against Tottenham and look to hit the visitors on the break.
Without Aaron Lennon, Tottenham recently have shown they can be squeezed in the middle of the pitch, with Bale denied space as teams realise they can focus on his side of the pitch without a natural winger on the other. Yet the skill and work rate of Scott Parker and Luka Modric should be able to overpower Chelsea’s ageing midfield, which can be overrun at times. And though Spurs lose the balance that made them so impressive earlier in the season without Lennon, Chelsea are probably the team this will matter against least. The narrow shape Chelsea play means that Tottenham may find more space than they have against other teams in recent weeks.
A creaky defence has been a feature of Chelsea’s season, and the tension expected in a game of such high stakes will likely make this a tight encounter. Chelsea can struggle to break down opponents as they lack pace in wide areas, which should only encourage Spurs’ energetic full backs. Though they have been in poor form and morale has been dented, Tottenham have the players to win the individual and tactical battles, and come away from Stamford Bridge with three crucial points. Chelsea 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur.
This Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur clash could be crucial to each side. Who will win? Make sure you visit OLBG for tips and to compare the current odds and betting markets available at all the important bookmakers.
