Bergvall could come back inplaceholder image
Bergvall could come back in | Getty Images
A look at the predicted XIs for the London derby between Tottenham and Chelsea.
Tottenham and Chelsea face off in an enticing derby clash on Saturday in North London. Spurs currently have the upper-hand in the Premier League table, sitting in third place, but they are only three points above Chelsea, who lost to Sunderland last weekend to fall behind.
Since then, Chelsea have returned to winning ways, beating Wolves in a chaotic cup tie, while Spurs fell short to Newcastle United, dropping out of the cup in the last 16. This is always a hotly contested derby, and ahead of kick-off, we have rounded up the predicted XIs and what the managers have had to say. We are basing the number of changes off each team’s last Premier League game, given the Carabao Cup involves heavy rotation.
Tottenham predicted XI
Vicario, Spence, Romero, Van de Ven, Porro, Bentancur, Palhinha, Bergvall, Kudus, Johnson, Richarlison.
Romero will come back in having returned from injury, while Udogie may well start off the bench in his return to full fitness. Frank may well return to Bergvall with Xavi Simons not firing currently, while Brennan Johnson is perhaps the most likely option out wide.
Randal Kolo Muani could yet get a start, but Richarlison seems like a safer option in a big game like this, with Muani more likely to come off the bench.
Chelsea predicted XI
Sanchez, Cucurella, Chalobah, Adarabioyo, James, Caicedo, Fernandez, Estevao, Neto, Garnacho, Pedro.
Chelsea will welcome Caicedo back to full fitness, and he will undoubtedly start. In terms of the big decisions, Maresca may well opt for the more senior Tosin Adarabioyo in the heart of defence over Josh Acheampong. Elsewhere, with Mar Guiu not firing currently, the Blues could move Joao Pedro further forward and put the creative Estevao Willian in behind.
There will be a battle for the other wing spot, alongside Pedro Neto, but Maresca is likely to keep faith with Garnacho despite Jamie Gittens scoring earlier this week.
What Thomas Frank has said
Speaking ahead of this one, Spurs boss Frank has said: “Yeah, I think you put it quite right. A game against Chelsea, especially a home game against Chelsea, under the floodlights, is going to be unique and special. I can't wait for it.
“The players are really looking forward to it. It's a fantastic occasion. We need the fans behind us. I know they do everything they can to try to create even more noise, make it this very difficult place to play and as I said before, it's between us and the fans - the best clubs, the best teams, they're united, they're together in good times and bad times.
“We need to perform. We need to create energy. Can we get energy off the fans? Then it's like some positive reinforcement and that’s what we need to create tomorrow. We're really looking forward to it.”
What Enzo Maresca has said
Chelsea boss Maresca said of Spurs ahead of this one: “Tottenham are doing very well. They finished last season winning the Europa League and started this season very well. Also, because it’s a derby, it will be a difficult game.”
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