Tottenham are preparing for high-stakes London derby vs. Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Results elsewhere could not have gone better for Tottenham Hotspur this gameweek, with Roberto De Zerbi’s side handed a massive favour in their battle to avoid relegation.
The latest boost came in the form of West Ham’s defeat to Newcastle United on Sunday. The Hammers lost 3-1 at St James’ Park, failing to leapfrog Tottenham into 17th spot in the table. A victory would have helped them do that, but now Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are on the brink of relegation.
That now means Roberto De Zerbi’s Tottenham need just a point from their final two games of the season to secure their Premier League safety. The Lilywhites take on bitter rivals Chelsea on Tuesday evening, and they’d want to seal their top-flight status at Stamford Bridge.
Roberto De Zerbi gives Tottenham team news ahead of the Chelsea game
Several Spurs players have been ruled out for the rest of the season. De Zerbi has been hopeful of having Guglielmo Vicario and Dominic Solanke back for the remaining two games.
Guglielmo Vicario has been sidelined since undergoing hernia surgery over the March international break, with understudy Antonin Kinsky deputising superbly in his absence. The Italian international has missed the last five games after going under the knife, although Vicario was spotted in training over the weekend.
Dominic Solanke, meanwhile, has not played since pulling his hamstring in the first half against Wolves last month. The England international has subsequently missed the last two games, and his involvement for the remainder of the season is now in doubt.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, De Zerbi has provided the latest fitness updates on Vicario and Solanke.
“Vicario is available to play. I’ll decide tomorrow. Solanke is not good yet. Not available. He feels something, and I don’t want to take the risk for this game. We hope for Sunday, he can be available for one part of the game,” De Zerbi said (h/t Football London).
Vicario or Kinsky- Who should start in goal vs. Chelsea?
De Zerbi now faces a difficult decision as to whether to stick with Kinsky or bring Vicario straight back into the side. The Spurs boss said last week that Vicario remains the club’s No.1, but in Monday’s press conference, he decided to keep his selection choices close to his chest.
Kinsky’s performances have proven vital in the absence of Vicario, with the young glovesman’s terrific reflexes saving points for his side against Wolves, Aston Villa and Leeds United. His save to tip Sean Longstaff’s onto the crossbar in the stoppage time against Leeds last week was simply jaw-dropping.
Keeping in mind Kinsky’s strong form in recent weeks and the lack of Vicario’s match and physical fitness, De Zerbi should not tinker with the goalkeeping department in the last two games.