**Date:** Tuesday 19th May 2026
**Venue**: Stamford Bridge
**Kick-off:** 20:15 BST
From a blatantly carved out title for action man, some of the poorest games we’ve ever had the misfortune to watch and certainly the worst officiating, we’re finally on the home stretch of a Premier League season that’s been about as enjoyable as a trip to the dentist for a root canal.
Tonight’s penultimate game, we’re treated to our final home outing, just in time for Sp\*rs to rock up with their new miracle-working manager. Honestly, the timing couldn’t be worse—Lavia’s managed to injure himself (again!) by daring to touch a blade of grass, Colwill’s probably being rested, and Joao Pedro is unlikely to make it after limping off at the weekend. And the cherry on our misfortune cake? Delap’s fit to start.
Still, don’t pack away your passports just yet! There’s a sliver—no, a glimmer—of hope for European football if the stars, planets and several results all align. Meanwhile, Sp\*rs are desperately trying not to get relegated, which, with their luck, probably means they’ll fluke a win off someone’s knee in the 97th minute.
Of course, we enter tonight’s spectacle straight from our fourth FA Cup final defeat in a row—yes, that’s right, four. Stranger things have happened—like VAR, which continues to deliver decisions so baffling they could be used as Mensa entry tests. At least our defence looked solid, even if our attack couldn’t have scored in an empty net. Still, the appointment of Xavi Alonso softened the blow a little – because that was the intention of the timely leak after all, right?
As for Sp\*rs, they haven’t lost in four games (don’t laugh—it’s true), thanks to Roberto De Zerbi pulling off more escapes than Houdini. They’re two points clear of West Ham, so a result here and they’ll avoid the drop. Imagine the agony if they actually manage it at the Bridge—the shame!
At least it’ll be over soon—unless they introduce extra time for sheer punishment.
**MANAGER’S VIEWS**
Going into tonight’s game, Calum McFarlane, says _“I think the players have shown in the last two games that their fight and their heart has been questioned at times. I think they’ve shown in the last two games that for me that’s not an issue. Everyone knows the rivalry between Chelsea and Tottenham, but ultimately both teams have got a lot to play for. So I don’t think we’re going to have to do anything extra special to motivate the lads. We need six points from our next two games. I think they need a point to almost guarantee safety. Both teams are fighting at different parts of the table, but both teams are fighting for the points, so we shouldn’t need to add any extra motivation, but it will naturally be there with a London derby between Chelsea and Tottenham.”_
Tottenham manager, Roberto De Zerbi, meanwhile says, _“Stamford Bridge is difficult. It’s a tough stadium because the players of Chelsea in the last 30 to 25 seasons have been fantastic. Fantastic players, fantastic managers, but tomorrow is a new game. They played three days ago, two days ago very well. Maybe they didn’t deserve to lose the game. I know very well a lot of players and their style is clear. It is a tough game for us for sure._
_We have to play with confidence because in the last four games, the last five games with me, because we didn’t deserve to lose the game in Sunderland, but in the last four we made eight points. And if you analyse the performance, I think we could make more points than eight, and for that we have to be confident, be positive. Anyway, we can’t forget one month ago what was the situation. We are not safe yet, it’s tough in the Premier League. Making one point is tough because all teams fight on the pitch, all teams are very tough to beat, but we have the quality enough and we have to show the quality with the right mentality, the right spirit. I want to see courage on the pitch, try (to have) the condition to win the game, like in the last period.”_
**SQUAD NEWS**
For Chelsea, Jamie Gittens (thigh), Jesse Derry (head), Estevao Willian (knee) are all injured. Mykhaylo Mudryk continues to serve a 4-year ban pending appeal. Romeo Lavia (knock) and Joao Pedro (leg) are doubtful, whilst Levi Colwill may be rested.
For Tottenham, Xavi Simons (knee), Dominic Solanke (hamstring), Ben Davies (ankle), Wilson Odobert (knee), Dejan Kulusevski (knee), Mohammed Kudus (thigh) and Cristian Romero (knee) are all out. Guglielmo Vicario (hernia) returns.
**TEAMS**
CHELSEA (Possible line-up): Sanchez; Fofana, Chalobah, Hato; Gusto, Caicedo, Fernandez, Cucurella; Palmer, Neto; Delap
TOTTENHAM (Possible line-up): Kinsky; Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bentancur, Palhinha; Kolo Muani, Gallagher, Tel; Richarlison
**LAST SEASON**
Chelsea 1-0 Tottenham (3rd April 2025)
**CURRENT FORM (PL)**
CHELSEA: LLLLLD
TOTTENHAM: LLDWWD
**OTHER STUFF**
* Chelsea have won 38 Premier League games against Tottenham
* Tottenham have won 1 of their last 35 away games against Chelsea
* Chelsea have won their last 5 games against Tottenham in the league
* Chelsea have not won in their last 7 games in the Premier League
* Chelsea have not lost their final league game at home in the last 23 seasons
* Tottenham lost their final away game last season
* Chelsea have lost their last four games at Stamford Bridge
* Tottenham have won their last 2 on the road in the Premier League
**PREDICTION**
[Sportsmole](Preview: Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur - prediction, team news, lineups - Sports Mole): Chelsea 1-1 Tottenham