Chelsea will be determined to bounce back from their hapless loss to Arsenal before the international break. The Blues suffered a limp 1-0 defeat at the hands of their London rivals, halting a run of four wins on the trot.
Chelsea struggled to create clear goalscoring chances against Arsenal, with Mikel Merino heading the only goal of the gamein the first half. Chelsea’s xG of 0.35 was their lowest of the season.
Chelsea face Tottenham Hotspur on April 3, and it is an opportunity for the Blues to put three points on the board as they look to seal a UEFA Champions League slot for next season.
The West Londoners hope to have key players like Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke fit and ready to play the Tottenham game. The pair have been injured, leaving the attack blunt.
Chelsea also want to have talisman Cole Palmer back in action for the visit from Spurs. He missed the game against Arsenal and subsequently pulled out of the England national team through a muscular injury. He was also ill and played the Leicester City game through the sickness.
According to theDaily Mail, Palmer will undergo a second scan to determine the severity of his injury and when he should be back. Chelsea hope he can be fit for the Tottenham showdown at Stamford Bridge.
Palmer has been the difference-maker for Chelsea since his £42.5 million move from Manchester City. The 22-year-old has netted 14 goals and created 19 big chances in 28 Premier League games this season.
Palmer will want to turn around his recent dip in form that has seen him fail to score in his last seven Premier League games, and Spurs are the perfect prey.
Tottenham are in 14th place and winless in their last three league games. They are ripe for the taking if Palmer and co. rise to the occasion.