Micky van de Ven Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Spurs
Spurs have picked up only 34 points from the 29 Premier League games they have played this season and their domestic campaign is all but over. Next up, they take a short trip across London to take on Chelsea and winning this will only be about pride and bragging rights for Ange and his boys.
Even if Tottenham pick up three points on Thursday night, they will only be able to climb one spot on the table but beating 4th-placed Chelsea will be a big statement of intent – especially with their UEL quarter-final just around the corner.
There’s not much the Spurs manager can do in midweek other than hope that his players can enforce his brand of football and come out of Stamford Bridge with a win. Defensively they have been all over the place — failing to keep a clean sheet in their previous six matches — but there will still be hope because they have picked up big wins this season against teams like Man United, Liverpool and Manchester City.
Tottenham’s team news and injuries:
Dragusin is the only confirmed absentee for Spurs due to an ACL injury that will keep him out of action until the summer. Kevin Danso has done fairly well since joining the club in January but he’s also been out of action since March 9.
He should recover in time from the hamstring issue but we will have to wait and see if the centre-back will be fit enough to start or not.
Richarlison has endured a frustrating season due to various injury problems and he’s a doubt for the Chelsea game as well. He’s made just 9 Premier League appearances so far and currently he is recovering from a calf injury. Like Danso he too will have to go through a late fitness test on Thursday night.
Thankfully, Richarlison’s absence won’t be a problem for the Spurs manager because he now has Dominic Solanke to lead the line. He has chipped in with 7 league goals this season but apart from his goal-scoring ability, his hold-up play will be essential for Tottenham in trying to break down Chelsea’s defence.
Kulusevski has missed the previous four matches due to a foot injury and if he is not available then Postecoglou will have to use Brennan Johnson on the right wing.
Lucas Bergvall missed Sweden’s games against Luxembourg and Northern Ireland due to illness and chose to return to Spurs early. There’s no major update on his condition but this extended break should have helped him recover in time for Thursday’s away game.
Spurs predicted lineup vs Chelsea:
Goalkeeper: Vicario
Defenders: Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence
Midfielders: James Maddison, Bentancur, Lucas Bergvall
Attackers: Son, Dominic Solanke, Johnson