London derby preview: Chelsea vs. Tottenham Hotspur - the old rivalry, who can seize the initiative?

Meeting background

As one of the most popular city derbys in the Premier League, the competition between Chelsea and Tottenham has always been full of gunpowder. In the last 10 matches between the two teams, Chelsea has the upper hand with 6 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses, and achieved a double-killing Tottenham in the 2023-2024 season. In this showdown, both sides need to fight for the league ranking or the promotion of the cup, and they are full of fighting spirit.

Chelsea: The home advantage is significant, but the front line still has hidden dangers

Recent status

Chelsea has remained unbeaten in the last 10 home games (4 wins and 6 draws), and has performed steadily on the defensive end and has continuously blocked mid- and lower-level teams. However, the offensive end has declined due to the collective injury of the main right winger, front midfielder and center, and has only scored 4 goals in the last 3 home games.

Key player Jacquesson has been in a hot state recently, contributing 5 goals against Tottenham in two rounds, becoming the core of the forward line.

Tactical features

focus on 4-2-3-1 formation, relying on full-back insertion to form a local numerical advantage, infiltration in the middle and crosses, creating 12.3 offensive opportunities per game (6th in the Premier League).

The double midfielder has strong coverage, but the high-pressure may be targeted by Tottenham's counterattack.

Injuries and lineup

Palmer returns from injury, Jackson is about to return, and the offensive end is expected to be strengthened; but injury to defenders such as Chilwell and James may affect the offense and defense on the wing.

Tottenham: The away game is weak, and the stability of the defense line is the key

Recent performance

Tottenham have fluctuated in recent form, ranking 14th in the league, with only 5 wins, 1 draw and 8 losses away. The core central defender on the defensive end has been injured for a long time, and has averaging 1.7 goals per game in the last 6 rounds.

Signed Werner and Dragusin in the winter window. The former and Son Heung-min's "dual-machine combination" may become a counterattack weapon.

Tactical core

adopts 4-3-3 change formation 4-2-3-1, mainly focusing on fast counterattacks, accounting for 37% of counterattack goals (third in the Premier League), but the positional battles lack the ability to break secret defense.

The central defender Van Devin and Romero returned, and the stability of the defense line was improved, but there were still hidden dangers in the face of Chelsea's horizontal transfer from the wing.

Key player

Son Heung-min is in a stable state this season, but he needs to break through Chelsea's targeted defense; if midfielder Gallagher joins, it may enhance the efficiency of offense and defense conversion.

Historical confrontations and psychological advantages

Chelsea has won 36 games against Tottenham in the Premier League, scoring 120 goals, and both data set a record against a single opponent in team history.

In the last three home matches, Chelsea won all the money and did not lose a single goal, and their psychological suppression was obvious.

2023-2024 season, Jacquesson's two-round hat trick + header became a nightmare in Tottenham's defense.

Prematch predictions and highlights

Winning and Loss Balance

Chelsea have advantages in home court, historical record and key players' status, but we need to be wary of hidden dangers of draws (7 draws in the last 10 games).

If Tottenham wants to make a comeback, they need to rely on Son Heung-min's counterattack efficiency and the defensive hardness of new aid Dragusin.

Tactical Game

Can Chelsea's high-pressure ball control suppress Tottenham's counterattack? Tottenham's wing breakthrough and set pieces (first in the Premier League this season's corner kick) may become the key to breaking the game.

Score prediction

Based on factors of all parties, Chelsea's probability of winning is high, but it may narrowly win with a small score (1-0 or 2-1).

Conclusion

This London derby is not only a contest of technology and tactics, but also a confrontation between psychology and will. Can Chelsea continue home suppression? Can Tottenham break the curse of losing streak? All suspense is waiting for the arena to be revealed!