Chelsea v Tottenham in Top-of-the-Table Clash

Last updated: November 25, 2020 by Leon Marshal

It’s master against apprentice as the two best goal-scoring teams faceoff against each other. Tottenham sit top of the table, but Chelsea are breathing down their necks, just two points behind. We preview Sunday’s game and share our betting tips.

Chelsea has won the last three consecutive games in this fixture, but the likely intensity of this match will mean recent results between the two teams means little. Both sides are picking up the pace and are both unbeaten in the last five.

The Blues are becoming a force with each day, and every signing they made this summer is supplementing their game. Stamford Bridge’s faithful would wish they had brought Thiago Silva at a much earlier stage of his career with the 36-year old, alongside Edouard Mendy, instrumental to the side keeping six consecutive clean sheets before conceding in their 4 – 1 win against Sheffield United. They were back to their impregnable best in the next league game, a 2-0 win against Newcastle.

Liverpool success in winning the Premier League can be attributed, in part at least, to the contribution of their flying wingbacks Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson. They gave the Liverpool attack a new perspective. Chelsea seems to have copied this formula, with English duo Ben Chilwell and Recce James lighting up the flanks for Frank Lampard. Ngolo Kante seems to be back to the player he was two years ago. The midfielder has missed 22 games since the start of last season, many due to a recurring muscle injury.

The Blues are on a five-game winning streak in all competition. They have found a perfect rhythm in their play that their summer signings have fitted in to. They were dominant in the game against Newcastle with their 71% possession too strong for the Magpies. Chelsea benefited from an own goal by Federico Fernandez in the 10th minute, and Tammy Abraham sealed the win in the 65th minute.

Hakim Ziyech has been the spark for the side going forward, with three assists already. He is delivering dangerous balls for Werner and Abraham, making them more of a threat through the centre. Timo Werner, despite a slow start, has the best returns with four goals and two assists.

Chelsea will have an extra two-day rest playing in the Champions League against Rennes on Tuesday while their opponents face Ludogorets on Thursday.

Tottenham have a real claim to the title this season under the stewardship of Jose Mourinho. Jose seems to have learnt his mistakes as a manager, preferring this season to enjoy his team’s games rather than throwing players under his bus. Mourinho 2.0 has become a grandfatherly figure, putting an arm around his players and protecting them from the limelight.

Spurs have one of the best squads in the Premier League and are balanced in all areas of the pitch. Upfront they have two of the best attackers in the Premier League. Harry Kane has seven goals and nine assists and his partner in crime, Heung-Min Son has nine goals and two assists.

While the front two will get the headlines, it is the partnership of Moussa Sissoko and summer signing Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg that have been the steel component required to forge a Mourinho type of side. The two were brilliant cutting out the Manchester City attack through the middle. It has taken a year, a couple of transfer windows, but this team is starting to bear all the hallmarks of a Jose team. It’s also worth pointing out the impact he has had on Tottenham’s results. When he took over Spurs were sitting 14th in the table, Liverpool and Manchester City only eclipse his win numbers as manager since then.

Their season started with the team being in high-scoring form, but in the last four games have shown their scrappy side. Their recent 2 – 0 against Manchester City ended their run of three consecutive wins by a goal margin. Pep Guardiola’s side had 66% of possession and struck 22 shots, but only Ruben Dias’ late close-range header tested Hugo Lloris. Tottenham, on the other hand, had four shots. Only two of which were on target, these yielded the goals.

Spurs sit on top of the Premier League table with just two points between the two teams. They will be full of confidence, having beat Man City in the previous game, and having already beaten Man United 6 – 1at Old Trafford.

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Team News

Chelsea are the best scorers in league with 22 goals just one ahead of Tottenham’s 21. They are level on goal difference with +14 each.

Chelsea have won eight of their last ten home matches.

Son (9 goals) and Kane (9 assists) are a duo to watch out for in front of goal bagging goals for fun.

Jose Mourinho has had the edge against the top 6 sides beating Man United 6 – 1 and Man City 2 – 0.

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Expected Line-Ups:

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So Far This Season

• The two sides have met 56 times; Chelsea have been the dominant side with 30 wins against Tottenham’s seven wins with 19 draws between them.
• The Blues have an average 2.44 goals per match while Spurs have an average of 2.33 goals scored per game.
• Both teams are in good form, both unbeaten in six games.
• Chelsea are the bookies favourite for this clash @ 11/10, Tottenham are 12/5 with the draw at 5/2.

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Head to Head

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Conclusion & Betting Tips

Chelsea have had eleven different goalscorers this season, showing the quality they have in their squad and with the new signings finding form, they do look like they will be challenging for the title this season. They could make a huge statement by beating Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.

A few eyebrows were raised when Jose took control at Tottenham. Spurs are an attacking side, and the appointment of a defensive-minded manager looked like a recipe for disaster. Yet, a quarter of the season in and Tottenham sit top of the table with no sign of the goals drying up.

It’s easy to make a case for either side here, but we think the stage is set for a tactical masterclass from Mourinho who will get three points here. We predict a 2-1 away win, available @ 12/1 with bet365; a safer bet is the draw or Tottenham win @ 4/6.