Chelsea vs Tottenham: Preview, predictions and lineups

Chelsea face a visit from London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Thursday evening as both sides return from the March international break.

The Blues will continue their hunt for Champions League qualification and know victory will be enough to see them finish this round of midweek fixtures in the top four. Chelsea have won four of their last five outings but are operating some way below their ceiling, something Spurs will be aiming to take advantage of at Stamford Bridge.

Tottenham are also struggling for form at present as pressure continues to mount on Ange Postecoglou. Winning the Europa League is the only saving grace for the Lilywhites this season having been cut massively adrift of continental qualification in the Premier League. They have failed to win any of their past three domestic encounters and are languishing in the bottom half.

Here is 90min’s guide to an all-capital affair.

Chelsea vs Tottenham H2H Record (last five games)

Current form (all competitions)

Enzo Maresca has confirmed the return of three influential forward stars, with Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke all available once more. The trio should come straight back into the starting lineup.

Romeo Lavia has suffered a minor setback in recent days and is now a doubt to face Tottenham, while Marc Guiu could also miss out despite the fact he’s closing in on a return. Omari Kellyman and Mykhailo Mudryk are both unavailable.

Reece James has been used in midfield in recent weeks but Maresca has insisted Chelsea still need to manage the minutes of their injury-prone captain. He could feature on the bench against Spurs, with Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo making up the double pivot on Thursday.

Chelsea predicted lineup vs Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson.

Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that the influential Dejan Kulusevski is still missing for Spurs, with the Swede and centre-back Kevin Danso both “a couple of weeks away” from returning to action. The duo are joined by Radu Dragusin in the treatment room.

Richarlison is back training but Postecoglou has confirmed he will be cautious with the Brazil international’s reintroduction following a testing season of injuries.

Elsewhere, Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro should come into the starting XI after being omitted from the side that lost to Fulham before the international period. James Maddison and Son Heung-min should also feature from the start having been used as substitutes last time out.

Tottenham predicted lineup vs Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Sarr, Bentancur; Johnson, Maddison, Son; Solanke.

Neither side enters Thursday’s duel in promising form but recent history favours Chelsea in this fixture, with three successive victories against Spurs. They were triumphant in a chaotic 4-3 win back in December but will want a calmer evening at Stamford Bridge this time around.

The return of Palmer, Jackson and Madueke will provide Chelsea with a much-needed attacking boost having failed to rediscover their mojo in recent weeks, while Spurs’ leaky defence is always capable of surrendering goals.

It will be a tight affair but the home side should steal three crucial points.

Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham

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