After the drama that unfolded in their most recent game at home to Burnley, where they surrendered a 1-0 lead and had to settle for a point, as well as having Nemanja Matic sent off, Chelsea look to the League Cup final against Tottenham as they bid to win their first trophy in Jose Mourinho’s second reign in charge. The absence of Matic – who had his ban reduced to two games on appeal – will be a massive blow to their chances of winning the final, such is his importance to the team. It’s the one position where they lack any real depth in quality, and his physical presence will also be miss against a team who have already shown they are capable of standing up the the current Premier League leaders.
It has been a disappointing last couple of weeks for Tottenham who are now without a win in their last four. Ironically enough for Spurs, this poor run has come on the back of a huge North London derby win over Arsenal. Since then they have lost at Liverpool and drawn at home to West Ham, but the biggest disappointment will be getting knocked out the Europa League by Fiorentina. That may not have always been the case but as the winner of this year’s competition qualifies for the Champions League, it will be seen as a missed opportunity.
If history tells us anything it’s that Mourinho always plays his strongest sides in a cup final. Having narrowly scraped by Liverpool in the semi-final (requiring extra-time) they will be under no illusion as to how difficult this game will be. Mourinho and his players will also still be hurting from their 5-3 loss at White Hart Lane on New Years Day. Since that defeat, the blues have lost a little of the fear factor that had followed them for much of the first half of the season.
When you speak about Tottenham this season, you can’t help but mention the name Harry Kane. The striker has been in and around the squad for a couple of seasons but he has had a huge impact in this campaign. He has scored 24 goals in all competitions this season, including two against Chelsea in January. He has been ably supported by Christian Eriksen who has provided many of his goals as well as scoring a few himself. The Danish attacking midfielder was the key man in the second leg of their semi-final against Sheffield United, scoring both goals.
There’s little love loss between these two clubs which will only add to the match on Sunday. Spurs will take great confidence from their victory over Chelsea at the beginning of this year but they have stuttered of late. Chelsea are certainly weakened with the suspension to Matic but they still remain favourites. It’s the absence of Matic which has influenced my selection on this game as I think it will free up some extra space for Eriksen. With the form Kane is in, and with Chelsea looking more vulnerable than they did earlier in the season, I can definitely see Tottenham scoring. I can’t see them keeping a clean sheet, though, as Chelsea have so many threats throughout the team so take both teams to score here.
Both teams to score 17/20 @ Ladbrokes
