Sunday 20th August 2017 Kickoff:1600hrs Tottenham v Chelsea Football – England – Premier League Games between Tottenham and Chelsea certainly don’t need any more riding on them to whet the appetite, but Sunday’s game has that bit extra as Spurs will play the first Premier League game as a home team at Wembley. It makes it all the more intriguing the fact it’s against an arch rival who also happen to be the champions. There were very different starts to the season for these London clubs as Spurs recorded a comfortable enough 2-0 win away to Newcastle, 24 hours after Chelsea were on the wrong end of a 3-2 loss at home to Burnley. What lies in wait on Sunday, I wonder.
Tottenham have done very little wrong under Mauricio Pochettino, domestically at least, yet there are still doubts surrounding their mentality and mettle. Despite finishing second last season many were quick to point to the loss away at West Ham at the beginning of May which ended their title challenge and virtually assured Chelsea being crowned champions. They get a quick chance to putting that right to some extent by taking Antonio Conte’s men on in the second round of games for this campaign. It was a professional display for them last week at Newcastle and yet another goal for the excellent Dele Alli who is growing into his role as chief support to Harry Kane, game by game. They can be assured of a vastly different game on Sunday, though, and will also have to contend with playing at a stadium where they have struggled in European football.
You could be forgiven for thinking that Chelsea were still on their summer holidays rather than opening their title defence last Saturday. Having went down to 10 men early in the first half after Gary Cahill was dismissed, the Blues struggled against the physicality and direct approach of Burnley. Conte can take some solace from the fact that his players restored a little face by scoring twice in the second half and fought to the end despite finishing with nine men after Cesc Fabregas was also given his marching orders. It was the worst possible start after a troubled close season with several off the field dramas. The Diego Costa continues to rumble on in the build up to this one but with Conte having stated on a number of occasions that the striker is not part of the future for Chelsea, the players who are picked will have to concentrate on the job at hand and get their season on track, at the same time sending a message to a team we expect to be a title rival.
Tottenham v Chelsea Betting Tip
The spoils were shared in the two league meetings between Spurs and Chelsea last season with both teams winning their home games. It was Chelsea who took the bragging rights in the cup, however, as they won a thrilling encounter 4-2 back in April. It could be that it gives them some sort of advantage considering they return to play at the same stadium but plenty has happened since that match.
One of Spurs’ real strengths is the continuity they have in both their selection of personnel and style of play. Each player knows exactly what they’re doing, even accounting for when key players may be missing. That was exactly the same for Chelsea from October onwards last week’s performances was as though they were just put together at the last minute. I struggle to think they could change that much in the space of a week and with the experienced duo of Cahill and Fabregas to miss this one, Spurs look like they hold a great chance of getting their season at Wembley off to the perfect start.
Tottenham 23/20 @ William Hill
