Chelsea
will hope to get back to winning ways in their London derby against
Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on New Year’s Day (5.30pm kick-off).
The Premier League leaders were held to a 1-1 draw at Southampton on Sunday,
meaning that they have now won just one of their last four top-flight
matches on the road.
And they will be facing a Tottenham side that have not lost in the league
since going down 3-0 at Stamford Bridge in the corresponding fixture at the
start of the month.
Team news
Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino should freshen up his starting
line-up, with the Argentinian set to bring back the likes of left-back Danny
Rose, forward Erik Lamela, winger Aaron Lennon and right-back Kyle Walker
after they were rested against Manchester United on Sunday.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are also likely to make changes to the team that began
at St Mary’s, with manager Jose Mourinho expected to restore left-back Cesar
Azpilicueta, playmaker Oscar and wide man Willian in place of Filipe Luis,
John Obi Mikel and Andre Schurrle.
Opta stats
Spurs have won three and lost just one of their last eight Barclays Premier
League home games against the Blues (D4).
After winning on his first two trips to the Lane 2-0, Mourinho has drawn one
and lost one of his last two visits.
Didier Drogba has scored four goals and assisted five more in his last nine
Premier League games against Spurs.
The Blues have won six and lost two of their eight New Year’s Day Premier
League fixtures.
Loic Remy has scored in two of his three Premier League appearances against
Spurs.
Cesc Fabregas has assisted eight goals in his last eight Premier League
games against Tottenham and scored two himself.
Merson’s prediction
Chelsea will win 3-0, and I'm being kind to Tottenham here, as Chelsea fans
call it "Three-point Lane". If Manchester United were as ruthless as Chelsea
are then it would have been 3-0 on Sunday. It is only waiting to happen at
Tottenham. Believe me, they are waiting to be on the end of something big
and I think this will be it.
I think that Chelsea are head and shoulders above Tottenham and the game
will be over in quick time.
PAUL PREDICTS: 0-3
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