Tottenham
take on Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday with manager Mauricio
Pochettino insisting his side go into the game as underdogs.
Chelsea's 2-0 loss at Manchester United last Sunday saw their lead over
Tottenham at the top of the Premier League cut to just four points.
However, while Chelsea coach Antonio Conte says Spurs are a "great power in
English football" and can no longer be considered "underdogs", his opposite
number disagrees.
"I think if there is one favourite it's Chelsea because they are top of the
table, because of the experienced players and the manager that they have,"
said the Argentine.
"We are talking about one of the best teams in Europe. But we are in a good
moment, too, and we are hungry to challenge this type of team."
Chelsea, though, head into the game looking for a morale-boosting win over
their London rivals which, as well as securing a place in the Wembley final
next month, would also raise spirits and confidence for the title run-in.
And while Chelsea have been fortunate with injuries and illness this season,
the timing of the current situation, with captain Gary Cahill set to miss
the match with gastroenteritis, is far from ideal.
Cahill was admitted to hospital this week with gastroenteritis, with either
John Terry, Kurt Zouma or Nathan Ake in line to fill in for the England
international at the heart of the Chelsea back line.
Team news
Tottenham defender Danny Rose will not recover in time to be fit to face
Chelsea. The left-back has begun training again after missing almost three
months with a knee injury, but will not make the fixture.
Erik Lamela and Harry Winks are both out with hip and ankle injuries
respectively, while goalkeeper Michel Vorm is also unavailable with a knee
problem.
Meanwhile, Cahill will almost certainly miss the cup tie due to illness, but
Thibaut Courtois and Marcos Alonso are both expected to return after missing
last weekend's loss at United due to an ankle problem and illness
respectively.
Opta stats
The Blues have only lost one of their last five FA Cup semi-final ties, but
it was in their last such appearance in 2013 (vs Manchester City).
Tottenham have lost each of their last six FA Cup semi-final appearances
(1993, 1995, 1999, 2001, 2010 and 2012). Should they lose this, they'll set
a record for consecutive FA Cup semi-final defeats (Chelsea also six between
1920 and 1966).
The last time these sides met in the competition was in the 2012 semi-final,
with Chelsea running out 5-1 winners en route to lifting the trophy.
In all competitions, Spurs have won just two of their last 16 meetings with
Chelsea (D7 L7), though they did win the last game between them 2-0 in
January.
This will be the fourth meeting between these sides at the new Wembley,
making it the joint-most played fixture at the ground since it re-opened in
2007 (Chelsea v Man Utd also four).
Since beating Chelsea in the League Cup final in 2008, Tottenham have won
just one of their eight games at Wembley (D2 L5), beating CSKA Moscow in a
Champions League group stage game in December.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have lost two of their last three games at the ground,
with the victory coming against Tottenham in the 2015 League Cup final.
Son Heung-Min has been involved in more goals than any other player in this
season's FA Cup (6 goals, 1 assist).
Pedro has scored four goals and assisted a further two in his three FA Cup
appearances for Chelsea this season.
Tottenham players have scored a hat-trick in each of the last two rounds
(Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min).
Chelsea lost their last match against United - they've not lost back to back
games in all competitions since April 2016 (vs Swansea and Man City).
Tottenham meanwhile have won their last eight games in all competitions -
they've only enjoyed a longer such run once in their history (13 games,
April-October 1960).
Charlie's prediction
This is such a tough one to call. With one win each against each other and
so many similarities to how they function, I can see extra-time, potentially
penalties.
You look at the differences in their line-ups and it's really tough to pick
them apart. Both defences are so solid and then their attacking, creative
players are also similar.
Eden Hazard and Dele Alli are the big two match winners here, not just in
terms of goals but creating chances for their strikers.
However, it's probably that department where I edge towards Spurs, with
Diego Costa going of the boil, willing to fight and scrap but not scoring
goals, whereas you know Harry Kane will score if he gets a couple of
chances.
Charlie predicts: Tottenham to win in extra-time - 14/1 with Sky Bet
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