The standout fixture in the latest set of Premier League matches will take place in London on Sunday afternoon as Chelsea welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Stamford Bridge.
Tottenham lead the way in the Premier League after nine matches, picking up 20 points during a strong start, and Jose Mourinho's side will enter this game off the back of five straight wins in all competitions.
Spurs impressively overcame Manchester City in the league last weekend, while they will enter the clash off the back of a 4-0 win over Ludogorets Razgrad in the Champions League on Thursday.
Chelsea were also successful in Europe during the week, beating Rennes 2-1 in France to book their spot in the last-16 stage of the Champions League with two games to spare.
The Blues have also won their last three in the league to rise into third spot in the table, just two points behind Tottenham ahead of what is shaping up to be a mouthwatering contest in the English capital.
The match will see Mourinho return to his former club to take on Frank Lampard, who was so impressive under the Portuguese during their time together at Stamford Bridge.
Some of the league's biggest talents will be on display in this game and with that in mind, Sports Mole picks a combined XI from both squads, using only players available for the contest.
In truth, it was not a difficult decision to pick the goalkeeper in this team; Hugo Lloris is expected to overcome a slight injury to take his spot between the Tottenham sticks, but Edouard Mendy is chosen in this XI. The 28-year-old has kept four clean sheets in his five Premier League appearances for the club and appears to have completely transformed the Blues defensively since his arrival from Rennes.
The two full-backs also both come from Chelsea, with Reece James and Ben Chilwell impressing during their side's recent strong run of form. Thiago Silva, meanwhile, sails into the back four, having made a huge impression since arriving from Paris Saint-Germain. There were question marks over the Brazilian's ability to perform in the Premier League at the age of 36, but he has been outstanding for the capital giants and will be tasked with keeping an in-form Harry Kane quiet on Sunday afternoon.
Toby Alderweireld would have been chosen alongside Silva in the middle of the defence had he been available, but the Belgium international is currently on the sidelines. As a result, Eric Dier gets the nod over Chelsea's other centre-backs and indeed Spurs teammate Davinson Sanchez. Dier has helped Tottenham keep clean sheets in three of their last four Premier League matches, with the Englishman impressing under Mourinho this term.
Further forward, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has proved to be a brilliant signing for Spurs, with the 25-year-old performing an unselfish role in the middle of the park. Hojbjerg has actually not missed a single minute of Tottenham's 2020-21 Premier League campaign, and he is fully deserving of a spot in this XI.
N'Golo Kante, meanwhile, also makes the side, with the 29-year-old just starting to show signs of his best form once again after a series of injuries. The France international captained Chelsea in their win over Newcastle United last weekend and will be key to his team's chances of picking up a positive result in this weekend's contest.
Son Heung-min is another player who simply could not be left out, with the 28-year-old netting 11 times and providing five assists in 14 appearances at club level this term. Nine goals in nine Premier League appearances is an indication of his contribution in the league, and he is an obvious pick in the final third of the field.
There are two Chelsea players in an attacking positions, meanwhile, with Kai Havertz being joined by Hakim Ziyech. Timo Werner is unfortunate to miss out, but Havertz takes the number 10 position - arguably his best role - while Ziyech features off the right. The former has four goals and three assists to his name this term, while the latter has struck twice and provided three assists since his debut.
Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham and Tanguy Ndombele all deserve a mention, but the balance of the side would be better with both Havertz and Ziyech, explaining their selections in this particular side.
The final spot in the XI, unsurprisingly, is handed to Harry Kane, who is arguably playing the best football of his career. The England captain has managed 13 goals and 11 assists in 15 appearances in all competitions this season, including seven goals and nine assists in nine league outings. The 27-year-old will be looking to fire Spurs past Chelsea this weekend and fuel suggestions that his club can challenge for the title.
Matt Law
