Third takes on fourth in the Premier League on Saturday as Chelsea make the short trip to London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the pick of this weekend's top-flight matches.
The Blues may sit a point better off than their opponents, but Spurs have been in better form over the past couple of months and have momentum on their side.
There is therefore plenty on the line in the English capital on Saturday evening, with Tottenham attempting to pick up back-to-back wins against Chelsea for the first time ever in the Premier League.
Ahead of the much-anticipated clash, Sports Mole selects the strongest combined XI from both teams using those expected to be available this weekend.
Out: Ethan Ampadu (knock), Vincent Janssen (foot), Mousa Dembele (ankle), Davinson Sanchez (hamstring), Danny Rose (groin), Jan Vertonghen (hamstring)
Doubtful: Mateo Kovacic (muscular), Kieran Trippier (groin)
Chelsea replaced one world-class goalkeeper with another during the summer, and their decision to inject the money earned from Thibaut Courtois's sale to Real Madrid back into their squad has instantly paid off. Kepa Arrizabalaga has been solid between the sticks so far, which is in stark contrast to opposite number Hugo Lloris, who has made a number of questionable decisions - both on the field and off it - since helping France to lift the World Cup trophy.
Tottenham have arguably the best selection of full-backs of any side in the Premier League, but two of those - Rose and Trippier - are nursing injuries. For all of Ben Davies and Serge Aurier's qualities down either flank, the versatile Cesar Azpilicueta has been a consistent presence for Chelsea for close to seven years now, while Marcos Alonso - though not always the best defensively - is a major threat down the opposite side. Just ask Spurs, as the Spanish defender netted twice in this corresponding fixture last season.
Toby Alderweireld is one of the classiest defenders anywhere on the planet and, while not at the level of about 18 months ago, he is still a real force in the heart of Tottenham's somewhat depleted back four. Juan Foyth has shown his good and bad side across his first couple of Premier League outings, meanwhile, and there is also an argument for Premier League title winner David Luiz to be included alongside Alderweireld, but Antonio Rudiger is now the main man in Chelsea's backline and appears to be going from strength to strength under Maurizio Sarri.
Despite questions being asked of N'Golo Kante's suitability in this Chelsea side following Sarri's big call to shift him into a right-of-centre position, the Frenchman is still a regular pick for the Blues and is quite simply the best at what he does anywhere in the world. Jorginho, meanwhile, has brought his passing masterclass across with him from Naples to London, leaving just one more spot to be filled in the middle in this 4-3-3 formation. Ross Barkley is enjoying his best season in a while and Moussa Sissoko is finally starting to show his form of old for Spurs, but it is the more creative Christian Eriksen who gets the nod here having already shown for club and country this season that he is capable of performing in a deeper position when needed.
If Eden Hazard is the first name on this teamsheet thanks to his form in the second half of 2018, playing a direct part in 11 goals in the same number of Premier League matches, then Harry Kane is a close second. Chelsea are in desperate need of a striker who can both bring others into play while also scoring on a consistent basis - a role that Kane is more than happy to fill. There is no room for Lucas Moura, Dele Alli, Erik Lamela, Son Heung-min or Pedro, however, as Willian earns his place in the side thanks to his consistent showings, with no player in the Premier League creating more chances (35) this season.
Daniel Lewis
