MX23RW : Saturday, December 14 05:04:03| >> :60:1647:1647:

Preview: Chelsea vs. Tottenham Hotspur

Preview: Chelsea vs. Tottenham
© PA Photos
Chelsea can close in on fourth place if they defeat Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge at the weekend.

Chelsea can go two points within fourth place of the Premier League with a victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

The Blues have been rejuvenated since the instalment of temporary coach Roberto Di Matteo. However, the former English champions did stumble to a 2-1 defeat against Manchester City last night.

Tottenham have had a torrid few weeks in the top flight, taking just one point in their last four league fixtures, which has resulted in the North London side dropping from third place in the table.

Di Matteo is unlikely to call upon John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic as the duo are hampered by injuries, which leads the way for David Luiz and Gary Cahill in defence.

Didier Drogba could return to the starting lineup in place of Fernando Torres, who gained a spot in the starting XI against Man City last night.

Meanwhile, Harry Redknapp may bring in Jermain Defoe in attack if Emmanuel Adebayor fails to overcome an injury, with Sandro joining Scott Parker in the middle of the field.

Ledley King may have to bow out for Ryan Nelsen as the centre-back competed in the majority of Spurs' 1-1 draw with Stoke City last night.

Current form:

Chelsea: LWWWWL
Tottenham: DLLWLD

Possible lineups:

Chelsea: Cech; Bosingwa, Luiz, Cahill, Cole; Ramires, Lampard, Essien, Mata; Sturridge, Drogba

Tottenham: Friedel; Walker, Kaboul, Nelsen, Assoue-Ekotto; Bale, Parker, Modric, Sandro; Van der Vaart, Defoe

Sports Mole says: 1-0

ID:20945: cacheID:20945:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4205:
Written by
Danielle Joynson

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Roberto Di Matteo
Read Next:
Di Matteo pleased with progress
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!