London Evening Standard

Sport | Football

Tottenham vs Chelsea: Prediction, kick-off time, TV, live stream, team news, h2h results, odds

Another huge London derby as Spurs look for rare win over the Blues

Worrying Spurs injury pile-up threatens to derail their season as fitness problems grow

Spurs crashed out of the Carabao Cup with a 2-0 defeat at Newcastle

REUTERS

Matt Verri

COMMENTS

Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

The days gets shorter, the clocks go back and membership to Tottenham's injury club goes through the roof.

There is something about this time of year for Spurs and it is hard not to feel a growing sense of deja vu.

The injury list is not as dramatic as the one Ange Postecoglou faced last season and that prompted a disastrous domestic collapse, but it is quietly growing and already having an impact.

Spurs were beaten 2-0 by Newcastle in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday. It is one down, three to go in terms of the club's hopes of winning silverware for a second successive season.

To be blunt, Spurs are not going to win the Premier League and Champions League success looks miles off. It is effectively FA Cup or bust.

Spurs were without 12 first-team players at St James’ Park

Action Images via Reuters

When Thomas Frank arrived at the start of the summer, he used his first press conference to declare that his Spurs side needed to challenge on multiple fronts in a way they have not in recent seasons.

Read More

Tottenham injury update: Vicario, Gray, Romero latest return dates

Frank slams referee's 'big mistake' in Spurs' Carabao Cup defeat

Frank issues double Spurs injury update ahead of Chelsea derby clash

Sponsored

Boost your child’s education to help them excel

That Spurs could not do so in the Carabao Cup is not Frank's fault. He has been left with a worryingly thin squad and little chance of competing.

Spurs had Callum Olusesi, Luca Gunter and James Rowswell on their bench at St James' Park and yet this was as strong a squad as Frank could have named.

The starting line-up was not weak, either. Some might have wanted Micky van de Ven to start but Frank was right to rest him with his injury record. Mohammed Kudus, so crucial to Spurs' attack, also can't start every match.

Frank revealed after the match that Archie Gray would have started had he not been ruled out with a calf issue. That was picked up in Monaco, as was Wilson Odobert's side issue. Strangely both made the bench against Everton on Sunday before being ruled out here.

With it also emerging after the match that Guglielmo Vicario had missed out because he "had a small thing that had to be done", it meant that Frank was without 12 first-team players.

Newcastle, by contrast, were able to bring on the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Anthony Gordon.

Spurs played decently in the circumstances, showing more promising signs in open play as Xavi Simons produced one of his best displays. There was disappointment to go out of the cup, but this was not a terrible performance.

The issue in the final third was of quality rather than tactics or set-up. Add the likes of Solanke, Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison into the side and it would have been a very different match.

More worrying is that Frank's squad is becoming increasingly depleted just as the fixtures continue to come thick and fast.

Nick Woltemade scores Newcastle’s second goal on a tough night for Spurs

Getty Images

Speaking at St James' Park after the match, Frank insisted he was not worried. The Spurs boss was keen to emphasise that the club had been unfortunate with injuries, rather than suffering muscle issues due to fatigue or poor management of minutes.

"We know injuries is part of it," Frank said.

"It's up to me to find solutions. I think some of the ones we had are relatively, how can I say, unlucky. It's how quick you get them back.

"But a contact injury to Maddison, Bissouma. A knee thing with Destiny [Udogie], we can't do too much about that. Dom mishit the ball."

Regardless of how they have been picked up, the injury list is a major problem. Frank is not one for detailed injury updates and that has added to the uncertainty.

Cristian Romero, for example, has been training on the grass individually and yet Frank has repeatedly said "no timeframe" for his return. Solanke is said only to be taking "positive steps".

It is difficult, then, to be sure just how bad Spurs' injury problems are. If Romero is not back to face Chelsea on Saturday evening then concerns really will grow.

There are now three home games before the international break, with Copenhagen and Manchester United following Chelsea's visit to north London.

Spurs have a woeful home record and must improve that, regardless of who they have available. The international break will then offer a chance to get players back fit and hopefully get a grip on the injury problems.

If that does not happen, Frank will have his hands tied behind his back trying to keep the season on track.

MORE ABOUT

Spurs are now without 12 first-team players

Cristian Romero, Guglielmo Vicario and Archie Gray

London Standard

Arthur Ferridge

COMMENTS

Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Tottenham‘s injury problems are getting worse and worse, with three more first-team players struggling with fitness.

A patched-together team fell to a 2-0 defeat at Newcastle on Wednesday night, with Joao Palhinha playing at centre-back to give Micky van de Ven a rest.

Archie Gray was ruled out ahead of the game with a calf injury picked up in training, and then both Guglielmo Vicario and Wilson Odobert were absent from the squad in Newcastle.

Initially, it was assumed the pair were also rested, but Thomas Frank soon after confirmed it was injury-related.

Here is all the latest Tottenham injury news and potential return dates...

Doubt: Guglielmo Vicario

Getty Images

Guglielmo Vicario

The goalkeeper was not expected to feature against Newcastle given Antonin Kinsky is Spurs’ designated cup keeper, and Vicario was rested in the previous round against Doncaster,.

However, speaking after the match, Frank revealed that Vicario was deemed unavailable due to “a smaller thing”, but the Spurs boss expected his goalkeeper to be passed fit to face Chelsea on Saturday evening.

Read More

Frank slams referee's 'big mistake' in Spurs' Carabao Cup defeat

Frank issues double Spurs injury update ahead of Chelsea derby clash

Man City injury update: Haaland, Rodri, Khusanov latest news and return dates

Sponsored

Get ahead with expert services designed to boost business development

He said: "He had a smaller thing that had to be done but he'll be ready for Chelsea.”

Potential return date: Chelsea (h) on Saturday, November 1, 2025

Wilson Odobert

Frank was less positive on Odobert, who missed the Carabao Cup clash with a “side strain” and remains a doubt for the weekend London derby.

Frank said: "Odobert had a side strain unfortunately, that kept him out for this game.

"Also we need to assess him but it could look positive for Chelsea."

Potential return date: Chelsea (h) on Saturday, November 1, 2025

Archie Gray

Tottenham’s preparations for their Carabao Cup clash with Newcastle were overshadowed by an injury to the versatile midfielder during training.

The 19-year-old was expected to start for Spurs on Wednesday night, but has now been ruled out several weeks with a calf injury.

Gray has seen opportunities restricted this season to just three starts - one each across the Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup - under Thomas Frank.

But was an option to relieve either Rodrigo Bentancur or Joao Palhinha in midfield, or gives the likes of Pedro Porro a rest at right-back.

As of Wednesday morning, Spurs had not confirmed a timeline for Gray’s return but the teenager is reportedly not due back for at least a month.

Potential return date: December

Cristian Romero was due to start against Aston Villa but watched from the bench instead

Action Images via Reuters

Cristian Romero

Romero watched from the bench as Spurs were beaten by Aston Villa on Sunday after he pulled out during the warm-up.

The centre-back was named in the starting lineup but he had been battling an adductor issue in the build-up to the match and it was decided he was not to fit to face Villa.

Speaking after that match, Frank insisted it was only a “minor” problem, but the skipper missed the draw at Monaco and win over Everton.

“Cuti just walked out on the grass running [with] some of the performance guys,” Frank told reporters before the victory on Merseyside.

“So positive, progressing, no time frame, but I don't expect it to be a longer one.”

Potential return date: November

Dominic Solanke

Dominic Solanke had a minor ankle procedure last month to repair a persistent issue first suffered during pre-season, scuppering hopes of a comeback before the international break.

Frank continues to be encouraged by Solanke’s progress, though remains unsure as to exactly when he will be able to call upon the striker.

“Dominic, positive, he's taking steps in the right direction every day,” Frank said before the win at Everton.

“Was on the grass again today on his own, but has now a sustainable amount of pitch session in him on his own, so it's progressing forward.”

Potential return date: November

Destiny Udogie

Destiny Udogie has also missed Tottenham’s last two games having picked up a knee injury while on international duty with Italy earlier in the month.

The full-back did not feature against the Toffees, but just like Romero, the hope is that his issue is not long-term.

“Destiny is not on the grass yet but still progressing, so again not a longer one,” Frank said on Friday.

Potential return date: November

Radu Dragusin is nearing a return

John Walton/PA Wire

Radu Dragusin

Radu Dragusin has been out injury for nine months with a serious knee injury, and recently returned to full first-team training as he looks to build up his fitness.

It appears a return to action could come in the coming weeks, with Spurs set to give the centre-back a runout in a friendly during the November international break.

Dragusin’s reaction will be assessed before competitive minutes are considered, but a comeback is edging closer.

Potential return date: Late November

Ben Davies

Ben Davies faces a number of weeks of the sidelined with a hamstring injury.

The left-back was forced off with an injury in Wales' 4-2 World Cup qualification defeat to Belgium earlier in October.

Issuing an update soon after, Frank confirmed: "Ben has got a hamstring injury, so it'll probably be around four or five weeks [out for him].

Potential return date: Late November

Yves Bissouma

Yves Bissouma has not played for Spurs yet this season after he was left out of the squad for the UEFA Super Cup for disciplinary reasons.

He had been recovering from an injury and finally returned to the pitch for Mali over the international break, but was injured again moments after his introduction and stretchered off.

Frank said of his recovery: “Biss, unfortunately, had a situation with the national team, I think everyone saw that, so he got a ligament injury to his ankle that will keep him out for weeks."

Potential return date: Unknown

Dejan Kulusevski

Dejan Kulusevski is yet to appear for Spurs this season after undergoing surgery on his patella after the Europa League final.

Frank recently confirmed that there was a “good chance” of Kulusevski pulling on a Spurs shirt before the year was out, adding the winger’s return was “hopefully not too far away”.

Potential return date: December

James Maddison suffered a serious knee injury during pre-season

Getty Images

James Maddison

James Maddison is expected to miss most of the season after undergoing surgery on a torn ACL, sustained in a pre-season meeting with Newcastle.

Potential return date: Summer 2026

Kota Takai

The young Japanese centre-back was Spurs’ second summer signing, but fans are still yet to see the player in action.

A foot injury struck Takai down for all of pre-season and the opening weeks of the season, which has hampered his integration with the squad.

Potential return date: Unknown

MORE ABOUT

The visitors fell behind from a corner in the first half when Fabian Schar headed in but Spurs were left furious as their players surrounded the referee and Frank confronted the fourth official.

As soon as it was on and Spence got up, Sandro Tonali swung the corner in before the Spurs man had got back into the box, and Schar - whom Spence was supposed to mark - headed home.

"Unfortunately, the ref was part of the mistake in the first one. I'm not saying there's things we can't do better, but his boot is off, we need to tie his shoelace and tie his boot.

"And you can clearly see on the footage afterwards that the whole boot is off, so we need to do it. And it's minute 23, it's not like we delayed the game for one minutes and we have one goal up. It's common sense to allow him time to get in. So as soon as he had the boot on, the ref let it go."

Frank admitted his side were to blame for the second goal, when Antonin Kinsky came for a cross and did not get there to allow Nick Woltemade to head into an empty net.

"So that's why we were very animated. I think that was the biggest one. I think the rest was fine. There's always small bits you can be irritated about, but it's very difficult to ref a game.

"But this for me was unfortunately a big mistake. And then we made a mistake ourselves on the second one. So small margins decided the game today."

It was an underwhelming performance from Thomas Frank’s rotated side

Diamond in the rough: Xavi Simons

Action Images via Reuters

Matt Verri

COMMENTS

Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Tottenham exited the Carabao Cup as they fell to a 2-0 defeat against Newcastle at St James’ Park.

Fabian Schar opened the scoring with a header from a corner, leaving Spurs furious with the referee for not allowing Djed Spence to get back into position before it was taken.

The lead was doubled shortly after half-time when Nick Woltemade rose above Antonin Kinsky and Kevin Danso to head in.

Matt Verri was on site for Standard Sport to rate the Spurs players...

Antonin Kinsky 5

Brilliant distribution early on which drew applause from Frank on multiple occasions but a howler for Newcastle’s second goal. Came for cross, got nowhere near and left goal empty.

Pedro Porro 6

Captain for the night and produced a couple of brave early blocks. Cut an increasingly irritated figure though, both with the referee and his team-mates.

Joao Palhinha 7

Mr Reliable. Played out of position in defence but still so often in the right place to stick a foot in. Essential for Spurs’ season that he stays fit.

Nick Woltemade scored Newcastle’s second after Antonin Kinsky flubbed his lines

Action Images via Reuters

Kevin Danso 6

Frank called him “magnet head” in the pre-match press conference but he was too keen to head behind which led to Newcastle opener. Not as dominant as he was against Everton but still eight clearances.

Read More

Carabao Cup draw LIVE: Arsenal and Chelsea learn quarter-final fate

Arsenal player ratings: Dowman dazzles as Nwaneri seizes chance

Tottenham dumped out of Carabao Cup as Newcastle ease to tidy victory

Sponsored

Discover The Broadley, Marylebone's newest luxury development

Djed Spence 5

Didn’t look confident against Anthony Elanga and then out of position for the Newcastle goal after putting his boot back on. Form has dropped off slightly.

Rodrigo Bentancur 7

Isolated at times without Palhinha next to him but turned out of trouble nicely on several occasions. Felt like a one-man effort at times but did a decent job.

Pape Matar Sarr 6

Anonymous for much of the first half. Improved after the break and denied by a superb Aaron Ramsdale save. Not enough to force his way into the Premier League starting lineup.

Brennan Johnson 5

Too often he is hesitant when in good positions. Inconsistent with his final ball - some were dangerous, most wasteful. Ironic cheers from the away end when he went off.

Xavi Simons 7

Spurs’ most threatening player and much more like it. Picked up great positions, drove at the defence with confidence and tried to drag Spurs forward. Needed more from his team-mates.

Lucas Bergvall 6

Connected nicely as Spurs had their best spell in the first half. Powerful runner when he has the ball - just didn’t see enough of it. Never stopped running.

Richarlison 4

Frustrating once again. Booked for dissent and then not in the right place to finish off a couple of lovely Spurs moves. No real sharpness to his play and lucky to be on for as long as he was.

Substitutes:

Randal Kolo Muani (Bentancur 65’) 6

Just a more convincing presence up front than Spurs’ other options in attack. Should start against Chelsea.

Mohammed Kudus (Johnson 65’) 5

Loose on the ball when leading some dangerous counters. Late clash with Joelinton sparked a melee and he was booked.

Mathys Tel (Richarlison 78’) 5

Willing runner but limited opportunity to get involved on the left wing.

MORE ABOUT

The pair were left out of the squad as Tottenham fell to a 2-0 defeat against Newcastle in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

In Vicario's absence, Antonin Kinsky started and was at fault for the second goal, coming for a cross and failing to make contact as Nick Woltemade headed into an empty net.

It was initially assumed that Vicario was simply rested, as he was in the previous round against Doncaster, but Frank revealed after the match that the Italian had been unavailable.

"He had a smaller thing that had to be done but he'll be ready for Chelsea," Frank said.

Odobert, meanwhile, came off against Monaco in the Champions League a week ago with what appeared to be a side issue.

He was named on the bench for the win over Everton on Sunday but that problem proved serious enough to rule him out of the trip to St James' Park.

Frank said: "Odobert had a side strain unfortunately, that kept him out for this game.

"Also we need to assess him but it could look positive for Chelsea."

Archie Gray missed out with a calf strain that he picked up in Monaco, despite also being on the bench against Everton. Frank revealed the teenager would have started at St James’ Park had he been fit.

The absentee list at Spurs is now into double figures but Frank insisted this is not a repeat of last season, when injuries derailed the club's domestic campaign under Ange Postecoglou.

"Of course I would like to have everyone fit and available," Frank said.

"We know injuries is part of it. It's up to me to find solutions. I think some of the ones we had are relatively, how can I say, unlucky. It's how quick you get them back.

Sport | Football

Three things we learned from Tottenham loss as shorthanded Spurs struggle under weight of injury crisis

Thomas Frank left 11 first-team players in London as his side visited Tyneside

Disappointed: Spurs produced an underwhelming performance at St James’ Park

Action Images via Reuters

Matt Verri

COMMENTS

Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

If Tottenham are to lift a trophy for the second season in a row, it will not be the Carabao Cup.

A fourth-round trip to Newcastle always looked like being tough and so it proved, as Fabian Schar and Nick Woltemade earned the Magpies a 2-0 win at St James' Park.

This was the first time Spurs have lost on the road this season and it stalls their moment after an impressive win over Everton on Sunday.

With Chelsea visiting north London this weekend, Spurs must quickly pick themselves up.

Injuries leave squad worryingly thin

Thomas Frank spoke at his very first press conference in the summer about wanting Spurs to compete on multiple fronts this season.

With injuries piling up and the squad seeming thinner by the match, he has little chance of doing that right now.

Archie Gray picked up a calf strain in training and Wilson Odobert also failed to make the squad at St James' Park, leaving Frank without 11 first-team players.

Some fans might have wanted the Spurs boss to go stronger with his lineup and start Micky van de Ven and Mohammed Kudus, who were both left on the bench.

Read More

Newcastle vs Tottenham LIVE: Result and latest updates from Carabao Cup

Carabao Cup quarter-final draw in full: Arsenal face Crystal Palace clash

Carabao Cup draw LIVE: Arsenal and Chelsea learn quarter-final fate

Sponsored

Discover The Broadley, Marylebone's newest luxury development

But the pair are crucial to Spurs' season and Van de Ven, in particular, must be managed to avoid a repeat of previous injury problems.

The likes of James Rowswell, Luca Gunter and Callum Olusesi were on the bench for Spurs. With Chelsea visiting north London in just a few days' time, Frank is almost down to the bare bones.

Controversy costs Spurs

It would be hard to argue that Spurs were unfortunate to lose the match but they were aggrieved with the manner of Newcastle's opener.

The situation was avoidable in the first place - a cross was heading safely for Antonin Kinsky but Kevin Danso got in front of him to head it behind.

That corner was delayed as Djed Spence took his boot off and the home fans grew increasingly frustrated with what they perceived to be time-wasting.

Eventually, Spence got to his feet and Sandro Tonali immediately swung in the corner before the Spurs full-back could get into the box to his defensive position.

Spurs players plead their case with Chris Kavanagh after Newcastle’s opener

Action Images via Reuters

Spence could only watch as the ball found Schar's head and he nodded past Kinsky. The Spurs players surrounded the referee and Frank and his coaching staff followed suit with the fourth official.

Richarlison was booked for his protests, while Frank remained in animated conversation on the touchline for several minutes.

Whether Spence would have stopped the goal is up for debate, but Spurs were clearly distracted.

Simons offers encouraging glimpses

There was a bright cameo off the bench against Brighton early in Xavi Simons' Spurs career, but this was his best performance from the start since arriving at the club.

He hit a terrible crossfield pass out of play early on but from that point on, Simons looked the most threatening in a Spurs shirt.

The Dutchman found some lovely positions between the lines and looked dangerous when he turned and ran at the Newcastle defence. One burst late in the half saw Malick Thiaw booked for hacking him down.

Simons' confidence grew and it was positive that he got shots away from the edge of the box in a way he has not been recently.

He was not quite as involved in the second half but there were still nice moments. Spurs' best attack came when Simons played the ball into Pape Matar Sarr's path and Aaron Ramsdale was forced into a brilliant save.

Simons did not come away with an assist or his first Spurs goal, but this was a much more encouraging night for the summer signing.

MORE ABOUT

Tottenham’s Carabao Cup run came to an underwhelming end at St James’ Park as Newcastle eased to a 2-0 victory.

Spurs have been widely lauded for their impressive away form this season, but their luck ran out on Tyneside as goals from Fabian Schar and Nick Woltemade on either side of half-time helped the hosts to a straightforward win.

It was far from a perfect showing for Eddie Howe’s side as Harvey Barnes missed a pair of gilt-edge chances, but they were never overly pressed by Tottenham.

The injury-hit Spurs, who travelled to the north-east with ten first-team players unavailable, were also wasteful in the tie, enjoying some impressive spells but failing to capitalise on them. Richarlison squandered chance after presentable chance, while former Arsenal ‘keeper Aaron Ramsdale produced a pair of remarkable saves to keep the Geordies ahead.

Both of Newcastle’s goals were arguably the products of individual errors. Schar headed home from a corner in the first half after Spurs were left shorthanded while Djed SPence tied his shoelaces elsewhere.

Woltemade made it two after the break, heading home after Spurs keeper Antonin Kinsky came out to collect a cross, but totally missed his flapping attempt at a clearance.

Spurs struggled in attack throughout the evening but grew increasingly gormless as the match clock wound down. Staring elimination in the face, Thomas Frank threw on the likes of Mohammed Kudus and Randal Kolo Muani in a desperate bid to rescue their Carabao Cup campaign, but they were ineffectual.

Thomas Frank has made four changes to his Tottenham team for tonight’s Carabao Cup trip to Newcastle.

It is the fourth game of a busy run for Spurs, with fixtures in midweek all the way through to the international break.

The competition represents one of Spurs' best chances of winning silverware this season, and so Frank will be tempted to go all out, even with a home match against Chelsea to come this weekend.

Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie are not fit to start in the back line, so Frank is short of defensive depth.

The Spurs boss said that both defenders were “on the [training pitch]”, but with “no timeframe” on potential returns to action.

Micky Van de Ven will take a deserved rest, starting on the bench as Kevin Danso takes a starting berth.

Pedro Porro would have been hoping for a rest but, amid reports of a significant injury to Archie Gray, he is needed again at full-back.

Joao Palhinha and Pape Matar Sarr start as holding midfielders, while Xavi Simons shifts out wide with Lucas Bergvall playing in the No10 role.

In attack, Randal Kolo Muani impressed in his hour against Everton on Sunday but does not start again in the north-east - Richarlison picks up the mantle.

Arne Slot slammed for 'diabolical' Arsenal comments: 'You can't say that as a football manager!'

Slot slammed for 'diabolical' Arsenal comments: 'You can't say that!'