London Evening Standard

Chelsea make the short trip from SW6 to N17 this afternoon as they size up a derby clash with arch-rivals Tottenham.

The two sides had mixed fortunes in the Carabao Cup this week. Tottenham found themselves knocked out of the tournament by Newcastle as they lost 2-0 at St James’ Park, while Chelsea progressed with a narrow win over Wolves.

They did not do it the easy way, though. After leading 3-0 at half-time, they resisted a second-half retort from their hosts to edge out a 4-3 win, sealed by Jamie Gittens’ late thunderbolt.

Chelsea have won nine of their last 11 meetings with Spurs, and will be keen to extend that form under the lights at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Spurs lead Chelsea in the Premier League table at present, but the Blues stand to leapfrog their rivals with a win.

With both sides eyeing midweek Champions League action - Chelsea away to Qarabag of Azerbaijan and Spurs at home to Copenhagen - both sides will be chasing a confidence-boosting result here.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to follow the action...

TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League, with coverage starting at 5pm ahead of a 5.30pm kick-off.

Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app and website.

Tottenham are set to be boosted by the return of Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie against Chelsea on Saturday evening.

The pair have not played since the international break earlier this month and have been training individually to step up their recoveries.

Romero has had an adductor issue and Udogie picked up a knee injury while on Italy duty, but both are in contention to face Chelsea. Wilson Odobert is also fit and available after a side strain.

"[The] positive is that Romero, Destiny and Wilson are available for selection to the squad," Frank said at his pre-match press conference.

Frank could opt to be cautious with Udogie and give him minutes off the bench, but there is every chance Romero comes straight back into the starting lineup for such a big match.

Guglielmo Vicario will return to the starting lineup after being left out of the squad for the midweek Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle.

Archie Gray is out with a calf injury and Dominic Solanke will not return until after the international break, as his recovery from ankle surgery remains slow.

Frank has opted for a slightly different shape in recent matches, almost with two No10s when Spurs have the ball.

Even though they have played a lot of football recently, Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur are likely to start at the base of midfield again.

Lucas Bergvall played the role off the left wing against Newcastle, while Xavi Simons did so in the win over Everton with Mohammed Kudus as the No10.

Brennan Johnson was unconvincing in both of those matches and could drop out of the side. Richarlison has also struggled for form and Frank must be tempted to start Randal Kolo Muani up front.

Good news for Spurs ahead of Premier League showdown with Chelsea

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Enzo Maresca made 10 changes as the Blues beat Wolves 4-3 to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday, resting a number of key players.

Maresca has confirmed Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo are available to start against Spurs, despite nursing injuries and coming off the bench at Molineux.

He has also said Joao Pedro, who has been playing through a groin issue, is available to return at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday after been rested against Wolves.

Speaking on Friday, Maresca provided an injury update on Fernandez, Caicedo and Joao Pedro ahead of the Spurs game and said: “Yes, they are OK, they are available.

“The reason why Joao didn't play against Wolves is because we tried to protect him. The same thing was with Enzo and Moi, just to give them some minutes, but the idea is to protect these players.”

That leaves Joao Pedro and Marc Guiu, who started his first Premier League game in last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat to Sunderland, as the only two senior strikers available.

Dario Essugo is also working his way back from thigh surgery and is not expected back until next year, while Levi Colwill is set to miss the majority of the season with a knee injury.

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Matt Verri

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

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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.

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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

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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.

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Spurs are now without 12 first-team players

Cristian Romero, Guglielmo Vicario and Archie Gray

London Standard

Arthur Ferridge

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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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."