Sports Mole

Tottenham Hotspur return to action on Thursday evening when they play the trip to Scotland to face to Rangers in the Europa League.

Ange Postecoglou's side are on a four-match winless streak in all competitions, the latest disappointment coming on Sunday as they let slip a two-goal lead against Chelsea to lose in a seven-goal thriller.

Although the North Londoners have fared better in this competition, they know that a win is needed to bolster their hopes of securing a place in the last 16.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up Tottenham's latest injury and suspension news ahead of their showdown with a team in Rangers who are direct rivals for a place in the top eight.

Guglielmo Vicario

Status: Out

Type of injury: Ankle

Possible return date: Unknown

First-choice goalkeeper Vicario remarkably played for over an hour at the Etihad Stadium last month with a broken ankle, which he has since undergone surgery for, and Postecoglou has confirmed that the Italian faces months out of action.

Cristian Romero

Status: Out

Type of injury: Thigh

Possible return date: Unknown

Although Romero made a return from a toe injury against Chelsea, he lasted just 20 minutes courtesy of sustaining what Postecoglou described as an issue with his quad. As it stands, it is unclear how long the World Cup winner will be sidelined for, but he will not feature in this match.

Richarlison

Status: Out

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: January 15 (vs. Arsenal)

Richarlison's hamstring problem is expected to render him unavailable until the early stages of January, potentially meaning that he could make his comeback in the next North London derby.

Micky van de Ven

Status: Major doubt

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: December 12 (vs. Rangers)

Van de Ven made a surprise return from a hamstring injury against Chelsea before being withdrawn in the second half. Although the Netherlands international was seen holding the back of his leg prior to his substitution, Postecoglou has insisted that the defender was suffering with 'nothing significant'.

Wilson Odobert

Status: Out

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: Unknown

Just after making a comeback from one hamstring problem, summer signing Odobert sustained an even more severe injury in the same area and will be out for the long-term after undergoing an operation.

Mikey Moore

Status: Major doubt

Type of injury: Illness

Possible return date: December 12 (vs. Rangers)

Teenage sensation Moore has been laid low by a troublesome illness this month, and Postecoglou has conceded that it will be at least the middle of the month before the 17-year-old makes his return.

Ben Davies

Status: Out

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: Unknown

Spurs were handed a further defensive blow last week when Davies sustained a hamstring injury. There is currently every indication that the Wales international could be sidelined for the remainder of 2024.

Brennan Johnson

Status: Minor doubt

Type of injury: Illness

Possible return date: December 12 (vs. Rangers)

Johnson needed to be withdrawn shortly after half time against Chelsea due to feeling ill. While the Wales international will now be assessed, he is expected to remain in contention for Thursday night.

TOTTENHAM'S SUSPENSION LIST

With Rodrigo Bentancur's ban only applying to domestic fixtures, Spurs have no suspension issues for this fixture.

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Romeo Lavia's withdrawal at half time of Chelsea's win against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon was precautionary, boss Enzo Maresca revealed.

Tottenham had taken a 2-0 lead after just 11 minutes, but a resurgent second-half display ensured that the Blues took all three points back to Stamford Bridge, with the visitors ultimately winning 4-3.

The result means that Chelsea are second in the Premier League after 15 matches, just four points fewer than leaders Liverpool.

However, midfielder Lavia did not appear in the second half, but Maresca has insisted that the Belgian's issue was only minor, telling reporters: "Unfortunately he felt something in his hamstring in the last minutes of the first-half. Now, he's walking without any pain. It was a small thing.

"Since we started, I don't like to lose players for five, six, seven games in a row. Even if Romeo was playing fantastic, we tried to change because he had a problem."

Strength in depth

Lavia's substitution was ultimately not costly, with Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandes taking control in the second 45 minutes, the latter of whom scored Chelsea's third of the match.

The duo have faced significant criticism since their arrival at Stamford Bridge, but Fernandez has already scored three goals and produced eight assists for the Blues this season, while Caicedo has been praised for his excellent performances with and without the ball.

Maresca has not chosen the same double pivot in midfield in any of his side's last six games, but his team still managed to win five times.

The Chelsea boss has previously noted the improvement's from Fernandez in terms of his attacking output, but has also highlighted his improved understanding of his midfield role, saying: "[Fernandez] is improving a lot especially in terms of understanding the game and the position.

"This is what we need from the attacking players. He has many things he can do better but not only him, all of the players."

Chelsea title charge?

Maresca appears to have succeeded where Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino and Frank Lampard failed, with the Italian maximising the immense talent at his disposal.

Though Liverpool have a game in hand on Chelsea, it is difficult to count the Blues out of the title race, especially after both Arsenal and Manchester City dropped points against Fulham and Crystal Palace respectively.

Chelsea are also the league's top goalscorers having found the back of the net 35 times this campaign, and with their schedule relatively more straightforward than the likes of Arsenal, who have to compete in the Champions League as opposed to the Conference League.

One area of concern for Maresca could be his side's defensive showings, as while their record of 18 conceded is the joint third best in the top flight, they have kept just three clean sheets in the Premier League this term.

Regardless, Chelsea are certainly well positioned to capitalise should Liverpool drop more points, and there is no reason to think the Blues cannot have a successful 2024-25 season.

Chelsea came from two goals behind to record a 4-3 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in Sunday's spectacular Premier League contest at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The result has moved the Blues back into second spot in the Premier League table, four points behind leaders Liverpool, while Tottenham remain down in 11th, with Ange Postecoglou's side losing their seventh league game of the season.

The breakthrough arrived after just five minutes, as Dominic Solanke turned a dangerous cross from Brennan Johnson into the back of the net from close range to spark jubilant scenes inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Tottenham scored again in the 11th minute, with Dejan Kulusevski picking out the bottom corner after working his way into the penalty box.

Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella slipped for Tottenham's first goal, allowing Johnson to drive into a crossing position, and he was also sliding around before Kulusevski netted a second, with the Spaniard heading over to the bench at 2-0 to change his boots.

Chelsea were back in it in the 18th minute, though, as Jadon Sancho found the bottom corner off an assist from the heavily-involved Cucurella, and it was an excellent finish from the on-loan Manchester United attacker.

Pape Sarr headed against the crossbar late in the first period, just moments after being heavily challenged by Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo, which was not viewed to be excessive in the eyes or the referee or VAR.

Chelsea were awarded a penalty in the 59th minute of the contest when Caicedo was brought to the ground by Yves Bissouma with a rash challenge, and Cole Palmer stepped up to level the scores for Enzo Maresca's side.

The turnaround was then complete in the 74th minute, with Enzo Fernandez smashing one into the back of the net on the half-volley following excellent work from Palmer.

Chelsea were awarded another penalty in the 83rd minute when Sarr brought Palmer to the ground, and the ex-Manchester City youngster stepped up to score his second spot kick of the match and secure all the points for the Blues, who have once again demonstrated why they should be placed in the title argument this season.

Spurs did net a consolation late on through Son Heung-min, but there was never enough time for the hosts to score what would have been an incredible fourth.

TOTTENHAM VS. CHELSEA HIGHLIGHTS

Dominic Solanke goal vs. Chelsea (5th min, Tottenham 1-0 Chelsea)

Tottenham make the breakthrough in the fifth minute of the match, as Solanke turns a cross from Johnson into the back of the net from close range; Solanke gets ahead of Levi Colwill to make contact, and the North London outfit are ahead on home soil.

Dejan Kulusevski goal vs. Chelsea (11th min, Tottenham 2-0 Chelsea)

Tottenham have their second of the match in the 11th minute, with Kulusevski finding the bottom corner with a strike from just inside the Chelsea box; Cucurella slipped again in the build-up and then went straight over to change his boots after Kulusevski found the corner.

Jadon Sancho goal vs. Tottenham (18th min, Tottenham 2-1 Chelsea)

Sancho finds the bottom corner from a Cucurella assist, and it is very much game on at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium; that is now goals in successive Chelsea matches for the on-loan Manchester United attacker.

Cole Palmer goal vs. Tottenham (61st min, Tottenham 2-2 Chelsea)

Chelsea level the scores in the 61st minute of the match, as Palmer sends his penalty past the Tottenham goalkeeper; a rash challenge from Bissouma and Caicedo saw the spot kick awarded, and Chelsea's number 20 made no mistake from the spot.

Enzo Fernandez goal vs. Tottenham (74th min, Tottenham 2-3 Chelsea)

Chelsea score a third in the 74th minute, with Fernandez smashing one into the back of the net from inside the box after smart work from Palmer; incredible scenes at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - the Blues have turned this game around to lead.

Cole Palmer goal vs. Tottenham (84th min, Tottenham 2-4 Chelsea)

Palmer scores his second penalty of the match after being fouled by Sarr inside the box; it is straight down the middle from the England international, and Tottenham are somehow now 4-2 behind on home soil.

Could they? Tottenham have a third late on through Son, who turns in from close range, but it is surely too little, too late.

MAN OF THE MATCH - COLE PALMER

Palmer, as has often been the case, was Chelsea's star of the show on Sunday, with the England international scoring twice from the penalty spot, while he set up Fernandez for his side's third of the afternoon.

Tottenham just could not live with the 22-year-old, who had four successful dribbles and four shots during a sensational display at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and he beats teammate Fernandez to his award.

TOTTENHAM VS. CHELSEA MATCH STATS

Possession: Tottenham 38%-62% Chelsea

Shots: Tottenham 13-17 Chelsea

Shots on target: Tottenham 5-8 Chelsea

Corners: Tottenham 5-10 Chelsea

Fouls: Tottenham 17-11 Chelsea

BEST STATS

WHAT NEXT?

Chelsea will be bidding to make it six straight wins in all competitions when they head to Astana in the Conference League on Thursday night, before welcoming Brentford in the Premier League next Sunday.

Chelsea have made seven changes for Sunday's Premier League clash at Tottenham Hotspur.

Four days on from the Blues thrashing Southampton at St Mary's, head coach Enzo Maresca has chosen to make yet another seven alterations to his starting lineup.

Maresca had already confirmed that goalkeeper Robert Sanchez would be returning between the sticks, the Spaniard taking the place of Filip Jorgensen.

The only players to retain their spots in the side from the Southampton game are Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella, Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer.

Caicedo switches to right-back with Malo Gusto dropping to the substitutes' bench, while Benoit Badiashile has gotten the nod over Tosin Adarabioyo.

Romeo Lavia is back after a rest in midweek, while Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho are preferred to Noni Madueke and Joao Felix on the flanks.

Meanwhile, Nicolas Jackson returns down the centre of the attack in place of Christopher Nkunku.

Double boost for Spurs

As for Spurs, Ange Postecoglou has been handed a major boost with Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven both being passed fit to start in the centre of defence.

Both players had been deemed unlikely to start this contest, particularly Van de Ven, but the duo return after ankle and hamstring injuries respectively.

Pedro Porro and Son Heung-min are also recalled at right-back and down the middle of the attack respectively as Spurs look to bounce back from their defeat at Bournemouth on Thursday night.

Archie Gray, the injured Ben Davies, Radu Dragusin and James Maddison are the quartet to drop out of the team.

Tottenham Hotspur XI: Forster; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bissouma, Sarr, Kulusevski; Johnson, Solanke, Son

Subs: Austin, Spence, Dragusin, Reguilon, Gray, Bergvall, Maddison, Werner, Lankshear

Fulham vs. Arsenal (Sunday, 2.00pm)

Arsenal past will reunite with Arsenal present on Sunday afternoon, as the Gunners take on a Fulham side housing a handful of their former stars in Sunday's Premier League London derby.

Both capital clubs earned two-goal successes in the midweek round of matches, as Mikel Arteta's team defeated Manchester United 2-0 before the Cottagers saw off Brighton & Hove Albion 3-1 to boost their European charge.

We say: Fulham 1-3 Arsenal

Each of Fulham's seven Premier League home matches this season has seen both teams score, and that trend ought to continue in this intriguing derby, as Arsenal can still get caught out defensively and are a little short on personnel in that area.

However, the Gunners should have won by more in midweek, and if all else fails, the visitors can rely on their Jover-inspired corner routines to see off a wildly inconsistent Cottagers team.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

> Four changes from Mikel? Predicted Arsenal XI against Fulham

> Three former Gunners to start: Predicted Fulham XI against Arsenal

> Will Gabriel, Calafiori return? Arsenal injury list for Fulham clash

Ipswich vs. Bournemouth (Sunday, 2.00pm)

Andoni Iraola will hope his Bournemouth side can continue their remarkable start to the 2024-25 Premier League season when they travel to Portman Road where they will face Ipswich Town on Sunday.

The hosts are third last in 18th place with just nine points, and their 1-0 defeat against Crystal Palace on December 3 meant they fell three points behind safety, while the Cherries beat Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 on Thursday and are in ninth place with 21 points.

We say: Ipswich Town 1-1 Bournemouth

Bournemouth's poor away record and defensive frailty could be something that the hosts look to exploit in the first half, taking advantage of any tired legs following the Cherries' win on Thursday.

However, Ipswich' struggles in the final third could give the visitors the opportunity they need to assert their dominance as the game goes on, and it would not be surprising if the points were shared on Sunday.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

> How relegation-threatened Ipswich Town could line up against Bournemouth

> How Tottenham-toppling Bournemouth could line up against Ipswich Town

Leicester vs. Brighton (Sunday, 2.00pm)

Looking to preserve their 100% record since the arrival of Ruud van Nistelrooy, Leicester City will welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to the King Power Stadium for a Premier League battle on Sunday afternoon.

The Foxes managed a 3-1 success over out-of-form West Ham United in the East Midlands on Tuesday night, whilst the Seagulls' poor run against Fulham continued at Craven Cottage two days later.

We say: Leicester City 1-2 Brighton & Hove Albion

Despite the comfortable-looking scoreline, Leicester rode their luck at times against West Ham and will not be able to get away with conceding countless shots for a second time this week.

Brighton were arguably the better side at Craven Cottage on Thursday night and should be able to return to winning ways at the home of the Foxes.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

> Verbruggen to be dropped? Brighton predicted XI vs. Leicester

> Who replaces Buonanotte? Leicester predicted XI vs. Brighton

Spurs vs. Chelsea (Sunday, 4.30pm)

On the back of contrasting performances on the South Coast, London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea headline Sunday's Premier League fixture list with a mouthwatering derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

While Enzo Maresca's men made extremely light work of Southampton in a 5-1 midweek mauling, their hosts were fortunate to only lose by a narrow margin in their 1-0 reverse at Bournemouth.

We say: Tottenham Hotspur 1-3 Chelsea

As Tottenham may be working with just one fit centre-back and a day's less rest than their opponents, the home faithful may resign themselves to a repeat of last year's home humbling at the hands of Chelsea.

Postecoglou's men were highly fortunate to only concede once on Bournemouth's turf, but a goal-happy Chelsea should not make the same attacking mistakes the Cherries did at one of their happiest hunting grounds.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

> A wonderful attacking dilemma: Predicted Chelsea XI against Tottenham

> Maddison dropped amid defensive crisis: Predicted Spurs XI against Chelsea

> Romero to return? Spurs injury, suspension list vs. Chelsea

> Fofana, James updates: Chelsea injury, suspension list vs. Tottenham

> Son Heung-min's record vs. Chelsea

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly identified a preferred alternative to Ange Postecoglou if they choose to part ways with their current head coach.

Last month, the North Londoners were celebrating a standout 4-0 victory over Manchester City in the Premier League, suggesting that they could now kick on towards the top four.

Instead, collecting just one point from games against Fulham and Bournemouth has led to some discontent in certain sections of the fanbase, particularly away from home.

Postecoglou has since launched a stubborn defence of his tenure, insisting that he does not concern himself whether he receives support from the club's fans.

According to FootballTransfers, though, it remains to be seen whether he will keep the backing of the boardroom at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the long term.

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McKenna on Spurs shortlist

The report claims that Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has been identified as Spurs' number one candidate if they choose to remove Postecoglou from the dugout.

Postecoglou is allegedly at risk of being sacked if Spurs do not become more consistent before January, there having already been six defeats in 14 Premier League fixtures.

Although Spurs remain just six points adrift of the top four, they have not recorded successive wins in the top flight since the end of September.

As for Ipswich, the newly-promoted side find themselves down in the relegation zone with just one victory to their name, coincidentally at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Nevertheless, McKenna, who signed a long-term contract in the summer, is deemed to be doing an excellent job at Portman Road and his stock remains high.

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How could a scenario play out?

While there would be surprise if Postecoglou were to leave Spurs, the 59-year-old has not helped himself with his responses to fan criticism and media questions over the past week.

He can also not fall back on his record since June 2023. Spurs have now lost 20 of their 62 matches with the Greek-Australian in charge.

With regards to McKenna, the Northern Irishman may not be prepared to leave the project at Ipswich at the midway point of the campaign, particularly if Spurs remain in the mid-table positions.

A London derby that always promises flashpoints and flair, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea renew hostilities at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday in the Premier League.

For Enzo Maresca's side, the all-capital clash provides an opportunity for them to cement their second-placed ranking in the top-flight table, having leapfrogged Arsenal thanks to a 5-1 crushing of Southampton in midweek.

In contrast, 10th-placed Spurs have just one win to their name from their last six matches after Thursday's 1-0 reverse at Bournemouth, and seven of their last 13 London derbies in the Premier League have ended in defeat.

Here, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at the head-to-head record and previous meetings between the two sides.

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Head-to-head record

Previous meetings: 177

Spurs wins: 56

Draws: 42

Chelsea wins: 79

One week before Christmas Day 1909, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea met in a competitive match for the very first time, a Division One encounter that the Blues edged 2-1 for the first of their 79 wins in this fixture.

The two-time Champions League winners boast the overall bragging rights over Spurs, who have by contrast come up trumps in 56 of their 177 clashes with Chelsea, and the two London rivals have shared the points on 42 occasions.

It was Chelsea who condemned Ange Postecoglou to his maiden Premier League defeat in the Tottenham chair in November 2023, when ex-Lilywhites manager Mauricio Pochettino masterminded a 4-1 win over nine-man Spurs, who had both Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie dismissed.

A less chaotic affair ensued at Stamford Bridge later that season, as Trevoh Chalobah and Nicolas Jackson registered in a 2-0 home victory for Chelsea in May 2024, earning the Blues their seventh win from their last nine games against Tottenham.

Spurs' only success in that sequence was a 2-0 home triumph of their own in February 2023, several months on from a ferocious 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge, where Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel's final-whistle fracas told the story of the day.

Frustrations boiling over between Tottenham and Chelsea is nothing new; the unforgettable 'Battle of the Bridge' in 2016 saw the Blues end Spurs' fleeting title chances in a 2-2 stalemate, sparking a massive post-match melee in which Tottenham received a staggering nine yellow cards.

The two London rivals have also clashed in a few high-profile cup contests, notably the 2007-08 EFL Cup final - Tottenham's most recent major trophy win - the 2014-15 showpiece match in the same tournament, which the Blues won, and the 2016-17 FA Cup semi-finals, a 4-2 triumph for Chelsea.

No Chelsea player enjoyed facing Tottenham more than Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who boasts a record 12 goals in this head-to-head, while ex-Spurs winger Cliff Jones and Bobby Smith - who represented both teams - struck 11 each in this particular fixture.

Last 20 meetings

May 02, 2024: Chelsea 2-0 Spurs (Premier League)

Nov 06, 2023: Spurs 1-4 Chelsea (Premier League)

Feb 26, 2023: Spurs 2-0 Chelsea (Premier League)

Aug 14, 2022: Chelsea 2-2 Spurs (Premier League)

Jan 23, 2022: Chelsea 2-0 Spurs (Premier League)

Jan 12, 2022: Spurs 0-1 Chelsea (EFL Cup Semi-Finals)

Jan 05, 2022: Chelsea 2-0 Spurs (EFL Cup Semi-Finals)

Sep 19, 2021: Spurs 0-3 Chelsea (Premier League)

Feb 04, 2021: Spurs 0-1 Chelsea (Premier League)

Nov 29, 2020: Chelsea 0-0 Spurs (Premier League)

Sep 29, 2020: Spurs 1-1 Chelsea (EFL Cup Fourth Round)

Feb 22, 2020: Chelsea 2-1 Spurs (Premier League)

Dec 22, 2019: Spurs 0-2 Chelsea (Premier League)

Feb 27, 2019: Chelsea 2-0 Spurs (Premier League)

Jan 24, 2019: Chelsea 2-1 Spurs (EFL Cup Semi-Finals)

Jan 08, 2019: Spurs 1-0 Chelsea (EFL Cup Semi-Finals)

Nov 24, 2018: Spurs 3-1 Chelsea (Premier League)

Apr 01, 2018: Chelsea 1-3 Spurs (Premier League)

Aug 20, 2017: Spurs 1-2 Chelsea (Premier League)

Apr 22, 2017: Chelsea 4-2 Spurs (FA Cup Semi-Finals)

Last 10 Premier League meetings

May 02, 2024: Chelsea 2-0 Spurs (Premier League)

Nov 06, 2023: Spurs 1-4 Chelsea (Premier League)

Feb 26, 2023: Spurs 2-0 Chelsea (Premier League)

Aug 14, 2022: Chelsea 2-2 Spurs (Premier League)

Jan 23, 2022: Chelsea 2-0 Spurs (Premier League)

Sep 19, 2021: Spurs 0-3 Chelsea (Premier League)

Feb 04, 2021: Spurs 0-1 Chelsea (Premier League)

Nov 29, 2020: Chelsea 0-0 Spurs (Premier League)

Feb 22, 2020: Chelsea 2-1 Spurs (Premier League)

Dec 22, 2019: Spurs 0-2 Chelsea (Premier League)

Read more on Spurs vs Chelsea

Fofana, James updates: Chelsea injury, suspension list vs. Tottenham

Romero to return? Spurs injury, suspension list vs. Chelsea

Click here to read our full preview for Spurs vs Chelsea

Maddison dropped amid defensive crisis: Predicted Spurs XI against Chelsea

A wonderful attacking dilemma: Predicted Chelsea XI against Tottenham

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Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has the best kind of attacking dilemmas to solve for Sunday's Premier League London derby away to Tottenham Hotspur.

The Blues slaughtered Southampton 5-1 on Wednesday evening to rise to second in the Premier League table, above Arsenal on goal difference and seven points behind leaders Liverpool.

Reece James, Wesley Fofana and Omari Kellyman - all of whom are nursing thigh injuries - were Chelsea's only absentees against the Saints, and Maresca should be working with an identical team for Sunday's derby.

The Blues boss did not shy away from shuffling his pack at St Mary's, and every member of his attacking quartet - Cole Palmer, Joao Felix, Noni Madueke and Christopher Nkunku - was directly involved in at least one goal.

However, only Palmer may be retained at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as Pedro Neto, Jadon Sancho and Nicolas Jackson - scorer of a hat-trick in this fixture last season - should come back into the first XI.

Enzo Fernandez has hit a rich vein of form since bumping Romeo Lavia down to the bench, though, and the Argentine ought to be retained alongside Moises Caicedo in the double pivot.

Axel Disasi has also made his case to deputise for Fofana regularly, but Tosin Adarabioyo and Filip Jorgensen can expect to cede their places to Levi Colwill and Robert Sanchez respectively.

Chelsea possible starting lineup:

Sanchez; Gusto, Disasi, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Sancho, Palmer, Neto; Jackson

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has been dealt another debilitating defensive blow ahead of Sunday's Premier League London derby against Chelsea.

The Lilywhites lost both the game and Ben Davies to injury against Bournemouth on Thursday evening, and Postecoglou has admitted that the Welshman's hamstring issue may sideline him for a while.

Davies is one of seven stricken Spurs men guaranteed to miss the visit of the Blues, as Micky van de Ven (hamstring), Rodrigo Bentancur (suspended), Guglielmo Vicario (ankle), Richarlison (hamstring), Mikey Moore (illness) and Wilson Odobert (hamstring) will also watch on helplessly.

Toe victim Cristian Romero is the only member of the injured crowd who might have a slim chance of being available, but if he is not deemed ready for a start, Postecoglou will have no choice but to partner Archie Gray with Radu Dragusin.

Gray moving across to centre-back would at least allow Pedro Porro to rejoin a backline also comprising Destiny Udogie and Fraser Forster, the latter of whom has filled Vicario's boots adequately since his superior's injury.

Due to Spurs' lack of fit defensive options, Postecoglou may sacrifice James Maddison from the midfield, allowing Pape Sarr and Yves Bissouma to provide a sturdy presence alongside Dejan Kulusevski.

Maddison dropping out would open up a spot for captain Son Heung-min to return to the final third alongside Brennan Johnson and Dominic Solanke, who recovered from illness to start against his former club on Thursday.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Forster; Porro, Gray, Dragusin, Udogie; Kulusevski, Bissouma, Sarr; Johnson, Solanke, Son

> Click here to see how Chelsea could line up for this clash

No Data Analysis info

On the back of contrasting performances on the South Coast, London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea headline Sunday's Premier League fixture list with a mouthwatering derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

While Enzo Maresca's men made extremely light work of Southampton in a 5-1 midweek mauling, their hosts were fortunate to only lose by a narrow margin in their 1-0 reverse at Bournemouth.

Match preview

© Imago

A handful of disgruntled Tottenham supporters did not hesitate to let Ange Postecoglou know what they truly thought of Thursday's horror show at Bournemouth, where a first-half header from teenage centre-back Dean Huijsen propelled the Cherries to the three points that their performance merited.

Only Bournemouth's own wastefulness in front of goal spared Spurs the humiliation of an even heavier defeat, but the Lilywhites' lacklustre display was pitiful in itself, even if the injury-ravaged visitors did end the evening with just one fit centre-back in their ranks.

A typically stoic Postecoglou accepted the "direct feedback" he received from the furious Lilywhites army as Spurs failed to escape mid-table obscurity; Sunday's hosts lie smack-bang in the centre of the Premier League standings in 10th place, six points below the Champions League positions.

Only one of Tottenham's last six matches across all tournaments has seen Postecoglou's men prevail, although it was their 4-0 upset of champions Manchester City a couple of weekends ago, and the Lilywhites are bidding to score for the 10th home game running in all competitions this weekend.

However, none of Spurs' last three home games against Roma, Fulham or Ipswich Town has ended in victory, and Postecoglou is yet to find that consistent winning formula in London derbies; Tottenham have only won four of their last 13 Premier League games against fellow sides from the capital, losing seven of them.

© Imago

As Tottenham's downfall at Bournemouth began with a first-half header from a centre-back, Chelsea's goal rush at Southampton was triggered in the same circumstances, as Axel Disasi breached the Saints' backline with just seven minutes on the St Mary's board.

Joe Aribo wasted little time in restoring parity for the men in red and white, but a rotated Chelsea side soon flaunted their attacking prowess again, as Christopher Nkunku, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer and Jadon Sancho all made the net bulge in the Blues' latest emphatic Premier League triumph.

As much as Maresca may continue to downplay Chelsea's chances of Premier League glory, Sunday's visitors are now the closest challengers to leaders Liverpool, having leapfrogged Arsenal on goal difference in midweek to sit second with a seven-point gap to make up to the Reds.

Victorious in each of their last four matches across all competitions - including their last three away from home - the Blues should now be the envy of rival supporters castigating their summer transfer business, and their penchant for success at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is evident.

Including last season's 4-1 triumph in this fixture, aided by a nine-man Tottenham's implosion, Chelsea have beaten Spurs in five of their last seven away matches, picking up more wins against the Lilywhites at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium than any other team since 2019.

Tottenham Hotspur Premier League form:

Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):

Chelsea Premier League form:

Chelsea form (all competitions):

Team News

© Imago

Serious injury was added to serious insult at the Vitality Stadium on Thursday evening, as Tottenham lost yet another centre-back in Ben Davies to a hamstring problem, one that Postecoglou fears will sideline him for a while.

With Micky van de Ven also sidelined with a thigh problem, Cristian Romero's return from a toe injury cannot come soon enough, although the teenage Archie Gray might have to fill in alongside Radu Dragusin at the back for the time being.

Rodrigo Bentancur (suspended), Guglielmo Vicario (ankle), Richarlison (hamstring), Mikey Moore (illness) and Wilson Odobert (hamstring) also remain out of the first-team picture for the time being, and after restricting Son Heung-min to a second-half cameo on Thursday, Postecoglou should immediately recall his skipper for the derby.

Chelsea's primary selection concerns also come in defence, albeit not to the same degree as Tottenham's injury crisis, as Wesley Fofana and Reece James are the only senior players missing for the visitors at the minute due to their hamstring problems.

Youngster Omari Kellyman is also absent for the same reason but would have never started this capital clash, where Pedro Neto, Sancho and Nicolas Jackson could all come back into a refreshed attacking setup, even if Madueke, Nkunku and Joao Felix all made their mark at St Mary's.

Levi Colwill and Robert Sanchez are also primed to return in the Blues' backline, but Disasi's performance in midweek merits another start for the Frenchman in place of the stricken Fofana.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Forster; Porro, Gray, Dragusin, Udogie; Kulusevski, Bissouma, Sarr; Johnson, Solanke, Son

Chelsea possible starting lineup:

Sanchez; Gusto, Disasi, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Sancho, Palmer, Neto; Jackson

We say: Tottenham Hotspur 1-3 Chelsea

As Tottenham may be working with just one fit centre-back and a day's less rest than their opponents, the home faithful may resign themselves to a repeat of last year's home humbling at the hands of Chelsea.

Postecoglou's men were highly fortunate to only concede once on Bournemouth's turf, but a goal-happy Chelsea should not make the same attacking mistakes the Cherries did at one of their happiest hunting grounds.

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