Tottenham is in the hot topic among all EPL clubs in the past few weeks. Who would have thought that Spurs would be the temporary leaders of the EPL until the 10th matchday of the 2023-2024 EPL season. Ange Postecoglu has had a surprisingly significant impact on Lillywhite’s game.
Even though he had lost Harry Kane as the club’s captain and top scorer, Postecoglu was able to mix and bring out the best side of the old faces at the club, while buying players who were the missing link at Spurs. James Maddison, Micky Van de Ven and Guglielmo Vicario were early season purchases who immediately became core players in the team’s backbone positions.
Combined with old players such as Son Heung-Min who has scored 8 goals in the league, Richarlison, Kulusevski and Cristian Romero, this Australian coach has also been brilliant in reviving the best game of the twin motorbikes Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr.
A good team always knows that each player has an important role, this is where Spurs excel this season. Even though they don’t always win ball possessions or play beautifully, the role of each player stands out in their respective capacities.
Bissouma, for example, looks welcome to play the ball at his feet even though his position is a bit dangerous in front of the heart of the defense. Likewise with Pedro Porro, who has more overlapping duties.
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, will be the arrival of fellow London neighbors, The Blues Chelsea. Having been Spurs’ nemesis in previous seasons, especially when Spurs failed to win the League in 2016, the White London Team began to erode last season.
Chelsea’s unsteadiness after the departure of Roman Abramovich immediately had an impact on their superiority over Sputs. Spurs won one draw and one match in the EPL last season.
Current conditions do not seem to have changed much. Even though they have spent hundreds of millions of dollars to buy players, the Blues are still not showing a solid game.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino still has a lot of homework to do, especially on his front line. This coach from Argentina will be in the spotlight in this comeback match. Pochet and Spurs were together for five years, until they became Champions League finalists and league runners-up. He also produced star quality players such as Delle Ali, Eric Dier and especially Harry Kane. Ange Postecoglu respects all of Pochet’s work at Spurs, but says there will be no Guard of Honour for Pochet.
Nicolas Jackson will always be given a place to develop in Chelsea’s attacking post. There is no better place to adapt and learn than on the field. Cole Palmer has also shown his fangs by being an important player in the last few matches. Enzo and Caicedo will have an exciting battle with the Spurs anchor duo. They are superior in skill, but physically they are still superior to the Spurs players.
Chelsea’s ball flow is quite highlighted because it is quite slow. They look very careful in building attacks, while if the opponent takes the ball, negative transitions look a bit difficult. The presence of Reece James will provide strength on the right side. In front of him could be Sterling, who scored a goal in the Carabao Cup last Thursday.
Spurs will benefit slightly from the break because they have lost in the League Cup. As hosts, they will also take the initiative to attack first. What you need to watch out for is the explosion from Chelsea wingers like Sterling and Mudryk. They are often invisible for the majority of the match, but can suddenly break free and score goals.
Estimated Formation:
Tottenham Hotspur (Rank 2) 4-2-3-1 : Vicario; Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Davies; Sarr, Bissouma; Richarlison, Maddison, Kulusevski; Son
Coach: Ange Postecoglu
Chelsea (Rank 12) 4-2-3-1: Sanchez; James, Silva, Colwill, Cucurella; Enzo, Caicedo; Sterling, Gallagher, Palmer; Jackson
Coach: Mauricio Pochettino
Head to head
02-26-2023: Tottenham vs Chelsea (2-0)
08-14-2022: Chelsea vs Tottenham (2-2)
01-23-2022: Chelsea vs Tottenham (2-0)
01-13-2022: Tottenham vs Chelsea (0-1)
01-06-2022: Chelsea vs Tottenham (2-0)
Spurs last 5 matches:
10-28-23: Palace vs Tottenham (1-2)
10-24-23: Tottenham vs Fulham (2-0)
07-10-23: Luton vs Tottenham (0-1)
09-30-23: Tottenham vs Liverpool (2-1)
09-24-23: Arsenal vs Tottenham (2-2)
Chelsea’s last 5 matches:
02-11-23: Chelsea vs Blackburn (2-0)
10-28-23: Chelsea vs Brentford (0-2)
10-21-23: Chelsea vs Arsenal (2-2)
10-07-23: Burnley vs Chelsea (1-4)
10-03-23: Fulham vs Chelsea (0-2)
ASL
