STAR PREVIEW Sun: Chelsea v Tottenham

Big things are expected of Antonio Conte and Tottenham this season and they can make a massive statement with a win at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea.

The Premier League season is a marathon not a sprint, but we should learn a lot about the aspirations of both these sides, seen by layers as the closet challengers to Manchester City and Liverpool. Spurs are given a better chance of shaking up the top pair based on the odds and their performances under Conte since his arrival suggest that assessment is correct.

Since the Italian’s arrival Spurs have won 69 points – comfortably the third best in the division – and that’s backed up by the fact they’ve also had the best expected goals ratings, and the highest chance conversion rate in the league during his tenure.

They were impressive when smashing Southampton 4-1 on the opening weekend, when they barely flinched after going behind to an early James Ward-Prowse volley, with Dejan Kulusevski giving a virtuoso display as the Lilywhites were once again extremely efficient, with half of their first six shots leading to goals.

Rodrigo Betancur and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg provided a solid base in midfield but the real adage was done on the wings, with Kulusevski dominating the right side whilst Ryan Sessegnon was a menace on the left.

Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son had a lower key game than usual last week but both will expect to play a big part in today’s game.

Chelsea v Tottenham
Premier League
Stamford Bridge
Kick-Off: 16:30

HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
JAN 2022 PREMIER LEAGUE Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham
JAN 2022 EFL CUP Tottenham 0-1 Chelsea
JAN 2022 EFL CUP Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham
SEP 2021 PREMIER LEAGUE Tottenham 0-3 Chelsea
FEB 2021 PREMIER LEAGUE Tottenham 0-1 Chelsea
NOV 2020 PREMIER LEAGUE Chelsea 0-0 Tottenham
SEP 2020 EFL CUP Tottenham 1-1 Chelsea
DEC 2020 PREMIER LEAGUE Tottenham 0-2 Chelsea
FEB 2019 PREMIER LEAGUE Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham
JAN 2019 CARABAO CUP Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham
JAN 2019 CARABAO CUP Tottenham 1-0 Chelsea
NOV 2018 PREMIER LEAGUE Tottenham 3-1 Chelsea

Spurs have a dire recent record against Chelsea – indeed Conte was at the helm for a pair of 2-0 defeats at Stamford Bridge last season in the EFL Cup and Premier League – but Conte employed a back four in the second of those league defeats and Spurs have since added Kulusevski and Betancur to their side.

Chelsea made a winning start to their season with a functional 1-0 win over Everton last week when they held the toffees at arm’s length with relative ease, but they were helped by the fact Everton had no recognised striker and this will obviously be a much more difficult test.

Thomas Tuchel has had a slightly frustrating transfer window – for all that Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella have all arrived – and whilst Sterling looked lively, Kai Havertz and Mason Mount struggled to make their mark on the game and Chelsea will need their forwarded to up their game, and quickly.

The Blues are obviously worthy of huge respect, but quotes of 5/4 feel short given Tottenham’s progression under Conte. A dire record at Stamford Bridge might be off-putting, but Spurs drew at Liverpool and won at Manchester City towards the back end of last season, whilst Chelsea have won only five of their last 14 league matches at home. 21/10 looks big about the away side and 4/6 on them taking at least a point appeals too.

WILLIAM KEDJANYI

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