Tottenham Hotspur will host Chelsea at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in a mouthwatering London derby on Sunday.
Spurs have struggled for consistency this season, combining big wins over Manchester City, Manchester United, and Aston Villa with disappointing defeats to teams lower in the table. After drawing 1-1 with Fulham, they were beaten 1-0 by Bournemouth on Thursday evening.
On the contrary, Chelsea have been impressive in boss Enzo Maresca’s first season at the helm. They are second in the league table and on a three-game winning run in the league, having recently beaten Leicester City, Aston Villa, and Southampton.
Without further ado, let us take a look at the key battles that could define the outcome of this fixture.
#1 Nicolas Jackson vs Tottenham centre-backs
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca decided to rest Nicolas Jackson in midweek as Chelsea made light work of Southampton in a 5-1 thrashing. So, the Senegalese will be fresh and ready to make a mark in the London derby.
Jackson has been among Chelsea’s most improved players this season, adding calm and composure to his finishes in front of goal. He has struck eight times in 13 league games. Monitoring his movements is difficult as the Blues striker is quick and physical, so the task of handling him should fall on the shoulders of Tottenham centre-backs.
Spurs’ injury problems piled up on Thursday when Ben Davies was forced with a hamstring injury, and with Micky van de Ven sidelined and Cristian Romero yet to return to training from a toe problem, teenage sensation Archie Gray might have to fill in alongside Radu Dragusin at the back for the time being. Once the lineups are out, Jackson will be licking his lips at the prospect of facing Gray and Dragusin.
#2 Cole Palmer vs Yves Bissouma
Cole Palmer is the beating heart of this Chelsea side. He is the creative glue, making Maresca’s side tick with his incisive passing, smart movement, flair and vision.
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— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 7, 2024
The England international can twist and turn, get out of tight spaces and create opportunities out of nothing. Therefore, Yves Bissouma will have his task cut out. Expected to operate in the No.6. role again in the absence of the suspended Rodrigo Bentancur, Bissouma cannot afford to give Palmer space and time on the ball. The Malian must stick closer to Chelsea’s creator-in-chief, trying to disrupt his rhythm and movement.
If the Spurs enforcer can keep Palmer under control, the hosts’ chances of beating Chelsea will become higher.
#3 Dejan Kulusevski vs Moises Caicedo
The midfield will be where the game will most likely be won or lost. Dejan Kulusevski—undoubtedly Spurs’ best player this season—started on the right flank in the 1-0 loss to Bournemouth. He was largely ineffective, so Postecoglou could bring him back in midfield on Sunday.
Creative and a top ball-carrier, Kulusevski will look to dictate the tempo of play from the middle of the park and get into the opposition’s box to score goals. Chelsea will aim to stop the Swede from influencing the play for the hosts and the task could be shouldered by Moises Caicedo. A diminutive presence, Caicedo is a fantastic ball-winner and never shies away from jumping into challenges and tackles.
The Ecuadorian will relish the prospective battle with Kulusevski and look to get the better of his adversary. All in all, it will be an intriguing battle between two key figures from both teams, trying to make each other’s presence felt.
