All eyes on Stamford Bridge on Saturday, as Chelsea hope to extend their lead at the top of the table with a victory over fifth-placed Tottenham (Watch live on NBCSN, 12:30 p.m. ET and online via Live Extra).
A London Derby is always a tantalizing prospect, but with so much at stake, this one could provide a bit of extra intrigue. When Chelsea came to White Hart Lane back in September, John Terry canceled out Gylfi Sigurdsson’s opener, Fernando Torres played like a man possessed and saw himself sent off, and the match ended even. Now, Spurs need at least a point if they want to keep their hopes of playing in the Champions League next season alive.
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Tottenham are currently four points back of fourth, but as Manchester City have two games in hand - three, come the end of the weekend - it’s really more like six. Life under Tim Sherwood has been unpredictable, to say the least. Spurs destroyed Newcastle, only to lose to Norwich before squeaking out a 1-0 victory over Cardiff last week, thanks to a goal from Roberto Soldado.
With Sherwood’s managerial style seemingly boiling down to an ability to pump his side up from the sidelines, is there much hope that his Spurs side will be able to take points from José Mourinho’s men? It’s worth remembering that the Chelsea manager has yet to lose a league match at Stamford Bridge - not to mention the fact that the Blues are undefeated in their last thirteen games, winning ten of those matches.
That leaves Chelsea top of the table - although, again, Manchester City’s games in hand keeps them not quite so comfortable in that position. Mourinho needs a win, and considering he doesn’t need to worry about midweek action, he’ll be gunning for all three points. Samuel Eto’o played all 90 for Cameroon on Wednesday, so Torres, who didn’t get called up for Spain, could very well have the chance to prove himself to all those doubting the striker. And despite Eden Hazard taking a knock while playing for Belgium, it’s expected that the spectacularly in-form attacker will be available for Saturday’s clash.
What they’re saying
Sherwood on Spurs surprise factor: “Sometimes when the expectation is not with you, it makes it a little bit easier,” said Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood. “Games against Chelsea at the Bridge, Arsenal at the Emirates and Liverpool at Anfield, perhaps the pressure’s off us a little bit and we can cause a surprise. We’re going to the Bridge, and that’s definitely tough, but sometimes expectancy works against you.”
Andre Schurrle on Chelsea’s title challenge: “We have to believe it. I think everyone believes it now. We have worked hard for this,” said the Blues’ midfielder, who scored a hat-trick last weekend in the win over Fulham. “We have to keep going, keep winning like we did at Fulham, then we will see at the end.”
Prediction
It just has to be Chelsea, doesn’t it? Sure, those who love Sherwood’s approach to management would love to see him outwit Mourinho, dealing a blow to the Portuguese’s ego. But Mourinho’s reputation isn’t undeserved, and there’s a reason Chelsea are top. Stability, predictability and yes, even a bit of boredom are likely to win out over the Sherwood roller-coaster.
