Chelsea v Tottenham: Premier League predictions, where to watch and free tip

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Sunday

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & Premier League, 4.30pm Sunday

Best bet

Draw
1pt 5-2 general

Team news

Chelsea
Christian Pulisic (hamstring) could be back in the squad but long-term absentee Billy Gilmour is still building up his match fitness.

Tottenham
Giovani Lo Celso (knock) is a doubt and Erik Lamela (calf) and Toby Alderweireld (groin) miss out.

Match preview

Chelsea and Tottenham have earned the right to be considered genuine Premier League title contenders and neither are likely to give an inch at Stamford Bridge this weekend.

Jose Mourinho has been focusing a lot on mental preparation as he bids to transform Spurs from nearly men to serial winners and would consider a positive result against Chelsea to be a major step forward.

He never lost a home game to Tottenham across two spells in the Chelsea dugout and is one of many former Blues bosses to have held the upper hand over the Lilywhites.

Chelsea have lost one of their last 30 home league games against Tottenham and did the double over Mourinho's outfit last season, winning 2-0 in north London and 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.

But there was no sign of an inferiority complex when Spurs dumped Chelsea out of the EFL Cup in September – drawing 1-1 and winning 5-4 on penalties – and Mourinho's men approach this week's match full of confidence after four successive league wins.

Mourinho's abrasive style and tactical approach are not everyone's cup of tea but the Portuguese is delivering the goods in the big matches.

Spurs are on a three-match winning streak in league games against big six opponents and were far more comfortable during last Saturday's 2-0 success at home to Manchester City than the shot statistics (22 to four in City's favour) would suggest.

They have become a tough side to beat and even the absence of injured centre-back Toby Alderweireld may not kill off their hopes this weekend.

Joe Rodon and Davinson Sanchez are competing to replace the Belgian and, whoever gets the nod will have the benefit of playing behind the powerful midfield trio of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Moussa Sissoko and Tanguy Ndombele.

Chelsea must find a way of unlocking the disciplined Spurs setup and certainly have plenty of top class creative talent to call on with Hakim Ziyech set to start and Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic expected to be in the squad after missing out at Newcastle last weekend.

The Blues are on a six-match winning streak and haven't tasted defeat since their EFL Cup exit at the hands of Spurs.

However, the absence of a home crowd is likely to hurt them on an occasion which usually benefits from a raucous atmosphere and their record against the top teams (no win in five against big six sides) should be another concern for punters thinking of lumping on the home victory.

It is a match which both teams would love to win but fear of defeat will also come into their thinking and the upshot could be a low-scoring stalemate.

Key stat

Chelsea have lost one of their last 30 home league games against Tottenham

Not got a bet365 account? Sign up today and get up to £100 in bet credits.

Up to £100 in Bet Credits for new customers at bet365. Min deposit £5. Bet Credits available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.

CLAIM OFFER HERE

MORE FREE BETS

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport