Graeme Le Saux on Chelsea v Spurs: Hard to see inconsistent Blues turning over Tottenham

Graeme Le Saux
30 March 2018

Graeme expects the spoils to be shared on Sunday

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Spurs haven't beaten Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in 27 home games and Betfair Ambassador Graeme Le Saux has played in nearly half of those, here he gives his verdict on Sunday's huge Premier League clash...

"Chelsea are incredibly inconsistent at the moment with mistakes and individual errors having crept into the team. Antonio Conte’s side have some major questions to answer on Sunday."

Chelsea v Tottenham
Sunday, 16:00 BST
Live on Sky Sports Main Event

This is a very different Spurs side

Chelsea are unbeaten in 27 home games against Spurs since 1990 - I've played in probably around 12 of those! Tottenham were always a good side, with plenty of flair but I felt, that we were often - psychologically at least - in control.

I was talking recently to Steffen Freund about when we won 3-2 at White Hart Lane courtesy of a last minute header from Marcel Desailly. It was such a strange game that swung back and forth, Frank Lampard was sent off but we were so determined to not let Spurs come out on top. At 2-2, there just seemed to be that mental block for them, they made uncharacteristic errors, although Steffen might not admit to them!

I mention this game in particular because for Spurs this weekend, things couldn't be any more different, they're a far more resilient side and I think this is their best chance to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in quite some time.

Hazard and Son the key men

Chelsea are incredibly inconsistent at the moment with mistakes and individual errors having crept into the team. Antonio Conte's side have some major questions to answer on Sunday. The history between the two teams and the stats being in Chelsea's favour do obviously count for something though and if I was the Chelsea manager, I'd have posters of said records plastered everywhere in the dressing room.

Looking at who will be the key players for each side, it's hard to get away from the likes of Son and Hazard. The former has really stepped up Harry Kane's absence and he gives Mauricio Pochettino more flexibility up top. He may not have the ruthless finishing streak of Kane but his work rate and tenacity will cause Chelsea problems; particularly if the back three remain too static.

Hazard has - and likely always will be - Chelsea's focal point and he enjoys playing against Spurs, his goal a few seasons ago in the 2-2 draw was stunning. There are question marks over where he'll play here though, he struggled by himself up front against Man City and I prefer to see him cutting in from that left hand side.
There's also the small issue for Antonio Conte about how he works to combat the creativity of Christian Eriksen, he'll need N'Golo Kante to be on top form to prevent the Dane from dictating play in front of their back three.

Dembele would make my team of the season

I'll also save a word for Mousa Dembele who has such an important role to play in this Spurs side. He sacrifices a huge amount for the team, he's a high quality player with incredible movement and he perhaps has some of his creativity taken away by always looking to get the ball to Eriksen. Regardless of that, he'd be in my team of the year without a doubt.

A draw here would probably suit Spurs more than Chelsea and Antonio Conte will surely throw everything at this game to close that five point gap but I just can't see Tottenham being turned over. On that basis I think a 1-1 draw would be a fair result.