Chelsea v Tottenham: From pretenders to contenders for the throne

The narrative continues

The fascination with Frank Lampard taking on his former boss and mentor Jose Mourinho really should have worn a bit thin by now.

After all, the pair have shared four touchlines to this point, with the 'apprentice' winning out on three of those occasions. There has even been a flare-up of sorts - verbal handbags if truth be told, during the Carabao Cup clash back in September - for those who like their successions bloody.

The dynamic is just too delicious though to let go. It is almost Shakespearean. Here is a guy whose professional life and personal development has substantially been shaped by the other. And now they're rivals.

If that's enough to keep us hooked, and glancing at the dug-out every few minutes this Sunday when Chelsea host Tottenham, the way this weird season is panning out only elevates the intrigue.

With Liverpool minus a towering Dutchman and with Manchester City suffering an identity crisis the path is clearer for either side to mount a genuine title charge this term. And presently both clubs are doing precisely that, both trading at shorter than 8.07/1 on the Exchange winner market.

After an opening day loss, Spurs have looked seriously impressive, displaying a cohesiveness that is invaluable in such chaotic times. Chelsea meanwhile have improved week on week, outscoring the rest of the Premier League in the process.

It is entirely possible that in the months to come Lampard and Mourinho will be rolling up their sleeves for a title scrap. Even Billy the Bard would have blanched at penning that.

The master and the apprentice

Until then however, each side are contenders to be contenders and though Lampard vs Mourinho must be relegated to a sub-plot given this is first against third - and let's not overlook too, a ferocious London derby - their relationship could conceivably have a direct influence on the outcome.

In two of their previous four meetings, the manager's tactical set-ups mirrored the other but it's pertinent that the only time Mourinho came out on top was when he blind-sided the pretender to his throne by playing three at the back.

Might he be tempted to do so again this weekend?

Tottenham have so far reaped huge rewards this season with a 4-2-3-1 formation that allows the full-backs to push on while Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg drops deep. Crucially, it's a system that gets the best out of Son Heung-min whose output to date has been staggering.

Will the arch-pragmatist Mourinho keep things as is? Or will he veer to a three because it has previously undone the Blues? The absence of Toby Alderweireld may force his hand here.

Ultimately, what enthrals about this contest lies inside the coaches' minds. On the one hand Mourinho has the advantage of being vastly more experienced. On the other, Lampard knows every trick in his playbook.

Son is shining, record is sweet

But enough with the prodigal son narrative because the individual who might most have an impact on Sunday's proceedings is an actual Son.

The South Korean forward has been consistently explosive from the get-go this campaign, putting his accomplice Harry Kane in the shade by scoring a goal every 81 minutes in the league. Incredibly, his tally of nine equates to 43% of Tottenham's overall haul.

Across all competitions it gets even better with a direct goal involvement every 63 minutes but if the player's name is enough to conjure up an image of the net bulging it also evokes his red card in this fixture last term.

This brings us to disciplinary issues and it may surprise that this all-London affair is traditionally less feisty than reputation has it. The forward's dismissal was the first since 2013 and for the record Spurs have picked up 53 yellows in the last 20 encounters compared to Chelsea's 37.

Son is 9/4 to score anytime at the Bridge

In defence of Chelsea's back-line

We are reluctant to scapegoat. It's never nice to scapegoat.

Yet when looking at Chelsea's much-maligned defence and the recent spiked improvement that's see them concede just once since mid-October it's hard not to place a spotlight on 6ft 2 Andreas Christensen.

In the 360 minutes that Kurt Zouma has been partnered with Thiago Silva at the back Chelsea have relinquished just a single goal. In the 360 minutes that either defender has paired up with the Dane, Chelsea have shipped in nine.

It's never as simple as that of course and sharper fitness levels and new signings settling in have all played a part. "It's driven by the players, always will be," was how Lampard explained the new-found miserliness recently.

It could also be suggested that Chelsea's defensive frailties have been exaggerated this whole time. Eight clean sheets in 15 games across all comps is not a bad return by anyone's standards.

Chelsea are 10/1 to triumph 2-0, replicating the score-line at White Hart Lane last season (it was 2-1 at Stamford Bridge).

A game of two halves

The stats bear out why both sides are in the ascendency and this is especially true of Chelsea.

Though Spurs lie second in the xG table, illustrating the high number of chances they are creating, their form largely derives from performing consistently as a collective. It's the Mourinho way.

Lampard's men however, boast the second highest possession across the Premier League and are second best too in passing accuracy. No other team have won more aerial duels.

All of which goes a long way to explaining why each side is so prolific of late though it's when they're converting that is of particular interest.

Chelsea have scored 15 of their 22 goals in the second period. Spurs have scored 11 of their 21 in the first half.

How they have been divvied up is also noteworthy. Eighteen of Tottenham's 21 have been slotted home by their front three. Chelsea by comparison have shared their bounty around with only 10/22 coming courtesy of attackers. Indeed 31% have been notched by a defence that until a month ago was heavily maligned.

A tempting 19/1 is available for Tottenham/Chelsea in the half-time/full-time market.