Chelsea could gain big advantage in title race this weekend

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has continually played down talk of his team’s title credentials

Chelsea has the chance to go seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table this weekend.

The Blues host Tottenham in the 5PM kick-off on Saturday and a win would give the Blues a major gap between themselves and their competitors.

Depleted

Chelsea and Tottenham are the only two top-six teams in Premier League action this weekend, as the top-flight schedule has been hit by FA Cup quarter-finals.

Arsenal and Manchester City will be looking to progress to the semi-finals of the competition, but will also have one eye on the London derby at Stamford Bridge.

Extra games

Despite Manchester City currently lying in fourth place in the table, the Citizens have to be considered Chelsea’s biggest rivals for the title. Manuel Pellegrini’s side are six points off the top, but have two games in hand on the teams around them.

City have also been given the boost of star striker Sergio Aguero’s return to fitness and the Capital One Cup victory over Sunderland will have also raised spirits amongst the City players, after the Citizens went through a sticky patch.

Winner

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was brought back to Stamford Bridge this summer to reclaim the Premier League title and at the moment he looks like he is going to complete his mission. As much as the Portuguese attempts to play mind games and attempts to deny Chelsea’s title ambitions they are currently the favourites for the title.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich knew exactly what he was getting by bringing back Mourinho from Madrid. He was getting a man that is a serial trophy collector. Wherever he has been, including his first spell at Chelsea, he has picked-up silverware.

Never mind the man with the golden touch, Mourinho is the man with the silver touch. The self-proclaimed ‘Special One’ may be many things, but the one that matters to him is that he is a winner.

Chelsea and Mourinho have at times been criticised for their style of play this season, but I doubt many fans will care about the style of play if the Blues claim the title at the end of the season.

Gap

Chelsea have a major opportunity to put light between themselves and their rivals Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City. A win over Tottenham is not guaranteed, but the Blues have dropped just four points at home this season in the Premier League and won four out of their last five games at Stamford Bridge.

Not surprisingly the Blues have the best home record in the Premier League and look formidable on home soil. A win against Spurs would then put tremendous pressure on their rivals for the rest of the season. All three of their title rivals would then be playing catch-up with the Blues.

Dire

Although Tottenham have picked up some decent form under Tim Sherwood, their record at Chelsea is absolutely dire. Spurs have failed to win at Stamford Bridge in their last 26 visits and could be up against it again in this visit, as Chelsea have kept clean sheets in their last four games on home soil.

Tottenham will be desperate for a victory to attempt to stay in touch with the top four. However, a defeat at Stamford Bridge would no doubt be a near fatal blow to Spurs’ Champions League ambitions this season.

Difficult

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger recently said that it would be difficult for his side to catch Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table. The Gunners are not the only side that will find it difficult to catch up to the Blues.

Most of Chelsea’s Premier League rivals could find it difficult, especially Arsenal, who face a nightmare run of fixture that involves facing four of the top six, including Chelsea and arch-rivals Spurs.

Favourites

Chelsea currently look like favourites for the Premier League title and are odds of 11/10 to win it, but a victory over Spurs would make the Blues massive favourites to claim the league crown. I wonder how much longer Mr Mourinho can pretend to be humble.

I am sure controversial Chelsea boss will continue to try and underplay his team’s chance of a title success, but a seven point lead at this stage of the season would tell a very different story.

Are Chelsea now clear favourites for the Premier League title?