Prediction: Chelsea vs Tottenham

Verdict: Tottenham win

Best Odds: 9/4

Bookmaker: Bet365

Chelsea will look to shake off the disappointment of Sunday’s EFL Cup final defeat to Manchester City when they welcome arch-rivals Tottenham to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea

Starting with the hosts, while Chelsea’s performance at Wembley should have taken the headlines on Sunday, it was goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga’s antics that had everyone talking. Suffering a penalties defeat and seeing Manchester City leave with the EFL Cup, many believe Maurizio Sarri’s position at Stamford Bridge is becoming untenable. Now sat down in sixth and three points adrift of climbing back into the top four, the Blues have now lost three of their last four Premier League outings. More worrying, the former Napoli boss has seen his side lose four of their last five against top-flight opposition. Despite arguably saving their best performances for their showings in West London, Wednesday’s hosts must improve on their recent performances against established top six opposition. Including their Cup final defeat over the weekend, Chelsea have won just one of their last six matches against the divisions’ elite sides.

Team News

Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri says he has not decided if he will pick goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga after he refused to be substituted in the League Cup final.

Forward Callum Hudson-Odoi and midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek could be handed starts.

Tottenham

As for the visitors, slumping to a surprise 2-1 loss away at Burnley over the weekend, many believe that Tottenham’s title dreams have been crushed for another season. Seeing their four-match winning run come to an end and now sat five points adrift of the leading pack, Mauricio Pochettino will be desperate for Spurs to improve on their form away from Wembley. The Lilywhites have lost their last three matches on the road, including a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge last month. In fact, if Tottenham slump to a fourth defeat across London on Wednesday, it would be the first time since a run of seven in a row under Harry Redknapp from December 2008 to February 2009. If Spurs are to put last weekend’s disappointment behind them, then they will be looking for the returning Harry Kane to lead their charge. Finding the net at Turf Moor after his return from injury, the England captain now has eight goals in his last eight matches across all competitions.

Team News

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is again without Eric Dier due to tonsillitis.

Fellow midfielder Dele Alli is not yet ready to return from his hamstring problem.

Key Factors to Consider

• Tottenham ended their 30-match winless run away at Chelsea in the corresponding league encounter last season. However, they lost at Stamford Bridge in the League Cup semi-final second leg last month.
• Spurs have won three of the past four Premier League meetings, as many as they had in their previous 20 attempts.
• Chelsea have lost six of their last 14 top-flight fixtures, a run that began with a 3-1 defeat by Tottenham on 24 November.
• Tottenham have taken 15 points from six London derbies this season; only Arsenal, with 16 in eight games, have earned more.
• Harry Kane has eight goals in his last eight matches across all competitions.

Conclusion

While Tottenham are coming off the defeat on the road, Pochettino should see Wednesday as a chance to gain some much-needed momentum. With Spurs winning their last two Premier League matches against Chelsea and the return of Harry Kane, we’re backing the visitors to pile more pressure on Maurizio Sarri in midweek.

Verdict: Tottenham win

Best Odds: 9/4

Bookmaker: Bet365