Match Preview: Spurs v Pochettino's Chelski; my prediction, team news, lineup, etc

Match Preview: Spurs v Pochettino's Chelski; my prediction, team news, lineup, etc

Even though Pochettino’s Chelski have had a bad start to the season, we shouldn’t take anything for granted. In this London derby, both teams are going to be up for it. If anything will motivate the Blue Boys, it will be getting one over on their superior London neighbours.

Yes, this long-awaited London derby is a sort of homecoming for Mauricio Pochettino. Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see how the Argentinian will be welcomed this Monday evening by our fans. Normally, spit and hate are directed at the players (and still will be) and their manager… but he was a very popular manager at Tottenham, even though Levy sacked him.  I suspect he will get a warm welcome.

We maintained our first-placed position by seeing off Crystal Palace 2-1 two Fridays ago, while the Blues overcame Blackburn Rovers 2-0 in midweek to reach the EFL Cup quarter-finals, even though they were thrashed by Brentford on their home turf 2-0 in the league last weekend.

Match preview

Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park often proves a troublesome occasion for many a team, and we could not unlock their backline throughout the first 45 minutes. Still, an unfortunate Joel Ward's own goal set the wheels in motion before Son increased our advantage. Jordan Ayew's last-gasp volley proved nothing more than a consolation as we achieved a feat that none of Ange’s Premier League managerial predecessors managed, taking 26 points from his first ten games in the competition.

Even though we are two points clear at the top for the time, victories for the Gunners, City and the Scousers over the weekend could bump us down to fourth spot by Monday.

Postecoglou will seek to become just the third Premier League head coach to go undefeated in his first 11 games unbeaten after Frank Clark and Maurizio Sarri.

Pochettino’s Russian Rasputin’s

I suppose Chelski can take some comfort in that their side have taken seven points from their last three top-flight fixtures on the road, albeit against a trio of bottom-half teams in Fulham, Bournemouth and newly-promoted Burnley. Still, anything is possible when the two enemies meet (both with new managers).

Spurs Premier League form:

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Pochettino’s team Premier League form:

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All form (all competitions):

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Spurs team news

Destiny Udogie sat out our win over Palace with the knock he sustained against Fulham, while his replacement - Ben Davies - came off at half time with a blow to the ankle. Davies is unlikely to make it, but Udogie is at least progressing in his recovery and has a fighting chance of being involved; Emerson Royal should fill in as a makeshift left-back if neither man passes their late fitness tests.

Ivan Perisic (knee), Manor Solomon (knee), Alfie Whiteman (ankle) and Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring) remain on the treatment table as they recuperate from surgery.

 In attack, Brennan Johnson set up Son's strike against Palace only two minutes after replacing Richarlison. I think many fans would love to see Johnson replace the hapless Richarlison.

Pochettino’s side

Ben Chilwell will spend a few more weeks recuperating from a thigh concern. Romeo Lavia (ankle), Wesley Fofana (knee), Christopher Nkunku (knee), Trevoh Chalobah (thigh) and Carney Chukwuemeka (knee) will miss out too.

Mykhaylo Mudryk will shake off his minor affliction in time to be involved. However, Pochettino has conceded that Armando Broja (knee) should only make the bench at best despite having a few days' worth of training.

There is caution over Reece James, who completed 61 minutes of the win over Blackburn, so Axel Disasi could potentially be deployed at right-back as Badiashile holds his central spot alongside the returning Thiago Silva.

My possible Spurs starting lineup:

Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Sarr, Bissouma; Kulusevski, Maddison, Johnson; Son

My prediction…

Let us have a pit of fantasy football and then go to a more realistic prediction.

Fantasy…

Son to get a hattrick, while Johnson scores two and another from Maddison…

Reality…

Spur 3-1 Pochettino’s hapless team (fingers crossed, not at them scoring a goal, but our victory)

I do not doubt that some of Chelski’s blue housing renter boys wish to see Pochettino ending our unbeaten run on Monday night. Still, with the mighty Spurs sweeping aside almost every team standing before us, Postecoglou should spoil their party.

We normally would be relied upon to make our opponent's net shake more than once on home soil, and we will also have a few points to prove against our former manager, whose reunion with us will likely turn out to be a miserable one. Well, I hope so!

Whatever way you look at it, it should be a good game and a few goals thrown into the bargain.

Up the Spurs!

COYS!

Glenn