Chelsea tackle Tottenham at this time in an enormous recreation which can go a great distance in direction of defining how the season of every staff will probably be perceived, with greater than a 3rd of the Premier League marketing campaign performed.
Punters playing in an internet on line casino attempting to determine who will end greater would have had the 2 sides at related odds to make the highest 4 this season, however the sides have already diverged considerably since these preseason predictions had been made.
After a troublesome summer time, Chelsea have come out of the blocks tremendous shortly and have racked up 28 factors from 14 video games to place themselves in second. Win tonight and so they’ll be simply 4 factors off high spot.
4 wins and two attracts within the final 6 are a certain signal of a staff in type, and Enzo Maresca will fancy his staff’s possibilities at this time, even taking part in an away recreation at their outdated rivals.
Tottenham haven’t had the identical kind of begin – they’ve acquired 20 factors from 14 video games, and have misplaced 3 and received 2 of their final 6. That included a draw with Fulham, defeats to Bournemouth and Ipswich – but additionally potent wins over Manchester Metropolis (4-0) and Aston Villa (4-1).
If Chelsea have shocked everybody with their consistency and quick begin, Spurs have shocked no person by being good at occasions and unhealthy at different below Ange Postegolou.
The coach looks like he’s below actual strain now – huge wins over high sides are shortly cancelled out by disappointing losses just like the one they suffered in midweek.
It will be going too far to say that Chelsea can beat the Tottenham coach out of a job, however this actually looks like a definitive recreation for him. Win and the scrappy losses are forgotten – lose and the wins over Metropolis and Villa are fairly meaningless as his staff slip in direction of the decrease finish of the desk.
Maresca has no such worries – he’s up to now forward of expectations that even a loss at Tottenham can’t harm him now. However his CV continues to be lacking an actual assertion win (beating a crumbling Aston Villa final weekend is his excessive water mark up to now).
The scenes at full time in midweek noticed the coach serenaded by away followers at Southampton. It felt like a watershed second for Maresca, who now has his supporters’ affections and full backing.
A convincing win at White Hart Lane at this time would make these scenes look tame, and would actually really feel like the beginning of one thing particular.
