The 2022/23 season’s first high voltage game kicks off at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea locks horns with Tottenham Hotspurs for a fascinating London derby.
The Blues edged out a 1-0 win against a stubborn Everton side in their season opener while Spurs produced an offensive masterclass in coming from behind to thrash Southampton 4-1.
CHE vs TOT Match Details
Date: Sunday, 14th August 2022
Time: 16:30 (BST)/21:00 (IST)
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
CHE vs TOT Match Preview
Being a transfer conundrum with a couple of players wanting out and key targets yet to be signed in the window, it was necessary for Chelsea to open the season in the desired way against Everton and it happened when Jorginho scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot towards the end of the first half helping the Blues edge out a 1-0 win. Everton’s strategy was to maintain a deep defence and hit Chelsea on the counter. The game plan could have worked if not the gloves of Edouard Mendy or the barricade known as Thiago Silva stood against their menacing breaks. The Blues improved significantly in the second half with the new signing giving the much needed energy on the flank and Reece James getting more into the game. The day belonged to Raheem Sterling whose nifty footwork, clever runs and all-around display in his debut gave the demanded quality in Chelsea’s attack. The performance wasn’t totally satisfying for Thomas Tuchel but he knows there are certain additions yet to be made in the window with deals of Wesley Fofana from Leicester City and Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona being in works. Chelsea are also looking out for a striker to replace Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner, the destination being Barcelona again with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang the prime candidate while Marcos Alonso is nearing a move to the Catalan giants. Tuchel will wish these businesses get sorted out quickly as they face the first big tester in rivals Tottenham with a more accomplished squad. Spurs are looked to be a more prepared customer to take on Chelsea in the first London derby of the season because of their early business and manager Antonio Conte creating an immaculate bond between the players. But the Blues belief they still have enough strength to make life uncomfortable for their rivals especially in front of the home support. Tuchel also haven’t lost this fixture in his tenure at Chelsea in a period Tottenham made three managerial changes. The German expect a close game on Sunday but wants to set an early season marker of their intent in the new season by picking up all three points in the meeting.
There was no sign of disarray for Tottenham as they took the pitch against Southampton without fielding any of their new signing partly due to injuries, suspension and the other factor that Conte described as ‘common sense’ to keep the same unit of player fundamental to Spurs’ return to the Champions League football. The Italian proved it right as his side ran away 4-1 winners in the season opener overturning James Ward-Prowse’s opener through goals from Ryan Sessegnon, Eric dier, a Mohammed Salisu’s own goal and Dejan Kulusevski. The latter crafted the attack for Spurs creating the equalizer by an inch-perfect cross before rounding off the victory with a splendid left-footed finish. The win was achieved even without the star duo Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son getting on the scoresheet, a rarity that makes the victory an extra special one. This proves the new signing are here mainly to strengthen up the depth of the squad because the existing side is doing the business easily. It is enough for the opposition to take them even more seriously this season. Kulusevski is someone Antonio Conte will call upon again to cause major problems to Chelsea’s defence on Sunday. He has proven to bring an extra threat even at a time when Kane-Son partnership doesn’t work in a game. However, Tottenham have lost their five successive London derby against the Blues in the league since their last win in 2018 in a game where the duo last combined for two goals in 3-1 win. That was also the last time Spurs managed to find the back of the net with the other being Antonio Rudiger’s own goal in 2020. Conte is hopeful that his team will manage to score this time around after not doing so in the last four meetings. Spurs also feels they have a chance to rescind the poor record being a better prepared side than their counterpart still immerse in the market to rectify important positions. It is left to see how this team reacts in big games and a derby like this.
CHE vs TOT Team News
The Blues will continue to miss midfielder Mateo Kovacic through an injury in his knee with no certain timeline attached for his return. Manager Thomas Tuchel also confirms left-back Marcos Alonso has not attended training to try to finalize a transfer out of the club with Barcelona interested in his signature. The Spaniard was also left out of the squad in the Everton win and the signing of Marc Cucurella by Chelsea meant they have already bought a replacement. He could be handed his first start in the London derby in place of Ben Chilwell who won the decisive penalty at Goodison Park. New signings Kalidou Koulibaly and Raheem Sterling will start again with the former Manchester City player heading the attack following the departure of another forward Timo Werner back to RB Leipzig.
Manager Antonio Conte gave the news about Clement Lenglet missing out on the clash due to an adductor issue. It is not serious but he is rested for the game as a precaution. The defender joined from Barcelona on loan and made his debut for Tottenham last weekend playing only four minutes as a substitute in the second half when the victory was sealed. Oliver Skipp continues to be on the sideline recovering from his foot injury, which will keep him out for a couple of more weeks. Spurs also have new signing Richarlison back from suspension but he is unlikely to start over Dejan Kulusevski on the right for the winger is in great form contributing to six goals in his last six Premier League games. For the second week running, neither of the new signings is expected to start against Chelsea.
CHE vs TOT Predicted Lineups
CHE: Edouard Mendy; Cesar Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Kalidou Koulibaly; Reece James, Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, Marc Cucurella; Raheem Sterling, Mason Mount; Kai Havertz
TOT: Hugo Lloris; Christian Romero, Eric Dier, Ben Davies; Emerson, Hojbjerg, Rodrigo Bentancur, Ryan Sessegnon; Dejan Kulusevski, Harry Kane, Son
CHE vs TOT Head to head
Hakim Ziyech scored a screamer and Thiago Silva headed home from a sublime cross from Mason Mount at Stamford Bridge to maintain Chelsea’s 100% record in two games last season. The Blues were on a four-game winless run prior to the fixture although Spurs’ opener in the game was controversially ruled out. Tottenham’s last win in this venue was in 2018 when they did the double over their rivals with now Everton player Dele Alli scoring a brace and Christian Eriksen, presently of Manchester United, equalising on the stroke of half-time after Alvaro Morata gave the Blues the lead in the game.
CHE vs TOT Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Mendy
DEF: James, T Silva, Dier, B Davies
MID: Kulusevski, Hojbjerg, Mount
FW: Sterling, Kane, Son
Captain: Dejan Kulusevski
Vice-captain: Raheem Sterling
Edouard Mendy made three saves and kept a clean sheet in the season opener against Everton.
Thiago Silva completed the most passes in the game including three interceptions, four recoveries, four clearances and blocked one shot. He made nine interceptions in his last three Premier League games of the past season.
Dejan Kulusevski scored a goal and delivered an assist in the 4-1 win against Southampton. The Swede also created three chances and maintained a passing accuracy of 92%.
Raheem Sterling has contributed to five goals in his last five league games while Son has eight in his last six. Sterling has also scored six goals and delivered four assists in 18 games against Spurs in the league while Son has only two strikes in 15 games against Chelsea.
