Premier League: Third Time Lucky for Conte?

Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur

Antonio Conte comes up against his former employers, Chelsea, in a Premier League clash on Sunday; it’s the third time his current team, Spurs, has met the Blues in recent weeks and they lost them both. 

So Premier League: Chelsea vs Tottenham gives the Italian boss a chance for redemption and there is another fascinating dynamic in this game. While the Blues have had it all their own way in their recent meetings with Spurs they have struggled to keep pace with the league leaders; meanwhile their visitors have made steady progress in their climb up the table.

A win for Conte’s men would even put them in sight of Thomas Tuchel’s Blues and that would have been unthinkable before Christmas. So I’d say the pressure is well and truly on Chelsea in this encounter.    

Talking Points

Chelsea can say goodbye to the title…and they need to look over their shoulders 

I won’t make many friends in West London with that statement but I’m firmly backed up by my SBOTOP stats buddies who are pricing the Blues at 101.00 to lift the league title next May. Liverpool are at 11.00 and Manchester City are at 1.06. The reality is crystal clear when you look at latest the Premier League table. Thomas Tuchel’s team, which started the season so strongly, is now 12 points behind the Sky Blues having played a game more.

And to get the Chelsea fans gnashing their teeth even more, take a look below, because Spurs are two places behind, eight points but with four games in hand. And the way Conte has got the Whites going that makes this a ‘must-not-lose’ game for the Blues. In the seven days following their EFL Cup semi-final triumph Chelsea were comfortably beaten by Manchester City and then held to a draw by mid table Brighton and Hove Albion.   

Chelsea have relied on their midfielders and defenders for goals. Mason Mount is top scoring, with seven, and penalty taker Jorginho has six. The returned Romelu Lukaku has five goals and then wingbacks Reece James and Ben Chilwell are the next in line with four and three. But both are injured and James’ five assists makes that an even bigger loss for the Blues.    

They have been going well in the cups, in the EFL final and FA Cup fourth round and Chelsea have a great draw for the Champions League Round of 16 , against Ligue 1 side Lille.

But there is still work to do in the Premier League.

Conte’s Spurs are fighters

Antonio Conte and his team were furious that the North London derby was called off last week but a mid week date with Leicester City was a good test of their mettle, and they came through with flying colours. The Foxes took an early lead through Patson Daka but Harry Kane gave Spurs a deserved equaliser after they had already hit the bar and two efforts cleared off the line. Leicester thought they’d won it when James Maddison restored their lead on 76 minutes and they held that advantage until five minutes into injury time.  

Up step substitute Steven Bergwijn who promptly scored two goals in just over a minute to snatch all three points at the death. The Foxes’ fans were distraught but, with 27 shots to 14 and ten to four on target, this was no lucky victory. The three points took Spurs just a point behind fourth placed West Ham with three games in hand and they look well placed to take that last Champions League spot.

The Whites have often been accused of playing nice football but without the stomach for a fight, but those days are behind them in the Conte era. 

History

The head to head Chelsea vs Tottenham resultshave taken a turn towards the Blues over the past two weeks and that has stretched their lead over their London rivals to 38 victories to ten in the Premier League era, though there have been 21 draws.

Before the two EFL Cup clashes Chelsea won 3-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Matchday Five as Thiago Silva, N’Golo Kante and Rudiger all scored in the second half  

Spurs have failed to win on each of their last six visits to Stamford Bridge.

In terms of recent form, both teams have won three of the last six games, though Chelsea have drawn two and lost one, while Spurs have lost two and drawn one.      

Betting Tip

	Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur	Double Chance Tottenham or Draw @ 2.05
	January 24, 00:30 (GMT+8)

The pre-match Chelsea vs Tottenham betting oddsare behind a home win at odds of 1.68, while Spurs are at 4.74 and the draw is 3.45. But I think it will be a tight affair and Conte’s iron will could well transfer itself onto the pitch.

Don’t take your eyes off this one!

 

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