Match of the Week: Spurs v Chelsea (24/11)

Welcome to a new, and hopefully ongoing, series here, where we will take a look at one big game per week and give you all the stats, info, and offers that you need to know about.

Chelsea are still unbeaten this season and are currently in third place in the table. Spurs are just beneath them in fourth, with only one point separating the two teams. Will Tottenham have what it takes to halt to Chelsea’s unbeaten start to the season? Or will Chelsea be able to get the better of their London rivals?

Is this the end of Chelsea’s unbeaten run?

Not since Arsenal’s Invincibles squad of the 2003-04 season has a team gone through a season without losing a single match. The Chelsea squad of 2004-05 came close, suffering only one loss that season. More recently, Manchester City only had 2 losses last season on their way to their record breaking 100 points. This season three teams are still amazingly without a loss to their name. Can this continue much longer?

Something’s got to give. There are too many quality teams and too much competition in the league for one team to be able to go through the entire season without a single loss.

Maurizio Sarri has done a sterling job so far,  leading Chelsea to a 12 game unbeaten streak. They find themselves only two matches shy of equaling their longest unbeaten run at the start of a season. Sarri has also managed to rekindle the form of many of Chelsea’s key players, most importantly, Eden Hazard. Hazard has been directly involved in 11 Premier League goals already (7 goals, 4 assists) and Tottenham will have their hands full trying to contain him.

But are Spurs that far behind?

Even though much has been made of Chelsea (and some other teams) unbeaten start of the season, Spurs are only one point behind Chelsea, and their recent form has been quite positive. They might not be as free flowing as Liverpool or Manchester City, but the past couple of weeks have shown that they can grind out a win when needed. Harry Kane is still banging in the goals and if they can grind out another win Spurs will climb above Chelsea in the table.

Spurs v Chelsea – the facts

• Tottenham have won three of their past seven Premier League games against Chelsea
• If Spurs win, it will be the first time they have won consecutive league matches against Chelsea since August 1987
• Chelsea have kept 21 Premier League clean sheets against Tottenham
• None of Tottenham’s last 16 Premier League games have ended in a draw (W12, L4)
• Dele Alli has scored five goals in his last four league and cup games against Chelsea
• Chelsea have kept clean sheets in four of their five away league games this season

Predictions and offers

I just can’t see Tottenham winning this one. Their squad is a bit short with injuries to Dembele, Rose, Sanchez, and Trippier. Jan Vertonghen faces a fitness test to see if he is available. Chelsea have a strong away record and Tottenham don’t have a great record against the top six teams at Wembley. I can’t see if being a high scoring match either. Both teams don’t particularly like each other, but they’ll both be wary of each other’s attacking potential.

I would go for Chelsea Correct Score 0-1 at 9/1, or if you’re feeling really lucky 0-2 at 12/1. (Odds courtesy of Unibet and are subject to change)

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