Tottenham Hotspur must recover quickly from the defeat against Newcastle as another demanding opponent awaits. Chelsea arrives in North London as the favorite, but the home supporters will not be satisfied with another setback. The sequence of matches is challenging, yet the team is expected to show more determination and deliver an improved performance.
Coach Thomas Frank will experience his first London derby of this kind and aims to end a long wait for points against the Blues. Tottenham last succeeded in this fixture three years ago, when Oliver Skipp and Harry Kane found the net. The situation is now different, but home advantage could play an important role.
Spurs have lost their last four derbies with Chelsea and have won only one of the twelve league encounters. In the previous season, they led 2–0 after goals from Solanke and Kulusevski but eventually lost 3–4. The return match was decided by a single goal from Enzo Fernandez.
Frank faces several key questions. Can his team finally rediscover the right playing identity? The attacking phase appears toothless and the defense often makes mistakes. Chelsea, however, is not without weaknesses, having recently conceded four goals against Wolves, and their defense ranks among the poorest in the league according to expected goals statistics.
The second challenge will be to stabilize the defense. Against Newcastle, Tottenham paid the price for individual errors, which cannot be repeated against Chelsea’s powerful attack. Maresca’s team plays patiently and can exploit even the smallest gaps in the back line.
The third factor is the motivation of the new coach. Frank is known for his energy and tactical approach, which could provide the team with fresh impetus. If he manages to find the right lineup and awaken the strikers, Tottenham could pleasantly surprise its fans.
The match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will take place on Saturday evening local time and promises an exciting spectacle between two rivals eager to reaffirm their ambitions in the Premier League.
