Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea – Premier League – Preview, Team News and Updates

The Premier League has reached its busiest stretch, with games coming in thick and fast. Amid the chaos, it’s easy to overlook that this weekend serves up one of the season’s blockbuster clashes: Spurs vs Chelsea. When these two London heavyweights lock horns, drama and fireworks are practically a given. So, fans, strap in—Sunday promises to be an unmissable thrill ride.

Spurs vs Chelsea is always a spectacle that lingers in the memory of football fans. Last season’s clash? An absolute showstopper. Chelsea came out on top with a 4-1 win, but the scoreline barely scratched the surface of the chaos that ensued on the pitch. Think two red cards, four disallowed goals, Spurs playing an absurdly high line with nine men, and a Nicolas Jackson hat-trick sealing the deal. It was the kind of match you tell your grandkids about. Now, these two rivals renew hostilities at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday. Chelsea come into this game on the back of a seven-game unbeaten run. In fact, they have won their last three games by an aggregate margin of 10-1. A five-star performance at St. Mary’s meant that they are now the closest challengers to runaway leaders Liverpool.   

Spurs, on the other hand, are a puzzle wrapped in inconsistency. One week, they’re taking reigning champions Manchester City to the cleaners at the Etihad, and the next, they’re stumbling to a draw against Fulham at home. And just when fans thought things couldn’t get worse, Bournemouth handed them a humbling 1-0 defeat on Thursday, leaving Spurs languishing in 10th place. With Chelsea in red-hot form and Spurs maddeningly unpredictable, this derby has all the ingredients for an enthralling showdown. Which Tottenham will turn up? That’s the question everyone’s asking—and it’s what makes this game so fascinating. 

Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea – Match Preview  

nge Postecoglou’s start at Spurs couldn’t have been more magical. Ten games into the 2023/24 season, the Lilywhites were soaring, sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League with an almost flawless 26 points from 30. Spurs fans were singing Ange’s name loud and proud, but fast forward a year, and the mood has drastically shifted. The wheels seem to have come off after a disheartening 1-0 loss to Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium, a result that not only frustrated fans but sparked an ugly post-match confrontation between Postecoglou and a few disgruntled supporters. Ange didn’t hold back in his press conference, admitting he was "disappointed" with the fans’ reaction and pledging to right the ship. The problem? That turnaround needs to start tomorrow—against none other than Chelsea. 

Chelsea have long been Tottenham’s bogey team, seemingly always there to derail them. From shattering Spurs’ title dreams in 2016 to ending their blistering start last season, the Blues just know how to spoil Tottenham’s party. And the timing couldn’t be worse. Spurs are in a slump, suffering defeats to Crystal Palace, Ipswich Town, and Bournemouth, while limp draws against Leicester and Fulham pile on the misery. Yet, what makes this stretch so maddening is that on their day, Postecoglou’s Spurs are breathtaking. They’ve battered heavyweights like Manchester United (3-0), Aston Villa (4-1), and Manchester City (4-0) this season. They even knocked City out of the Carabao Cup. It’s that sheer potential for brilliance that makes their current struggles so infuriating. 

On the other hand, Chelsea are enjoying a resurgent season under Enzo Maresca. After a few rocky seasons, it finally feels like Chelsea are back on track. There were whispers of doubt when Enzo Maresca took the reins—was he really cut out for a club of Chelsea’s magnitude? But the Italian has swiftly silenced his critics. His man-management skills and second-to-none tactical knowledge has the brightest during his relatively short rein as Chelsea’s manager. Fans? They’re fully on board now. 

What’s even more impressive is how this team has evolved. Gone are the days of leaning too heavily on Cole Palmer; Chelsea are now a cohesive, dangerous unit. Nicolas Jackson is thriving, Noni Madueke is electric, Jadon Sancho and João Félix are delivering, and Christopher Nkunku adds that extra edge. The result? The Blues sit proudly in second place with 28 points, looking every bit like title contenders. And here’s the kicker—Sunday’s showdown with Spurs isn’t just another game; it’s a chance to plant their flag. Beat Tottenham, and Chelsea won’t just be knocking on the door of a title race—they’ll be kicking it wide open.  

Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea – Team News and Updates 

Chelsea’s injury list may not be as extensive as Spurs’, but it still gives Enzo Maresca something to think about ahead of Sunday’s showdown. Wesley Fofana and Reece James remain sidelined with hamstring issues, leaving gaps in the Blues’ defense. Youngster Omari Kellyman is also out with a similar problem, while Mykhaylo Mudryk is battling illness. In attack, Chelsea fans can expect a reshuffle. Pedro Neto, Jadon Sancho, and Nicolas Jackson are likely to return to the fold, offering fresh options upfront. That said, Noni Madueke, Christopher Nkunku, and João Félix certainly made their presence felt in the midweek thrashing of Southampton. At the back, Levi Colwill and Robert Sánchez are set to reclaim their spots, but Axel Disasi’s impressive showing midweek could see him keep his place in the absence of Fofana. 

On the other side of London, Tottenham’s injury woes have gone from bad to worse. Thursday’s nightmare at the Vitality Stadium wasn’t just a defeat—it came with another major blow as Ben Davies limped off with a hamstring injury that could keep him out for a while. With Micky van de Ven also nursing a thigh issue, Ange Postecoglou is desperate for Cristian Romero’s return from a toe injury. For now, he might have to rely on young Archie Gray and Radu Drăgușin to patch up his backline. It doesn’t stop there for Spurs. Rodrigo Bentancur is suspended, Guglielmo Vicario (ankle), Richarlison (hamstring), Mikey Moore (illness), and Wilson Odobert (hamstring) are all unavailable. On the bright side, Son Heung-min—restricted to a second-half cameo against Bournemouth—should lead the charge from the get-go in this crucial derby. 

Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea – Kick-Off Time and Date 

The game is scheduled to take place on 8th December 2024 (Sunday) at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The match will kick off at 10:00 PM (Indian Standard Time).    

Also Read: Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea Match Prediction, Fantasy Football Tips and Possible Starting Lineups