Chelsea Vs Tottenham – EFL Cup 23rd January Preview

Chelsea will play hosts to North London Club, Tottenham for the second leg of the EFL competition having lost by a single goal – a penalty by Harry Kane – to the Spurs in the reverse fixture of this encounter. However, the man who made the difference last time out won’t be available for this fixture. Let’s take a look at who will and what the teams have in store for us.

Chelsea

Just few hours ago, Chelsea completed the signing of Gonzalo Higuaín, after completing his medicals earlier in the evening. The missing piece in the puzzle is finally complete!

Chelsea have struggled in front of goal this season with Italian gaffer, Maurizio Sarri, deploying goal-shy Eden Hazard in a false 9 position. The goal-scoring prowess of Gonzalo Higuaín might just make the difference. They have fired blanks in three games out of their last five.

That said, Chelsea would need at least a goal or two here to make it to the finals of the competition and possibly get their hands on the trophy.

Recent form (all competitions): W D W L W L

Tottenham

The Lilywhites are in their lowest ebb of the season at the moment with Harry Kane, Lucas Moura and Dele Alli out with injuries. Adding salt to injury, creative midfielder, Heung-Min Son would not be available for the fixture – having left on International duty.

Pochettino will be tempted to rest players for the fixture due to the shortage of first team players. Nevertheless, he would be mindful of the fact that a silverware this season would add some colour to his CV.

The Spurs gaffer may therefore be seeking to protect their lead coming into this tie. By and large, the Lilywhites have been brilliant this season – claiming third spot on the log – and have won their last three encounters against Chelsea.

Recent form (all competitions): L W W W L W

Team News

Chelsea – without injury concerns – should name Olivier Giroud in the Starting XI ahead of Willian while Gonzalo Higuaín is expected to be named on the bench for the West London Club.

Spurs will be without the services of Heung-Min Son, Harry Kane. Meanwhile Dele Alli would be assessed for match fitness ahead of the match.

Possible Starting Line-Up

Chelsea

Arrizabalaga; Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Alonso; Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic; Pedro, Giroud, Hazard.

Tottenham

Lloris; Alderweireld, Sanchez, Vertonghen; Trippier, Dier, Winks, Ben Davies; Eriksen, Lamela, Llorente

Score Prediction

We say 1-1

 

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