Big London derby

Tottenham Hotspur face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in a huge London derby on Thursday evening. It’s the first major test for new Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel.

Tottenham form

Jose Mourinho’s side have won just three of their last 11 Premier League games, and have lost their last two. They suffered a 1-0 reverse at the hands of Brighton last Sunday.

It was a lacklustre performance from Spurs, who are in need of a response after dropping out of the top four in recent weeks. They are on 33 points from 20 games, seven points behind Liverpool in fourth with two games in hand.

Spurs have conceded 30 shots in their past two league matches, which must be a concern to Mourinho. Interestingly, the Tottenham manager has never lost consecutive home games in the Premier League.

Meanwhile Tottenham will be without Harry Kane, who missed out against Brighton and was badly missed. The hosts have won just three of their past 13 matches without their talisman. Left-back Sergio Reguilon is also missing for the North London side.

Chelsea form

Thomas Tuchel recorded his first win as Chelsea manager when they beat 2-0 Burnley on Sunday in a dominant performance.

The Blues conceded just one shot in the game, which came in added time. Chelsea have played a back three in the past two matches with Callum Hudson-Odoi featuring as a right wing back. Marcos Alonso made an unexpected return to the XI, and scored in the win against Burnley with a sweetly struck strike.

The result moved them up to seventh in the table, the same points as Tottenham having played a game more.

Tuchel’s men had 19 shots on goal against the Clarets, with two defenders: Cesar Azpilicueta and the recently recalled Marcos Alonso scoring the goals.

Chelsea have scored 3+ goals on eight occasions this season, one more than Man United and Liverpool have managed.

Head-to-head

The return fixture this season finished 0-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Tottenham have lost two of their past three home league games against Chelsea, more than they had in their previous 11 (W5, D5, L1).

Chelsea are unbeaten in their last four Premier League games with Spurs (W3, D1).

Spurs have won just two of eight matches against the top eight, while Chelsea have not beaten any of the ‘Big Six’ this season, and have beaten just one team in the top half.

Featured image: Chelsea’s German head coach Thomas Tuchel (R) congratulates Chelsea’s Italian midfielder Jorginho after the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge./ (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)