9 hours ago
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When Tottenham and Chelsea play, it is almost always box office viewing.
From the Battle of the Bridge in 2016 when Chelsea handed the title to Leicester City at Tottenham’s expense, to Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte’s infamous handshake in 2022 and Ange Postecoglou's extraordinary high line with nine men, this fixture between bitter Premier League rivals has it all.
The Blues have had the bragging rights over the last few years, having lost just one of 12 previous meetings ahead of Saturday's 5:30pm showdown.
Cesc Fabregas once said: 'It is always worse to lose to Spurs, because they make DVDs of it for years.'
And this time around, Thomas Frank and Co will fancy their chances of adding a new episode.
They are three points ahead of Chelsea, who suffered a last-gasp defeat by Sunderland last time out but form goes out the window when these two meet. So, which side is better on paper according to the stats boffins at Sofascore and who makes a combined XI?
Thomas Frank (right) celebrates with Micky van de Ven (left) after the win over Everton
Marc Cucurella and Co come into Chelsea's clash with Spurs after losing to Sunderland
Goalkeeper: Guglielmo Vicario
The Italian goalkeeper, signed from Empoli ahead of the 2023/2024 season for £17.2m as Hugo Lloris’ replacement, has had a very respectable start to life at Spurs.
Vicario has kept four clean sheets in nine Premier League matches this term, with an impressive save percentage of 78.7 percent, directly preventing three goals. The Italian has also pulled off 26 saves, averaging 2.9 per game.
Spurs fans have questioned his ability to play out with his feet at times but there's no doubting his talent as a shot stopper.
Despite the odd moment of uncertainty, shown by the two defensive errors that he’s made this season, his performances have eclipsed those of Robert Sánchez, who has a goal prevention rate of -1.07 this season.
Right-back: Reece James
The injury-prone right back has - for the most part - managed to keep himself off the treatment table this season.
Having featured in all nine Premier League games, starting six of them, James has shown typical defensive solidity. The Englishman has only been dribbled past three times, averaging one-and-a-half tackles a game, and winning 58 percent of his duels.
He has made plenty of attacking contributions, too. A goal and two assists, as well as three big chances created shows there's more than one string to his bow.
His passing accuracy of 90 percent and 1.33 key passes-per-game demonstrates he can also be a creative fulcrum of Enzo Maresca's side.
Centre-back: Trevoh Chalobah
Having spent the first half of last season at Crystal Palace on loan, before being recalled by Chelsea halfway through the season, Chalobah’s performances have certainly improved.
With eight starts in nine Premier League games, Chalobah has become Maresca’s favoured centre-back, with a red card against Brighton the reason he hasn’t started every fixture.
The Chelsea defender has won a 68.8% of his duels, averaging 1.38 tackles a game. He has also been able to sense danger, averaging 5.63 clearances, 3.75 ball recoveries and 0.88 interceptions per game.
He's a dangerous presence in the opposition box, too. Chalobah has scored twice already and averages just over a shot a game.
Centre-back: Micky van de Ven
Van de Ven’s previous season was hampered by a long injury absence, however the Dutchman has managed to bounce back to his best.
He's started every game under new manager Frank and despite a lower duel percentage than Chalobah, 54.9 percent, the rapid defender averages 3.78 ball recoveries, 3.56 clearances, 1.11 interceptions, and one tackle per game.
What has been notable is the attacking threat he now poses, particularly from set pieces.
The centre-back this season has already matched his highest ever Premier League goal tally in a season (three) after just nine games, including a brace away at Everton in Spurs’ most recent Premier League fixture.
Left-back: Marc Cucurella
Cucurella’s attacking contributions have been of note so far this season. Having been involved in all nine Premier League games, starting eight of them.
The Spaniard has been dangerous going forward, averaging 5.44 final third entries. He has also registered two assists and created three big chances, also averaging 1.56 key passes per game.
Fans will remember Cucurella’s defensive disaster-class during Chelsea’s most recent visit to Tottenham last December, where he was directly at fault for two of Spurs’ three goals in their 4-3 defeat, having slipped both times.
But his defending is usually solid and he's won 56.3 percent of duels and averaging 2.22 tackles a game.
Central midfield: Moises Caicedo
After a slow start at Stamford Bridge having joined from Brighton for £115m in 2023, Caicedo’s performances have vastly improved since joining the Blues.
The defensive dynamo has shown this season he can provide a threat in attack as well, scoring three times already.
That has already surpassed last season's tally of two and the Ecuadorian also offers attacking progression in the midfield, averaging 54.4 accurate passes, with a passing accuracy of 91.4 percent.
The 23-year-old provides a robust defensive presence in midfield, winning an average of 5.56 duels. He also averages five ball recoveries, 2.22 interceptions and 3.22 tackles a game.
Caicedo this season has been the definition of a complete midfielder, and so far is arguably the early leading contender for Chelsea’s player of the season.
Central midfield: Joao Palhinha
Having failed to make an impact at Bayern Munich, Palhinha decided a season-long loan move to Spurs, with an option to buy, would be the best move for him, stating: 'When I knew of the interest from Tottenham, I didn’t need to think about it too much. I just wanted to come.'
Spurs certainly won’t be sending him back in a hurry. Having scored twice and provided one assist the Portuguese international has shown that despite playing as the No 6, he can still contribute going forward.
His defensive contributions have also been important to Spurs, winning an average of 7.33 duels and 4.33 tackles a game, cementing the reputation he had at Fulham as one of the toughest tacklers in the league.
Attacking midfield: Enzo Fernández
Fernandez has impressed in the No 10 role in the absence of Cole Palmer.
The Argentine has proven a threat going forward, registering three goals and an assist. That said, he has only managed to convert half of his big chances and averages 1.88 shots.
His defensive interventions have also been admirable considering the position he’s currently playing in, averaging 1.75 successful tackles and 3.11 duels won per game.
His overall contribution on both sides of the ball has earned him a spot in the combined team.
Right wing: Mohammed Kudus
A versatile summer signing, Thomas Frank has predominantly used Kudus on the right since he arrived from West Ham.
This decision seems to have paid off, as the Ghanaian has registered a goal and four assists in nine starts.
His attacking threat is also demonstrated by his average of 3.56 successful dribbles – the highest in the league. His creative output has also been of note, averaging 1.89 key passes as well as 2.11 accurate crosses per game. This has earned him his spot in Spurs’ starting XI ahead of Brennan Johnson.
His efficiency in front of goal has been questioned having missed three out of three big chances, however his overall contribution to play is without question.
Left wing: Pedro Neto
Neto has nailed down a spot in Maresca's side and contributed with two goals and the same number of assists
His ability to create is perhaps underrated, averaging 1.67 key passes per game, as well as having created four big chances for team-mates so far this season.
He's hitting form recently with goals against Nottingham Forest and Sunderland and will aim to continue the hot streak against Spurs.
Striker: Richarlison
Richarlison’s three years at Spurs have been tumultuous, injury-riddled and inconsistent.
That said, he made a strong start to the season. In nine games, five of which have been off the bench, the Brazilian has managed to grab three goals and two assists.
His form has tailed off recently, with the Brazilian scoring just once with one assist in his last seven
And his profligacy has come into question having converted only one of three big chances as a striker.
His strong start to the season is just about enough for him to get the nod in the combined XI but Frank and Co will need him to rediscover scoring form soon.
