Midweek Premier League action brings a second consecutive London derby for Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham, who take a trip to a Chelsea side that have turned Stamford Bridge into something of a fortress in recent weeks.
The Blues have won five of their last six at home in all competitions and should have plenty of belief that they can extend this run against a Spurs side with just one win on the road across their last seven.
The highly-anticipated clash is scheduled to kick off at 19:30 on Thursday, with the hosts edging the match result markets to take home all three points.
- CHELSEA TO WIN AND BTTS
- COLE PALMER TO SCORE ANYTIME
- YVES BISSOUMA TO BE BOOKED ANYTIME
No blues At The Bridge For Chelsea
Chelsea are still in contention for European football next season despite their inconsistencies, with the Blues six points behind sixth placed Manchester United with a game in hand.
They must make that extra fixture count, and their recent form in front of their own fans indicates that they could do just that, with vitally important victories over the Red Devils and Newcastle at Stamford Bridge in recent times.
Although they have regularly picked up points at home in 2024, their defensive performances have left a lot to be desired, with 11 goals conceded across their last six at home in all competitions - including a duo of goals against Championship sides Leeds and Leicester in the FA Cup.
Injuries to Thiago Silva, Malo Gusto, and Ben Chiwell will hardly help the Blues' backline shut out the Tottenham attack. Spurs should feel confident that they can grab at least one goal on Thursday, having found the net in five of their six visits to fellow London clubs this season.
CHELSEA TO WIN AND BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
Another Perfect Day For Palmer
Cole Palmer missed Chelsea's 5-0 drubbing at Arsenal through illness, but after seeing out the full ninety minutes at Villa Park last time out, the influential midfielder should be able to return to his very best in midweek.
The 21-year-old has turned into a shock contender for the Golden Boot, with 20 goals and nine assists to his name from just 28 appearances in the league this season.
Palmer found the net from the penalty spot in the reverse fixture - a 4-1 victory for the visitors at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - and he looks a smart option in the goalscorer market to hit the target.
Bissouma Booking On The Cards
An intense midfield battle is in store and it could be a busy day at the office for referee Rob Jones, with 25 cards shown across the last four head-to-heads between these two rivals.
One man who could find himself in the scope of the officials is Tottenham's Yves Bissouma, who leads the way for yellows accrued for the club this season with nine, as well as two dismissals.
Bissouma is almost averaging a yellow card every three fouls (nine yellows from 31 fouls), so it will not take many mistimed tackles before the Malian finds himself in the referee's notebook.
YVES BISSOUMA TO BE BOOKED ANYTIME
