Looking to break Chelsea’s unbeaten run as well as end Maurizio Sarri’s exceptional record for a new manager, Tottenham Hotspur have been given a major boost ahead of welcoming the Blues to Wembley Stadium.
Amidst still awaiting a move-in date for their new stadium - which is looking impressive in N17 but constantly beleaguered with setbacks - Spurs have a decent recent record against their rivals from West London, who they’re due to play this Saturday afternoon.
Though Chelsea, then under Antonio Conte, did win this same fixture 2-1 last season - from a Marcos Alonso brace - have won just two of their last 12 away games versus Tottenham in league competition (having drawn and lost five apiece).
The Lilywhites’ wins in three of their last seven EPL games against Chelsea is as many as they had won in their previous 49 top flight games against them. In that run they lost an astonishing 28 times, and provides another indicator of the remarkable resurgence Mauricio Pochettino has instigated in the club as a whole.
Poch will be as pleased as punch to potentially welcome back defender Jan Vertonghen, who the London Evening Standard reports is due to return to the fold from being out since the end of September with a hamstring injury. That same ailment has now befallen his deputy, the Columbian Davinson Sanchez who was taken off after just 11 minutes in Spurs’ penultimate break before the recent league hiatus.
The publication suggests that the 31-year-old centre-half has made ‘good progress’ to make strides in being considered for selection for this week’s fixture, with manager Pochettino stating in his press conference that 'he was training very well'. A decision will be conclusively made tomorrow for 'involvement' in the clash.
Spurs have played just four ‘home’ games this season due to the realignment of the fixture list to accommodate the upheave of stadium transition.
A familiar face in Vertonghen, expected to line up alongside compatriot Toby Alderweireld will be a much-welcome familiar face to those flocking to support those in White at the national stadium. Vertonghen has been at Spurs since 2012, and has made 260 appearances for the side.
Spurs currently sit fourth in the league on 27 points and can leapfrog Chelsea with a win.
This is the seventh meeting between Spurs and Chelsea at Wembley - the visitors have beaten Spurs four times, more than any club has beaten another at the ground.
Tottenham versus Chelsea kicks off at 17:30 (GMT) on Saturday 24th November
