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WHEN: Saturday, September 28, 2013. 12:45 UK TIME
WHERE: White Hart Lane, London, England
With back to back wins in all competitions after two consecutive losses, Chelsea have responded well to the crisis jibes.
Against Swindon, the boys could have scored more but inadequate clinical ability meant they had to make do with two goals against an underdog team that performed decently well and tried causing them problems.
Chelsea will now travel once again, this time to White Hart Lane and play derby rivals, Tottenham Hotspur. Tottenham have lost only one game this season, against Arsenal in another derby. Chelsea beat Tottenham 4-2 last season at White Hart Lane.
TEAM NEWS
Marco van Ginkel got an unfortunately nasty injury in the last game, he will be unavailable for at least six months. With the exception of Kenneth Omeruo, Tomas Kalas and maybe Ramires (who Mourinho says is a doubt but will be part of the squad).
PREDICTED LINEUP
There are not many more difficult jobs than predicting Jose Mourinho's starting 11. In the eleven I chose, only Gary Cahill started against Swindon town.
Just like most Chelsea fans, I believe Fernando Torres deserves to start. Jose Mourinho once suggested that MOTM in a game will start the next but only Samuel Eto'o didn't play during the week of the three strikers.
The trio of Schurrle-Oscar-Hazard are almost sure to start but there's a chance Juan Mata displaces Andre Schurrle. "Mazacar" fans might need to wait a little longer. Jose Mourinho was pleased with Mata's overall contribution against Swindon.
Ramires is an injury doubt, Marco is out, Essien played very well for 90 minutes against Swindon. Mikel-Lampard is the most likely partnership in midfield. I won't be surprised if Jose opts for Mikel-Essien pivot.
KEY PLAYER: OSCAR DOS SANTOS
Oscar has arguably been Chelsea's best player this season. He scored Chelsea's opening goal of the season and in the Uefa Champions League too. He also scored what some may call a fluke goal against Fulham in his last appearance.
Jose Mourinho gave him a break, he wasn't included in the squad against Swindon town. His time off is set to pay dividend against spurs. Oscar will come up against countryman and National teammate Paulinho.
Oscar has decided games in his short time at Chelsea, under Jose Mourinho he has decided even more games. If your manager says you are his No. 10, that's a huge responsibility and that makes him my key player for this one.
Chelsea bench: Mark Schwarzer, David Luiz, Cesar Azpilicueta, Michael Essien, Willian, Juan Mata, Fernando Torres.
A PEEP INTO THE ENEMY'S CAMP
My first real attempt to give an opposition scouting report, inspired by WAGNH. I hope I don't get you bored.
It's a London derby, derbies are generally difficult games anywhere in the world. Chelsea have had the upper hand over Tottenham in the past but it's a derby so all that goes into the bin.
Spurs have had a better start to the season, they have conceded only one goal so far (the fewest in the division) while Chelsea have conceded two goals. But then it's a London derby, so form goes straight into the bin.
Each team will have to rely on what they can do on the pitch and not what they already did. While the abilities of the players will be a deciding factor, Andre Villas Boas and Jose Mourinho will be the huge deciding factor. Who will get his tactics right? Who will motivate his players better?
Andre Villas Boas has moved on from his rigid 4-3-3 formation, he at least learnt that at Chelsea, you owe us that one Andre! Tottenham now operate in the same shape, 4-2-3-1.
Tottenham have had a good start, sitting on second position on the league table with same points with league leaders, Arsenal, But just like Chelsea, they have struggled for goals. Spurs have managed just (5) goals this season, one goal less than Chelsea have managed.
Their defence has been solid so far, conceded just one goal so far, one more than Chelsea. Their pivot pairing of Dembele and Paulinho is still growing. Both players are very energetic, Dembele especially has an insane work rate. Both of them will be ready to mark Oscar out of the game, the little Brazilian will need lot of help from Eden Hazard and Lampard especially.
Villas Boas just like Jose Mourinho is yet to find his best attacking trio. He has made more use of inverted wingers who can cut inside and shot or create. Eriksen has impressed so far, he can create scoring opportunities if allowed to and can score wonder goals too. Mikel Obi will need to track and out-power Eriksen, If Obi gets the better of Eriksen, Frank Lampard will get enough freedom to get forward and help Oscar out. Eriksen looks the safest of my projected 11.
Roberto Soldado is more of a goal poacher who wants the ball in the box so he can pounce on it. Gary Cahill has to take his blocking skills along and John Terry will need to keep an eye on him. Soldado won't cause much problems in the air... He has scored two penalties this season, no goal in open play, none of Chelsea's strikers has scored in the Premier League this season.
Chelsea wingers won't be facing the toughest possible battle this season. They therefore will have no excuse not make things happen. Eden Hazard, I'm looking at you!
PREDICTION: Tottenham 0-1 Chelsea
The two teams scored ten goals in 180 minutes last season but both teams have become very miserly this season. I believe this is the sort of encounter, a single goal can decide. And so I just tilted my head in a Chelsea fan's direction.
Brilliant football expected and wastefulness in front of goal also expected. Maybe one of Chelsea's defenders will decide this one.
WHEN: Saturday, September 28, 2013. 12:45 UK TIME
WHERE: White Hart Lane, London, England
With back to back wins in all competitions after two consecutive losses, Chelsea have responded well to the crisis jibes.
Against Swindon, the boys could have scored more but inadequate clinical ability meant they had to make do with two goals against an underdog team that performed decently well and tried causing them problems.
Chelsea will now travel once again, this time to White Hart Lane and play derby rivals, Tottenham Hotspur. Tottenham have lost only one game this season, against Arsenal in another derby. Chelsea beat Tottenham 4-2 last season at White Hart Lane.
TEAM NEWS
Marco van Ginkel got an unfortunately nasty injury in the last game, he will be unavailable for at least six months. With the exception of Kenneth Omeruo, Tomas Kalas and maybe Ramires (who Mourinho says is a doubt but will be part of the squad).
PREDICTED LINEUP
There are not many more difficult jobs than predicting Jose Mourinho's starting 11. In the eleven I chose, only Gary Cahill started against Swindon town.
Just like most Chelsea fans, I believe Fernando Torres deserves to start. Jose Mourinho once suggested that MOTM in a game will start the next but only Samuel Eto'o didn't play during the week of the three strikers.
The trio of Schurrle-Oscar-Hazard are almost sure to start but there's a chance Juan Mata displaces Andre Schurrle. "Mazacar" fans might need to wait a little longer. Jose Mourinho was pleased with Mata's overall contribution against Swindon.
Ramires is an injury doubt, Marco is out, Essien played very well for 90 minutes against Swindon. Mikel-Lampard is the most likely partnership in midfield. I won't be surprised if Jose opts for Mikel-Essien pivot.
KEY PLAYER: OSCAR DOS SANTOS
Oscar has arguably been Chelsea's best player this season. He scored Chelsea's opening goal of the season and in the Uefa Champions League too. He also scored what some may call a fluke goal against Fulham in his last appearance.
Jose Mourinho gave him a break, he wasn't included in the squad against Swindon town. His time off is set to pay dividend against spurs. Oscar will come up against countryman and National teammate Paulinho.
Oscar has decided games in his short time at Chelsea, under Jose Mourinho he has decided even more games. If your manager says you are his No. 10, that's a huge responsibility and that makes him my key player for this one.
Chelsea bench: Mark Schwarzer, David Luiz, Cesar Azpilicueta, Michael Essien, Willian, Juan Mata, Fernando Torres.
A PEEP INTO THE ENEMY'S CAMP
My first real attempt to give an opposition scouting report, inspired by WAGNH. I hope I don't get you bored.
It's a London derby, derbies are generally difficult games anywhere in the world. Chelsea have had the upper hand over Tottenham in the past but it's a derby so all that goes into the bin.
Spurs have had a better start to the season, they have conceded only one goal so far (the fewest in the division) while Chelsea have conceded two goals. But then it's a London derby, so form goes straight into the bin.
Each team will have to rely on what they can do on the pitch and not what they already did. While the abilities of the players will be a deciding factor, Andre Villas Boas and Jose Mourinho will be the huge deciding factor. Who will get his tactics right? Who will motivate his players better?
Andre Villas Boas has moved on from his rigid 4-3-3 formation, he at least learnt that at Chelsea, you owe us that one Andre! Tottenham now operate in the same shape, 4-2-3-1.
Tottenham have had a good start, sitting on second position on the league table with same points with league leaders, Arsenal, But just like Chelsea, they have struggled for goals. Spurs have managed just (5) goals this season, one goal less than Chelsea have managed.
Their defence has been solid so far, conceded just one goal so far, one more than Chelsea. Their pivot pairing of Dembele and Paulinho is still growing. Both players are very energetic, Dembele especially has an insane work rate. Both of them will be ready to mark Oscar out of the game, the little Brazilian will need lot of help from Eden Hazard and Lampard especially.
Villas Boas just like Jose Mourinho is yet to find his best attacking trio. He has made more use of inverted wingers who can cut inside and shot or create. Eriksen has impressed so far, he can create scoring opportunities if allowed to and can score wonder goals too. Mikel Obi will need to track and out-power Eriksen, If Obi gets the better of Eriksen, Frank Lampard will get enough freedom to get forward and help Oscar out. Eriksen looks the safest of my projected 11.
Roberto Soldado is more of a goal poacher who wants the ball in the box so he can pounce on it. Gary Cahill has to take his blocking skills along and John Terry will need to keep an eye on him. Soldado won't cause much problems in the air... He has scored two penalties this season, no goal in open play, none of Chelsea's strikers has scored in the Premier League this season.
Chelsea wingers won't be facing the toughest possible battle this season. They therefore will have no excuse not make things happen. Eden Hazard, I'm looking at you!
PREDICTION: Tottenham 0-1 Chelsea
The two teams scored ten goals in 180 minutes last season but both teams have become very miserly this season. I believe this is the sort of encounter, a single goal can decide. And so I just tilted my head in a Chelsea fan's direction.
Brilliant football expected and wastefulness in front of goal also expected. Maybe one of Chelsea's defenders will decide this one.
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