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Tottenham Hotspur are winless in all competitions since the 4-0 triumph over Manchester City. Opponents Chelsea have proven they are genuine title contenders with an unbeaten run that stretches back to October.
Spurs weren’t just defeated at Bournemouth, they were completely outplayed and flattered by the 1-0 scoreline. The Cherries, who had a second-half Evanilson effort disallowed, generated 3.31 xG while Tottenham created very little.
Manager Ange Postecoglou had an exchange with some disgruntled fans after the full-time whistle and needs things to turn around quickly before the pressure on him intensifies.
The Lilywhites had won six home games on the bounce before the visit of Ipswich Town last month, but the defeat by the Tractor Boys was the first of three consecutive matches at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium which Spurs have failed to win.
Chelsea have won four games on the spin, three of which came in the league. This leaves them within touching distance of leaders Liverpool who had a rare slipup in midweek.
It is not just the Blues’ points tally that demands respect. The manner of their victories is becoming increasingly impressive. Nobody in the league besides them has surpassed 30 goals, and only Liverpool and Arsenal have conceded fewer.
Enzo Maresca’s team have racked up 21 goals in their last six outings, with many of their attacking players contributing. They were able to rest Nicolas Jackson on Wednesday and saw no dropoff in the final third.
The 2020s have not been a fruitful decade for Spurs in their encounters with Chelsea. A 2-0 victory in February 2023 is their only league triumph over the Blues in their last 11 attempts, while the West London club have won eight times during that period.
Last season’s meeting at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was one of the most memorable fixtures of the campaign. Spurs had Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie sent off as they gave up an early lead to lose 4-1.
Postecoglou persisted with his high line despite the two-man disadvantage that night. The Australian is still searching for his first point against Chelsea, who completed the 2023-24 double over Spurs in May.
Chelsea’s H2H dominance will only add to the confidence that is flowing through them currently but they are without a signature away win under Maresca.
This would be the perfect time for Postecoglou to get Spurs back on track and avoid the risk of them slipping into the bottom half.
Yves Bissouma should keep his place in the Tottenham midfield for Sunday, and the best bet is for the Spurs number eight to be shown a card.
With eight cards to his name for club and country this season, Bissouma is having his name taken 0.5 times per 90 minutes. The absence of the suspended Rodrigo Bentancur has seen an uptick in minutes for the Mali international, and a game of this magnitude is the ideal occasion to get behind Bissouma to receive another booking.
Many of his cards both this season and last term have come in matches in which Spurs are up against it. He has three cards in his last four Spurs starts, and two in three without Bentancur in the side.
Anthony Taylor has the whistle on Sunday, and while his cards per game figures are nowhere near the top of the Premier League standings, he has dished out his fair share in the more fierce battles.
Taylor handed out 14 yellow cards when he refereed Chelsea at Bournemouth in September. His latest assignment was another London derby, West Ham vs Arsenal, and he gave out five cards plus two penalties.
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