MAURICIO POCHETTINO is making his return to Tottenham as he bring his Blues to North London in search of three points.
The former Spurs gaffer won’t face an easy task though with his Chelsea side coming up against a red hot Tottenham team flourishing under Ange Postecoglou.
Spurs currently sit top of the Premier League table and alongside their fierce rivals Arsenal are the only other team to remain unbeaten in the league.
They’re coming off the back of a fourth consecutive win after they took all three points off fellow Londoners Crystal Palace last week.
And despite Chelsea languishing in 11th place in the table, it won’t be a simple task for Postecoglou’s men.
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Form tends to go out the window when these two teams meet and Chelsea have a habit of causing Tottenham problems.
Pochettino’s side will also take confidence from their performances against the other big boys this season.
They held both Arsenal and Liverpool to a draw when they faced them earlier in the campaign and might feel a challenge against Spurs can help them go one further and snatch a victory.
Plus there’s pride on the line for Pochettino, who after being held in such high regard by Tottenham fans for so long, is now a distant memory to supporters that are ecstatic about their team’s free flowing Ange-ball style of play.
The Argentine tactician will want to show that he still has what it takes to get results and compete at the peak of England’s top flight.
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But with just three wins in the league so far this season, Poch may feel big boss Todd Boehly breathing down his neck if he doesn’t start to get results fast.
Monday’s derby day will also be a test for Postecoglou to see if he can keep his team focused and firing to begin mounting a serious title charge for the duration of the season.
Tottenham couldn’t be coming into the match in better form if they tried.
Currently sat atop the Premier League tree they have only dropped points in the first game of the season and away at Arsenal so far.
They’re yet to lose a league game this term and have the fire in the bellies to be taken seriously as title contenders.
Chelsea on the other hand are a mixed bag when it comes to their form.
They looked to be putting together a tidy run in the league before they fell victim to a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Brentford last weekend.
They bounced back midweek with a 2-0 victory of their own over Blackburn Rovers in the Carabao Cup, but it’s always hard to read too much into cup victories.
Spurs have had a restful midweek after exiting the Carabao Cup at the hands of Fulham in August.
But Aussie Postecoglou will still be without a number of first term options for the London derby clash.
Destiny Udogie is still a doubt after picking up a knock while Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring), Manor Solomon (meniscus), Ivan Perisic (cruciate ligament) and Ben Davies (ankle) are all set to miss the game too.
As for Chelsea they’ve welcomed Mykahilo Mudryk back into the frame but will still have a long list of absentees on Monday night.
Carney Chukwuemeka (knee), Trevoh Chalobah (hamstring), Ben Chilwell (hamstring), Armando Broja (muscle), Romeo Lavia (ankle), Christopher Nkunku (knee) and Wesley Fofana (cruciate ligament) are all expected to be unavailable.
James Maddison has perhaps been one of the best players in the Premier League this term, never mind just Tottenham.
Expect him to be at the heart of everything for Postecoglou’s side if they add yet another victory to their impressive record this season.
Chelsea have got an abundance of talent, but they’re just not quite firing at the moment.
Raheem Sterling has scored more goals than any other Blue in the Premier League this campaign and also found the back of the net against Blackburn earlier in the week.
He could be the danger man for Pochettino’s side as they try and counteract Spurs’ all out attack style of play.
Ange Postecoglou was full of praise for his opposite number Pochettino in his pre match press conference.
He said: “Look, it is undoubted that he had an unbelievable impact on this football club, he almost took the club to the ultimate summit of the Champions League, got close to the league, so his work is unquestioned.
“Everyone I speak to around here, there are still people who worked with him, they can’t speak highly enough of him as a person and as a manager.
“I doubt there will be anything but respect for Mauricio from anyone at this football club, supporters or people associated, but it doesn’t mean he will get a guard of honour on Monday night because we want to win.”
While Poch himself has said it will be a special return for him to see the Spurs fans again on Monday night.
He said: “It will be really special because coming back after four years to a place we have amazing memories and create amazing memories together, I think it is special. I cannot lie.”
Tottenham are looking electric this season and are hard to look past for this one.
But it won’t be as easy as Chelsea’s poor form might suggest with a London derby always throwing up a surprise.
A home crowd for Spurs should still be enough for the north Londoners to get over the line though.
Prediction: Tottenham 2-1 Chelsea
*Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes are correct at time of publication
