Chelsea tackle Tottenham right this moment in an enormous recreation which is able to go a good distance in direction of defining how the season of every group will probably be perceived, with greater than a 3rd of the Premier League marketing campaign performed.
Punters playing in a web based on line casino making an attempt to determine who will end increased would have had the 2 sides at related odds to make the highest 4 this season, however the sides have already diverged considerably since these preseason predictions have been made.
After a tricky summer time, Chelsea have come out of the blocks tremendous rapidly and have racked up 28 factors from 14 video games to place themselves in second. Win tonight and so they’ll be simply 4 factors off prime spot.
4 wins and two attracts within the final 6 are a certain signal of a group in type, and Enzo Maresca will fancy his group’s probabilities right this moment, even enjoying an away recreation at their outdated rivals.
Tottenham haven’t had the identical form of begin – they’ve acquired 20 factors from 14 video games, and have misplaced 3 and gained 2 of their final 6. That included a draw with Fulham, defeats to Bournemouth and Ipswich – but in addition potent wins over Manchester Metropolis (4-0) and Aston Villa (4-1).
If Chelsea have stunned everybody with their consistency and quick begin, Spurs have stunned no person by being good at occasions and dangerous at different below Ange Postegolou.
The coach appears like he’s below actual strain now – massive wins over prime sides are rapidly cancelled out by disappointing losses just like the one they suffered in midweek.
It could be going too far to say that Chelsea can beat the Tottenham coach out of a job, however this actually appears like a definitive recreation for him. Win and the scrappy losses are forgotten – lose and the wins over Metropolis and Villa are fairly meaningless as his group slip in direction of the decrease finish of the desk.
Maresca has no such worries – he’s up to now forward of expectations that even a loss at Tottenham can’t harm him now. However his CV remains to be lacking an actual assertion win (beating a crumbling Aston Villa final weekend is his excessive water mark up to now).
The scenes at full time in midweek noticed the coach serenaded by away followers at Southampton. It felt like a watershed second for Maresca, who now has his supporters’ affections and full backing.
A convincing win at White Hart Lane right this moment would make these scenes look tame, and would actually really feel like the beginning of one thing particular.
