Chelsea vs Tottenham – Premier League: Bitter rivals battle at Bridge

I have just found myself bobbing along to the music at Stamford Bridge.

Whoever is in control of the playlist inside the ground has struck the right tone, it is groovy, and hopefully, the football follows suit.

Both sides are now out making their final preparations, we have just 20 minutes until the ball is rolling.

I’m not going to go back to enjoying the music…

Tom Collomosse, Mail Sport, at Villa Park:

No Pau Torres in the starting XI for Aston Villa which, unless he’s carrying a knock, is a surprise – he’s been one of their key players this season. The rest of the team is as we expected, with Diaby expected to partner Watkins in attack and Bailey and Rogers wide.

Here is Aston Villa’s starting 11 for arguably their biggest match in 42 years…

Unai Emery has made three changes from the side that drew 2-2 with Chelsea on Saturday night.

Robin Olsen deputies in goal for the injured Emi Martinez while Clement Llenglet and Moussa Diaby also come in.

The last time Chelse faced Spurs, Nicolas Jackson announced himself to the Premier League.

I think it’s fair to say that Jackson has not had the smoothest of rides so far in the division, far from it.

However, one performance he can look back fondly on was we he bagged three goals away at Tottenham in a 4-1 win.

It may not have been the most dazzling hat-trick of all time, but all that matters id putting the ball in the back of the net.

Chelsea could do with him doing it again tonight.

Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham boss, speaking on Wednesday:

I think anyone who doesn’t think that Mauricio’s five and a half years here were successful, doesn’t really appreciate football for what it is because, you know, to get to the Champions League final, to, you know, come runners-up in the toughest league in the world.

There’s no silverware but in my mind, particularly the way he developed that group, I think he was a success. This is the business we’re in and we get measured by – most of us get measured by other things so we’ve got to accept that.

Mauricio Pochettino certainly knows this rivalry well, just from the other side.

The Argentine gave Spurs fans some of their best memories in recent history and he was adored during his time at the club.

Pochettino had Tottenham challenging for titles again, led them to a Champions League final, and was the catalyst for Harry Kane’s success.

So, when it was announced last summer that he would be taking the reigns at rivals Chelsea, it’s fair to say Spurs fans were not the happiest.

As you have just read, Pochettino still holds strong feelings towards Tottenham, but tonight he will need to let them go.

It’s going to be another battle at the Bridge, but this time he is in the blue corner.

Kieran Gill, Mail Sport, at Stamford Bridge:

Big game for Alfie Gilchrist at right back, along with Benoit Badiashile alongside Trevoh Chalobah. Badiashile grew into the game at Aston Villa – he had a great second half – and he’ll need to show some dominance here.

Before kick-off, there should be a big display for Conor Gallagher, as Chelsea fans look to send a message to the hierarchy ahead of an intriguing summer in which he could be sold… possibly to Tottenham.

I bet Cole Palmer is happy to be back at Stamford Bridge.

The attacking midfielder has been on fire recently for the Blues, especially at home, he has netted in each of his previous seven league appearances at the Bridge.

Not to mention, he is also the leading Premier League goalscorer in 2024, netting 12 goals since the turn of the year, with all of them coming at home.

Will he add to his tally tonight?

Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea boss, speaking on Wednesday:

It is always emotional (facing Tottenham) because we are going to meet people we worked with for a long period. Yes, I cannot hide my emotion for the club and I think it is going to be emotional.

Wow, I wasn’t expecting to see James Maddison on the bench.

Ange Postecoglou has not held his punches, he makes five changes from the team that lost the North London Derby.

Emerson Royal, Yves Bissouma, Pape Sarr, Brennan Johnson, and Richarlison all come in.

The big news is that Maddison has been dropped…

Just the one change for Chelsea then.

It’s not one they wanted to make, but they have had to, as Thiago Silva is ruled out with injury.

Young Adam Gilchrist returns to the starting 11 to make his first home Premier League start.

How often do you see rival managers with this kind of relationship?

I’m sure all friendliness will be kicked out the door very soon when the teams make their way onto the pitch.

Pochettino didn’t look like he wanted to let him go!

Yes, you read that right, EIGHT years…

On 2 May 2016, the Battle of the Bridge was born. It’s a Premier League classic, a match that is always looked back on when these two meet.

I remember exactly where I watched this match. I was preparing for my GCSE exams and decided to take a break from studying to watch it with my friends. Boy, was that a good choice.

The match had everything, from terrible tackles that led to fights, 12 bookings, four goals, and a last-minute equaliser from Eden Hazard that left Spurs’ title hopes in tatters.

It was a spectacle that will be remembered as the day that Chelsea helped Leicester City secure a magical Premier League title, while also stepping the rivalry between the two clubs up a notch.

If we get drama even close to what we saw that fateful night, you better strap yourselves in.

By the way, I’m sorry if I made any of you feel old with this post…

When these two meet there are always fireworks.

There has only been one stalemate in the last 22 meetings between these two sides in all competitions. It almost always guarantees goals.

Do you want to know what else it brings to the table? Handbags.

This match seems to have a knack for getting feisty. There was the ‘Battle of the Bridge’ and then also last season’s handshake drama between Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte.

The passion always bleeds through in this one and it comes in different ways season upon season.

I wonder what they have in store for us this evening.

Stamford Bridge is very rarely a happy hunting ground for Tottenham.

Spurs have only a single win in their last 38 matches away at Chelsea, which came back in 2018 when the now-Chelsea boss, Mauricio Pochettino, was in charge.

Having spoken to various Tottenham fans, it’s clear that they don’t go into this fixture with much hope, they have been let down too many times.

However, I may say this a lot, but statistics are there to be broken. Just look at Everton last week, they won their first Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park in 14 years when nobody gave them a chance.

If there was ever a good season to come up trumps away at Chelsea, this is one of them. The Blues are a far cry from their super teams of the past.

Will tonight be one for the history books?

Chelsea and Tottenham are not the only Premier League side in action tonight.

Aston Villa have waited 42 years for a big night in Europe such as tonight, and it’s finally here. They face Olympiakos this evening at Villa Park for the first leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final.

The Villans are now surely favourites to bring home the trophy, but it will be no easy task. All I do know is that Villa Park will be rocking tonight.

We will be sure to bring you all the big updates from the match in the West Midlands, I have a feeling there will be a lot of goals to let you all know about.

Tonight could be a defining night in both Chelsea and Tottenham’s seasons.

We have now entered the final month of the Premier League campaign and both sides are still in the hunt for Europe.

Tottenham currently sit in fourth place, seven points behind Aston Villa, but with two games in hand – the first of which they play tonight.

Last night it was confirmed that Germany have secured second place in UEFA’s coefficient table for this season, only the top four places in the Premier League will qualify for Champions League football next season.

Tottenham can’t afford to lose tonight if they want to be in European club football’s premier competition, next year.

Meanwhile, Chelsea still have faint hopes of qualifying for the Europa Conference League next season and a win tonight would certainly keep them in the hunt.

If they earn three points tonight they will move up to eighth position, just two points behind Newcastle in the final European spot with four games to lose.

There is a lot that both teams can lose tonight, it’s going to be tasty.

I think it’s time for another derby!

It feels like we have been having them every other day lately, especially in London, but there are not many in the capital bigger than Chelsea vs Tottenham.

After the North London Derby, this has to be the second biggest London derby, Chelsea and Spurs don’t like each other. The rivalry has really heated up in the last few years – a certain match comes to mind…

If I can guarantee anything about tonight, the match will certainly not be bland. Their rivalry mixed with the lack of defensive structure in both sides, means we are set up for a belting game.

Don’t forget, Chelsea and Tottenham are still gunning for a place in European competition next year. There is no room for slip-ups.

I can’t wait for this one to get going, so let’s get cracking.