London derbies don’t get bigger than this, as Chelsea host Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday night, with the hosts looking to secure a place in Europe, and Spurs hoping that they can confirm their survival before the final day.

Newly appointed Blues’ manager Xabi Alonso will watch on, after he was appointed on Sunday on a contract running until 2030.

Match Preview

The Blues are fresh of the back of Saturday’s FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City, after a moment of brilliance by Antoine Semenyo secured the Cityzens their second trophy of the season.

Callum McFarlane’s side are winless in their last seven league games and sit in 10th in the table, but a Champions League finish is still within their reach, with the Blues sitting six points adrift of Bournemouth in 6th.

Chelsea have never lost five league games in a row at Stamford Bridge, and they will want to prevent an ugly record as they try to ensure they do not miss out on Europe for the second time in four seasons.

Spurs however will not be a walk in the park, with the visitors knowing that a point would secure their Premier Leagues safety.

The appointment of Roberto De Zerbi has seen an upturn in form, with Spurs unbeaten in four matches and equalling their longest unbeaten run of the season.

They come off the back of a 1-1 draw with Leeds, however prior wins against Aston Villa and Wolves will inspire the Lilywhites and mean that survival could be secured with a point against their London rivals.

On form it is the visitors who would appear to be the favourites, but they have torrid form at Stamford Bridge, a stadium they’ve won just once in the last 36 years.

Chelsea Team News

Injury to Joao Pedro meant that he had to be substituted in the latter stages of the FA Cup final, and fresh off not making the Brazil World Cup squad, he looks a doubt going into the London derby.

Also missing out on the squad was Estevao, who remains out with his hamstring injury, and joins Jesse Derry and Jamie Gittens, who both remain sidelined.

Mykhaylo Mudryk is also still out, following his ban. It may also prove to be too soon for Levi Colwill, who will likely see his minutes managed after recently returning after a lengthy absence after a severe knee injury.

Neto, Garnacho and Robert Sanchez all were back involved in Saturday’s final and are likely to be involved.

Tottenham Team News

The injury list for Tottenham is yet again very extensive, with Xavi Simons, Wilson Odobert, Dejan Kulusevski and Cristian Romero all out with knee issues, Dominic Solanke still absent with a hamstring problem, Ben Davies out with an ankle injury and Mohammed Kudus injured with a thigh issue.

Guglielmo Vicario however is set to return from a hernia and may come back into the side.

Chelsea vs Tottenham: Predicted line-ups

Chelsea (3-4-3): Sanchez; Fofana, Tosin, Hato; Gusto, Caicedo, Fernandez, Cucurella; Neto, Palmer, Delap

Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Kinsky; Udogie, Van de Ven, Danso, Porro; Bentancur, Palhinha; Tel, Gallagher, Kolo Muani; Richarlison

Prediction

Chelsea 1-1 Tottenham

It will take a lot to see Spurs break their Stamford Bridge hoodoo, however the side will come into the fixture knowing that a result will be enough to secure their Premier League status for another season. Roberto De Zerbi’s side have improved form and have looked much better in recent weeks.

As for Chelsea, they have looked much more solid under Callum McFarlane, but the likely absence of Joao Pedro added to Chelsea’s already attacking woes means that a low scoring draw looks likely in this highly anticipated London derby.