Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea is a clash with plenty at stake, but former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson has made a rather unusual prediction ahead of the game.
Thursday night sees Tottenham Hotspur lock horns with a familiar foe as they take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
For Chelsea, a win here would significantly boost their chances of securing a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Meanwhile, Spurs have little more than pride to play for, with Ange Postecoglou’s men languishing in 14th place in the league.
However, revenge could be on the cards, as Tottenham will be eager to get one over their rivals after a chaotic 4-3 defeat in the reverse fixture.
Mark Lawrenson’s verdict on Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea
Both sides have struggled with consistency this season, and former Liverpool man Mark Lawrenson does not expect much from either.
Writing for Paddy Power, he said: “Both Chelsea and Tottenham are strange teams when you really look at them. Chelsea had a good start but are so unreliable now, and we know about the baggage that Tottenham carry around. This looks like a draw to me.”
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Score prediction: Chelsea 1-1 Tottenham.
It’s a cautious prediction from Lawrenson, who seems unconvinced by either team’s ability to get the job done on the night.
Why a 1-1 draw between Spurs and Chelsea seems unlikely
A 1-1 draw feels like an odd shout, considering how these two have clashed in recent times, as none of their last five meetings have ended in a 1-1 draw.
In fact, you have to go back to 2022 to find the last time Spurs and Chelsea shared the points, with it being a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge. The last time this Tottenham vs Chelsea ended 1-1 came all the way back in the 2013/14 season.
Looking at their recent head-to-head record, Chelsea have won three of the last five, with Spurs claiming just one victory, while the other ended in the aforementioned draw.
If anything, history suggests this game will produce goals and a decisive result, meaning Lawrenson’s prediction could well be off the mark.
Of course, for Tottenham, they will have to be at their best to take anything from this one.