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Ange Postecoglou expressed frustration over being the sole defender of Tottenham Hotspur, noting that other clubs receive more support from pundits. After a 16th Premier League defeat to Chelsea, Spurs find themselves 14th in the table. Only the bottom three teams have lost more games this season, marking their worst performance since 2003-04 when they had 19 losses.

Postecoglou's actions at Stamford Bridge drew criticism from Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp. The Australian manager cupped his ears towards Spurs fans after Pape Sarr's potential equaliser was disallowed by VAR due to a foul in the build-up. Postecoglou pointed out the disparity in media coverage between clubs, stating, "I never switch on the TV and hear any sort of strong voice. The only voice you hear is me."

Southampton face potential relegation from the Premier League this weekend if results don't go their way. Currently sitting at the bottom with eight matches left, they trail Wolves by 19 points. Vitor Pereira's team will play Ipswich Town on Saturday, and a loss combined with a Southampton defeat to Spurs would seal their fate.

Juric, addressing relegation concerns, stated, "I don't think about that anymore. Our goal has to be not be the worst team." He also mentioned uncertainty about his future at St. Mary's if Southampton drops to the Championship.

For Spurs, Son Heung-min remains crucial with involvement in 18 goals against Southampton in 16 appearances (11 goals, seven assists). Mohamed Salah is the only current player with more contributions against a single opponent. Meanwhile, Paul Onuachu stands out for Southampton after an impressive game against Crystal Palace and scoring four goals in his last nine matches.

The match prediction leans towards a Spurs win. In their last 15 home games against Southampton, none ended in a draw (W12 L3), and both teams scored in each of the last eight encounters. Spurs triumphed 5-0 in December's reverse fixture, scoring all five goals in the first half.

Spurs' Home Performance

Despite past successes against Southampton, Spurs have struggled recently at home with just one win in their last ten Premier League matches (D3 L6). They have conceded 26 goals at home this season, averaging 1.73 per game—their second-worst top-flight record.

Southampton's away form is equally concerning; they've secured only five points from their last 18 away games (W1 D2 L15). Their sole victory came against Ipswich Town in February.

The Opta win probability favours Spurs at 65.7%, while a draw stands at 18.2%, and Southampton's chances are pegged at 16.1%.

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Enzo Maresca emphasised the significance of Chelsea's upcoming Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur, describing it as a crucial encounter. Chelsea are currently in the top four but could slip out of the Champions League spots by kick-off. They are just one point ahead of Manchester City, who play Leicester City soon, with Newcastle United and Brighton also close behind.

Chelsea have been dominant in recent encounters with Spurs, losing only once in their last 12 Premier League meetings. They have won the last three matches against Tottenham with a combined score of 10-4. Despite Tottenham's 14th position in the league, Maresca insisted that their standing doesn't diminish the importance of this London derby.

Maresca acknowledged the significance of this match for both fans and the club. "It's a huge game," he stated, highlighting its importance for maintaining their current league position. He noted that Tottenham possess talented players and that any team can pose challenges in the Premier League.

The Chelsea manager discussed tactical approaches, mentioning that they aim to be direct and quick when Tottenham press high. However, if Spurs sit back defensively, Chelsea will need to adapt accordingly. Maresca stressed the importance of winning as many games as possible to build momentum for the season's end.

Maresca also addressed Jadon Sancho's situation at Chelsea. Sancho is on loan from Manchester United, with an obligation for Chelsea to purchase him if they finish 14th or higher. The transfer fee is expected to be between £20-25 million, but Sancho has struggled this season with only seven goal contributions in 23 appearances.

Maresca expressed his desire for more from Sancho, stating that "he can do better in terms of numbers." He reassured that he communicates regularly with Sancho and expects him to continue giving his best until the season concludes.

Team News Ahead of Tottenham Clash

In preparation for facing Spurs, Maresca confirmed that attacking players Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke, and Nicolas Jackson are fit and available. "Cole is back, he is okay. Noni is better. Nico is better," he said, indicating their readiness for selection.

The upcoming match against Tottenham holds significant implications for Chelsea's season ambitions. With key players returning from injury and tactical adjustments planned, Maresca remains focused on securing victory to strengthen their league position.

Chelsea's head coach, Enzo Maresca, commented on the gap between his team and top Premier League sides following a 1-0 loss to Arsenal. "It is quite big," Maresca noted about the difference between Arsenal and Chelsea. He attributed this to Arsenal's continuity with the same manager for five years and players experienced in important games. Maresca emphasised closing this gap as Chelsea's target.

For Chelsea, Marc Cucurella has been impressive, scoring twice in his last three league appearances. The Spaniard has consistently taken shots in recent games, showing his attacking intent. Meanwhile, Tottenham's Son Heung-min is close to achieving a milestone with nine assists this season. One more would see him record 10+ assists in four separate seasons for Spurs.

Chelsea have dominated recent encounters against Tottenham, losing just once in their last 12 Premier League meetings (W9 D2). Their last defeat was in November 2018. Chelsea have won their last three matches against Spurs with an aggregate score of 10-4. Historically, they have secured more wins (36) and goals (120) against Tottenham than any other opponent.

Match Prediction and Statistics

The prediction favours a Chelsea win given their strong record against Spurs. Tottenham have struggled in London derbies this season, earning only ten points from nine such games (W3 D1 L5). Only Leicester and Southampton have lost more away games than Spurs' eight this season. The OPTA win probability suggests Chelsea at 54.5%, a draw at 21.6%, and Fulham at 24%.

As both teams prepare for their upcoming clash at Stamford Bridge, each will aim to address their respective challenges and improve their standings in the league table.