Daily Express

Few rivalries in London stir emotions quite like a clash between Chelsea and Tottenham. This is more than just a game - it's a long-standing grudge match where history meets hostility, transforming each encounter into a fierce battle for dominance in the capital. Recent meetings have provided non-stop drama - featuring hair pulls, intense hand shakes, red cards, and an avalanche of goals.

Their upcoming face-off is expected to be no different, even as both sides struggle to recapture their best form. Chelsea's early-season spark has faded, leaving them fighting to stay in the race for a Champions League spot. Tottenham, meanwhile, are desperately trying to avoid their worst Premier League finish since 2004, with increasing pressure on Ange Postecoglou. Both teams are in dire need of a victory - yet neither seems able to guarantee one. As anticipation builds across London, with pride, league standings, and bragging rights at stake, Express Football brings you all the key details on how to follow the action.

When and where is the match?

Chelsea vs Tottenham will be played at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, April 3. Kick-off is scheduled for 8pm UK time. Under the bright midweek lights, the stage is set for a high-intensity showdown as the season reaches its climax.

How to watch the match?

UK viewers can catch the game live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage starting from 7pm. Fans on the go can stream the match via the Sky Go app on smartphones, tablets, or laptops.

No Sky subscription? No worries - NOW TV offers flexible viewing options, including a day pass for £14.99 or a monthly pass for £34.99, allowing you to watch without a long-term contract.

Chelsea team news

Injuries have hampered Chelsea, with Nicolas Jackson, Noni Madueke, and more recently, Cole Palmer all sidelined. However, the trio could be available for this crucial match. Palmer, who missed last month's Arsenal fixture and withdrew from England duty due to a thigh problem, is expected to make the squad.

The Blues are also hopeful about Madueke and Jackson, who resumed training late last month after recovering from hamstring troubles. However, the club may decide to ease them back into action rather than risk an early return.

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Tottenham team news

Dejan Kulusevski, Richarlison, Lucas Bergvall, and Kevin Danso are all expected to return soon, but their participation against Chelsea remains uncertain. Bergvall appears fit after overcoming the illness that kept him out of Sweden's international matches.

Kulusevski is in a race against time, having been absent since Spurs' February loss to Manchester City. Danso may have a chance to feature but won't be rushed back, particularly with Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven available again.

Richarlison, recovering from a calf issue, was anticipated to regain fitness over the international break. With Postecoglou optimistic about his progress, there's a strong likelihood he'll make the squad for Thursday's encounter.

What’s at stake?

Beyond local bragging rights, this fixture could have a major impact on European qualification. Chelsea are striving to cement a top-four finish, while Spurs need maximum points to remain in contention in a congested table.

Maresca's side faces a brutal run-in, with Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester United, and a resurgent Nottingham Forest still to come. Securing points early is critical for their momentum.

Tottenham’s European ambitions remain intact, but consistency is crucial in the final stretch of the season. A statement win against Chelsea could provide a much-needed morale boost - though history isn't on their side, with only one Premier League triumph at Stamford Bridge since 1992.

Head-to-head record

Chelsea have struggled against other ‘big six’ teams recently, but not when it comes to Tottenham. They've lost only twice in their last 16 meetings since January 2019 - and one of those was a penalty shootout defeat in the League Cup.

Postecoglou has yet to beat Chelsea, suffering three defeats while conceding four goals in two of those games. Their last meeting in December ended in a 4-3 thriller, with Chelsea overturning a two-goal deficit to snatch victory.

Chelsea also handed Postecoglou his first Premier League defeat, winning 4-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after Spurs had made an unbeaten 10-game start to the 2023/24 season. Since then, neither Tottenham nor Postecoglou have looked the same.

Tottenham icon Graham Roberts believes that Daniel Levy should snub Andoni Iraola for another Premier League boss if Ange Postecoglou is sacked. The current Bournemouth boss has been instilled as the favourite to take over after an impressive two seasons on the south coast.

Bournemouth have 10 more points than Spurs this season and are only seven points away from the top four. A reported release clause included in Iraola’s contract appears to be tempting the north London outfit, but Roberts has urged caution in removing Postecoglou for the Spanish coach.

He instead feels that Eddie Howe should be placed at the top of the shortlist.

“Someone said Iraola from Bournemouth but he plays the same way as Ange,” Roberts told Express Sport with Mr Vegas Online Casino. “With the way that they press, you are not going to get anything different.

“We had Nuno (Espirito Santo), Nuno left and he is doing really well at Nottingham Forest now. I suppose it is down to the players that you have.

“Eddie Howe I would put at the top of the list, I thought he was brilliant at Bournemouth. If it (Postecoglou getting sacked) does happen then we will see what names get thrown into the hat.”

The chances of Howe being prepared to swap Newcastle for Spurs are slim, with the Magpies riding high following their Carabao Cup win. They are also more likely to qualify for Europe next season.

Spurs’ only hope of reaching the Champions League would be by winning the Europa League. They have a two-legged tie with Eintracht Frankfurt starting next week, with Roberts believing that winning that competition could see Postecoglou hold onto his job.

“It’s a difficult one and I think we have to wait until the end of the season, he has got two more years on his contract. In the end of it, the decision will be made by the board. That is down to them.

“My opinion is let him see if he wins the Europa League, if we win the Europa League then they have a decision to make and that’s up to them. But the position in the league is not good enough for Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.”

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Roberts also thinks that Spurs, despite being in desperate need of points to move up the table, would be happy with a point at Stamford Bridge on Thursday when they take on Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea.

“It all depends on what players come back from international duty and are fit for Tottenham,” he explained. “And also for Chelsea you have got Cole Palmer, is he going to be fit? If he is fit then Chelsea are a better side.

“I think it is going to be a real tough game for both teams, it could go either way, I actually think Tottenham would take a draw now. But I don’t think that is good enough for Chelsea, I think Chelsea need to win. So there is a lot of pressure on them.”

Ange Postecoglou remains unshaken about his position at Tottenham, confidently stating that he's not concerned about his future as he believes he could easily secure another top role.

Despite the pressure mounting on him due to Tottenham's disappointing run of losing 15 out of their 29 Premier League matches this season, Postecoglou maintains that he is "well and truly on the road" to meeting the goals set when he assumed the managerial role in the summer of 2023.

The Tottenham manager shrugged off Mauricio Pochettino's remarks about wanting to return to the club one day, asserting that such speculation does "not rock my world."

With Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola and Fulham's Marco Silva being touted as potential replacements, Postecoglou is feeling the heat. However, he stands by the progress made under his leadership, highlighting the team's commitment to playing more attractive football and thei contention in the Europa League, with a quarter-final clash against Eintracht Frankfurt on the horizon.

Postecoglou stated: "I know what my responsibilities are and I am sure if the club decides to go in a different direction there are some outstanding candidates for it.

"And you know what, maybe someone will think: 'Ange Postecoglou is not a bad coach, maybe we'll take a punt on him.' Mate, it doesn't rock my world. It doesn't consume me.

"I am here, I am passionate about what we're doing. I was brought in to change the way the club plays, rejuvenate the squad and bring success. I am focused on that and that is what I'll keep doing."

Despite losing all three matches against Chelsea since taking over, including being on the receiving end of two home losses, Postecoglou remains undeterred, vowing not to deviate from his philosophy.

He confidently stated: "Sorry to disappoint. We'll go there and have a crack and see if it'll be a good game and hopefully we'll come out on top. I think every club's on its own journey and I was brought here for a couple of specific reasons.

"One was to change the way the club plays its football, rejuvenate the squad and bring some success. We're well and truly on that road and we'll stay on that road until those things happen."

Postecoglou, who has a colourful coaching career including stints with the Australian national team, Celtic, and now Tottenham, is known for advocating an intense style of play. This approach has, however, seen a rise in player injuries under his tenure.

The determined Australian coach insists the sport should look into the reasons why injuries are being sustained regularly and preventative measures such as mandating a set off-season for players in order to preserve the overall quality of football.

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Postecoglou added: "The demands of international football, of continental football, are increasing so at some point something has to give if we want the product to remain and we want to look after the most important participants which are the players.

"This is the only league where you have got this amount of teams, three competitions, no winter break and no sort of rest weekends before European fixtures. It''s the only league that does it. Either we're smarter than everyone else or maybe there's something in what others are doing."

Regarding Tottenham's key player Dejan Kulusevski, Postecoglou revealed that he will miss the Chelsea game and the first leg against Frankfurt. However, he added that he has a chance of returning for the second leg: "He's out of the boot, that was the first hurdle. We're talking a couple of weeks so definitely not the first leg. A chance for the second."