Chelsea vs Tottenham preview | Latest team news | Expected line-ups | Prediction

Chelsea will need to get over their Carabao Cup final disappointment quickly as they take on Tottenham at Stamford Bridge this evening.

The Blues put in a spirited performance to draw 0-0 with Manchester City at Wembley on Sunday afternoon just two weeks after being thrashed 6-0 by Pep Guardiola’s men but ultimately they came up short again after losing on penalties.

The game was overshadowed by a bizarre incident involving Kepa Arrizabalaga after the goalkeeper refused to be substituted towards the end of extra-time. Many pundits felt the Spaniard had undermined Maurizio Sarri’s authority and Kepa has been fined by the club after issuing an apology.

Chelsea need to put it all behind them and concentrate on football tonight as they currently sit sixth in the table – three points behind fourth-placed Arsenal – so they need a positive result to keep in touch with their rivals.

However, it’s not going to be easy against a tough Tottenham side who’ll be desperate to bounce back following a shock 2-1 defeat at Burnley which has left them trailing leaders Liverpool by six points.

Team news

Sarri is expected to stand-by Kepa despite the incident on Sunday while Emerson Palmieri is also likely to keep his place ahead of Marcos Alonso at left-back.

Chelsea have no fresh injury worries to contend with but Davide Zappacosta has been struck down by flu while Gary Cahill remains out with a back injury.

Tottenham remain without the services of Eric Dier as he’s got tonsillitis while Dele Alli is still working his way back from a hamstring injury.

Ben Davies, Kieran Trippier and Davinson Sanchez are all pushing for recalls while Harry Kane made a successful return from injury at the weekend.

Expected line-ups

Predicted score

Chelsea 1-1 Tottenham: Chelsea have lost just one of their last 32 home games against Tottenham but that defeat did come last season and Spurs have won three of the last four meetings. However, the Blues looked far more organised against City on Sunday and I don’t see them losing this game. I’m going for a 1-1 draw.