Harry’s lads must win today and they know it! 3 points for Spurs are indispensable in their quest to the top four. Before today’s game at White Hart Lane, Spurs are in fifth place, 4 points behind their London rivals.
So far, Harry’s lads have had a wonderful season, qualifying for the Champions League knockout phase, topping their group ahead of European defending champions Inter (Note: dear readers, do you remember Peter Crouch’s words after Spurs’4-0 impressive win over Young Boys? That he was hoping a draw against Barcelona, Real Madrid or Inter? Those words raised many eyebrows, yet Spurs managed to finish the group first ahead of Inter. Fantastic achievement, don’t you think?), winning against Arsenal at Emirates and so forth.
It seems that confidence is today’s word for the Comeback Kings and they are likely to win this game, as Chelsea are trying to cope with poor form, injuries, Ancelotti’s rumored resignation and the owner’s dictatorship (despite Abramovich’s phone call to reassure the Italian that his job is safe).
Yet, Chelsea must not be underestimated. I agree: Lampard is missing, John Terry is not 100% fit and their attack seems impotent, but the Blues have both pride and power to hurt Spurs.
They still have Didier Drogba (I think we all can agree that Didier is a fantastic striker). I would have also named Essien, Mikel, Ramires, Kalou or the rebel Anelka, but if there’s a player in Blues’ squad that can hurt Spurs today, his first name must be Didier!
According to goal.com, Luka Modric has warned his team-mates against overconfidence:
“We need to give them [Chelsea] massive respect but, at the same time, we believe in our strength and quality and we are all determined to beat them at home for the third time in row,” he told the club’s official matchday programme.
“We know they are a dangerous side full of great players, unbelievable players.
“When we get out on the pitch we need to play our game, to fight for every ball, to play with confidence and try to beat them again.
“We are in good form and we fear no-one at home.”
“Okay, sure, they have some problems at the moment but that means nothing.
“If we think we will beat them or we are favourites then it’s the wrong attitude.”
Spurs must deal with the absence of talismanic Dutch sensation, Rafael Van Der “Hero”, who hasn’t recovered in time from a hamstring injury. It is reported that Redknapp is ready to deploy Palacios and the „Croatian Cruyff” in the middle, Bale and Lennon on the flanks, Defoe and Crouch in the attack.
Now, this is a hard to predict as it could be anyone’s game! Let’s say that Spurs will win this one: 2-1!
Dear readers, please feel free to leave your comments/predictions below!
