Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has shared his score prediction ahead of Tottenham Hotspur’s Premier League match against Chelsea tomorrow afternoon.
Antonio Conte returns to Stamford Bridge with his Tottenham side on the back of a comfortable 4-1 victory against Southampton last weekend, while Chelsea emerged as 1-0 winners at Everton.
Both clubs have been active in the summer transfer window with Spurs bringing in six new faces to date in Ivan Perisic, Yves Bissouma, Richarlison, Fraser Forster, Clement Lenglet and Djed Spence. Chelsea have also made some high-profile signings of their own with Marc Cucurella, Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly, Carney Chukwuemeka and Gabriel Slonina all having arrived during the summer.
Stamford Bridge has been a tough ground for the Lilywhites in recent times. Spurs have managed to win just one of their last 37 matches in all competitions at Chelsea’s home ground, having drawn 12 and lost 24. (Sky Sports)
Merson believes that Spurs will want to set down a marker against Thomas Tuchel’s side given the investment they have made in the squad and will come away with a point.
Merson told Sportskeeda: “This match is massive, and not just because of the rivalry between the two teams. Chelsea beat Tottenham four times last season. They did the double over Spurs in the Premier League and that produced a huge 12-point swing in their favor.”
“I’m worried for Chelsea this weekend. They were a bit United-ish against Everton, if I’m being honest. Their game wasn’t fluid and pretty stop-start, and they couldn’t put four passes together against an Everton team that wasn’t great to begin with. If Spurs come to Stamford Bridge and win, you’d be worried about Chelsea and their top-four credentials.”
“Tottenham will want to make a statement here. A victory against Chelsea would turn heads, even if it’s only the second game of the season. If they lose after buying all those players, however, you’ll hear talk of how they still haven’t caught up with the Premier League’s big boys.”
“If either team loses this match, it’s a massive step in the wrong direction. Neither Chelsea nor Tottenham Hotspur can afford to suffer defeat this weekend, and I think this game will end in a draw.
“Prediction: Chelsea 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur.”
Our View
Paul Merson is right in being worried for Chelsea. If their pre-season displays are anything to go by, Spurs have undoubtedly been the better team amongst the two clubs and have by far had the better transfer window.
Tomorrow will be a true test of how far Tottenham have come, even if it is very early on in the season. Should the club have ambitions of mounting a title challenge, they need to be coming away from these matches with at least a point.
