JACOB KUPFERMAN / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP

Chelsea vs Tottenham Odds, Preview, and Tips

Game time & date: 16:30 BST, Sunday August 14
Location: Stamford Bridge, London
Last result between the two: Chelsea 2-0 Spurs, Premier League, January 2022
Broadcast: Sky Sports Main Event & Premier League

Chelsea and Tottenham were both winners on the opening weekend, but the two London clubs have had contrasting summers with an uneasy mood at Stamford Bridge compared to the positivity at Spurs.

Thomas Tuchel is demanding further signings be made by new owner Todd Boehly while Spurs head coach Antonio Conte seems more satisfied after the bulk of their business was completed early.

The first big London derby of the season is sure to be an exciting one, with Spurs seeking to arrest a run of four straight defeats in all competitions against Chelsea.

Chelsea old boys face tougher test

Last weekend Chelsea battled to a 1-0 win at Everton, against whom their recent record is poor, but needed a penalty from Jorginho to take the points from their trip to Merseyside. Tuchel named a back three with a combined age of 100 as Kalidou Koulibaly made his Premier League debut and, while the Senegal international boasts huge experience alongside fellow veterans Thiago Silva and Cesar Azpilicueta, their lack of pace could be exposed against a Spurs side that is strong on the counter-attack.

Tuchel might hand a first start to recent big-money signing Marc Cucurella, who was a target for the champions Manchester City, but there are question marks over the identity of his most effective attack. Raheem Sterling could play as a false nine, while Christian Pulisic is an option to come into the side.

The Blues can take heart from the fact they recorded four wins out of four against Spurs last season, beating their rivals twice in the EFL Cup semi-finals as well as 2-0 and 3-0 Premier League victories. Spurs have not won away at Chelsea since 2018, so the head-to-head record strongly favours Chelsea here, especially as they did not even concede a single goal in the four meetings between the sides last term.

On those grounds, the 3/1 offered with Bet365 for Chelsea to win the game to nil surely appeals.

Spurs to turn to new signings?

Spurs had to come from behind at home to Southampton but they were among the most impressive teams on the opening weekend of the Premier League, romping to a 4-1 victory that could easily have been a win by an even larger margin. That win came despite Conte sticking with a similar side to last season, with none of his new signings starting the game. Dejan Kulusevski shone against Southampton with a goal and an assist and he is likely to be a handful for Chelsea’s experienced defence to handle.

Conte has to decide whether to mix things up by bringing in new arrival Richarlison, who was suspended last weekend but has a fine record against the Blues, netting three times including the winner for Everton at the end of last season, helping the Toffees to secure survival. Spurs seem likely to sit deep and try to soak up pressure in this one but Conte will be fully aware of his side’s poor recent record against his old club Chelsea and could therefore spring a surprise with a tweak to his usual 3-4-3 system.

In six of the past seven games between these sides in all competitions, under 2.5 goals has been a winner so the 10/11 at Bet365 looks good value for Sunday’s blockbuster clash at the Bridge.

Chelsea vs Tottenham odds & predictions

The Blues are preferred in the Chelsea v Spurs betting odds to win considering they beat Tottenham four times out of four last term. A Chelsea win provides solid value, after Spurs failed to score in any of their league and cup meetings against Chelsea during the 2021-22 season.

Author: Jamie Smith