Usually, New Year's Day is a time of celebration...unless if one is a Chelsea fan that watched their team take on Tottenham at White Hart Lane.
Earlier this year, the Blues faced off against the Spurs, who had not defeated them in their past nine league encounters. However, on January 1, 2015, the tables were turned as a certain young English striker by the name of Harry Kane netted a hat-trick as he inspired his side to a resounding 5-3 win. Although it was not enough to derail Chelsea's title challenge, this time around, things are looking vastly different.
Tottenham
As things stand, it's Spurs who are looking down on Chelsea, with a 10 point gap separating them from the reigning Premier League champions. Mauricio Pochettino's men will be coming into this London Derby having enjoyed a successful past week both in their domestic and European fixtures. Last weekend saw emerging talent Kane net a brace in the team's 4-1 thrashing of West Ham and the English international showed his class yet again by grabbing the only goal in Tottenham's 1-0 Europa League win over Azerbaijani outfit Qarabag FK to seal their spot in the round of 32.
Today's hosts are unbeaten in their last five Premier League matches and will certainly love to repeat their exploits from New Year's Day this afternoon against Chelsea. They are within touching distance of the top four sides and Pochettino will be hoping that their congested fixture list will not have an ill effect on his players as they week to clinch all three points later today.
Pochettino will have to make do without the services of Dele Alli due to suspension, but the quartet of Mousa Dembele, Kyle Walker, Danny Rose and Erik Lamela are all available for selection as the first three were rested for the trip to Azerbaijan and Lamela returns after serving his own ban.
Should Spurs win, they could push Chelsea even closer to the relegation zone as they themselves move themselves closer to a Champions League berth.
Chelsea
Meanwhile, although Chelsea will also be coming into this clash having won their last two games, there will still be an air of tension around Blues' camp. With the reigning Premier League champions closer to the relegation zone than anywhere near defending their title, Jose Mourinho is still a man under pressure as he hopes to win back-to-back games for the first time this season.
They had to fight tooth and nail to grind out a win against Norwich City, a team - without sounding disrespectful - that last year's side, had they faced off, would have had no trouble dealing with. Perhaps fortunately for Blues fans, Chelsea redeemed themselves by cruising to an easy win over Maccabi Tel Aviv and are just one point away from securing their spot in the round of 16.
As they prepare to face Spurs at the very same ground they were defeated in the first game of 2015, Chelsea will also have to overcome their poor form on the road. Out of their six away fixtures, they have won just one, losing the other four and drawing the remaining one. At this juncture, their title aspirations are just a pipe dream and even securing a top four spot will be a tough task, but with 24 rounds remaining Mourinho will hope that his side have finally turned a corner and will return to the same kind of form that saw them win their first league title in five seasons this past May.
Skipper John Terry, who suffered an injury against Maccabi did not take part in a recent training session and may not be fit to feature. Should the veteran be unable to take his usual spot in the center of defense, Mourinho could call on the duo of Kurt Zouma and Gary Cahill to do their part in trying to stop Kane from running riot again. In addition, Ramires is still struggling with a muscular problem but Cesc Fabregas will be able to take part after recovering from a toe injury.
The pressure will be firmly on the Blues to get a result at White Hart Lane. Will Spurs give them a bad taste of déjà vu? Or will Chelsea finally start to get things right as we approach the halfway point of the 2015/2016 season?
Which channel is broadcasting Tottenham vs Chelsea on TV or Online?
It's an early morning one, especially if you are based in the USA with a 7.00 start time for East Coast residents and a 4 AM(!) kick-off time if you live in California. Still, do not expect the early kick-off to deter Spurs and Chelsea fans in the US and around the world. Here are some viewing options (assuming you are not going to catch the derby live at White Hart Lane):
- In the USA at 7.00 EST on: USA Network, NBC Sports Live Extra, SiriusXM FC, Westwood One Sports, Telemundo, NBC Deportes En Vivo Extra
- In the UK at 12.00 GMT on: BT Sport 1, BBC Radio, BT Sport Live Streaming, TalkSport Radio UK, BT Sport Ultra HD
- In Canada at 7.00 EST on: TSN4, RDS 2, TSN1, TSN5
Live outside one of these three countries? Then visit our Tottenham vs Chelsea broadcast page for viewings options and times for your specific location.
*Note: Live broadcast data is subject to change*
Official Team Sheets
Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris (C), Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Dier, Mason; Dembele, Eriksen, Son; Kane
Subs: Worm, Trippier, Wimmer, Onomah, CHRISTMAS, Lamela, Njie
Chelsea: Begovic; Ivanovic (c), Zouma, Cahill, Azpilicueta; Fabregas, Matic; Willian, Oscar, Pedro; Hazard.
Detalhes do jogo, resultados e informações da transmissão original
Este jogo terminou. Abaixo estão as listagens de transmissões originais - Live para este jogo.
Cobertura Televisiva em Directo e Streaming em United States
Cobertura Televisiva em Directo e Streaming em United States
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