CHELSEA v Tottenham: Preview
Date: Tuesday 19th
May 2026
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Kick-off: 20:15 BST
From
a blatantly carved out title for action man, some of the poorest games we’ve
ever had the misfortune to watch and certainly the worst officiating, we’re finally
on the home stretch of a Premier League season that’s been about as enjoyable
as a trip to the dentist for a root canal.
Tonight’s penultimate game, we’re treated to our final home outing, just in time for Sp*rs to rock up with their new miracle-working manager. Honestly, the timing couldn’t be worse—Lavia’s managed to injure himself (again!) by daring to touch a blade of grass, Colwill’s probably being rested, and Joao Pedro is unlikely to make it after limping off at the weekend. And the cherry on our misfortune cake? Delap’s fit to start.
Still,
don’t pack away your passports just yet! There’s a sliver—no, a glimmer—of hope
for European football if the stars, planets and several results all align.
Meanwhile, Sp*rs are desperately trying not to get relegated, which, with their
luck, probably means they’ll fluke a win off someone’s knee in the 97th minute.
Of
course, we enter tonight’s spectacle straight from our fourth FA Cup final
defeat in a row—yes, that’s right, four. Stranger things have happened—like
VAR, which continues to deliver decisions so baffling they could be used as
Mensa entry tests. At least our defence looked solid, even if our attack
couldn’t have scored in an empty net. Still, the appointment of Xavi Alonso
softened the blow a little – because that was the intention of the timely leak
after all, right?
As for Sp*rs, they haven’t lost in four games (don’t laugh—it’s true), thanks to Roberto De Zerbi pulling off more escapes than Houdini. They’re two points clear of West Ham, so a result here and they’ll avoid the drop. Imagine the agony if they actually manage it at the Bridge—the shame!
At
least it’ll be over soon—unless they introduce extra time for sheer punishment.
MANAGER’S VIEWS
Going
into tonight’s game, Calum McFarlane, says “I think the players have shown
in the last two games that their fight and their heart has been questioned at
times. I think they’ve shown in the last two games that for me that’s not an
issue. Everyone knows the rivalry between Chelsea and Tottenham, but ultimately
both teams have got a lot to play for. So I don’t think we’re going to have to
do anything extra special to motivate the lads. We need six points from our
next two games. I think they need a point to almost guarantee safety. Both
teams are fighting at different parts of the table, but both teams are fighting
for the points, so we shouldn’t need to add any extra motivation, but it will
naturally be there with a London derby between Chelsea and Tottenham.”
Tottenham
manager, Roberto De Zerbi, meanwhile says, “Stamford Bridge is difficult.
It’s a tough stadium because the players of Chelsea in the last 30 to 25
seasons have been fantastic. Fantastic players, fantastic managers, but
tomorrow is a new game. They played three days ago, two days ago very well. Maybe
they didn’t deserve to lose the game. I know very well a lot of players and
their style is clear. It is a tough game for us for sure.
We
have to play with confidence because in the last four games, the last five
games with me, because we didn’t deserve to lose the game in Sunderland, but in
the last four we made eight points. And if you analyse the performance, I think
we could make more points than eight, and for that we have to be confident, be
positive. Anyway, we can’t forget one month ago what was the situation. We are
not safe yet, it’s tough in the Premier League. Making one point is tough
because all teams fight on the pitch, all teams are very tough to beat, but we
have the quality enough and we have to show the quality with the right
mentality, the right spirit. I want to see courage on the pitch, try (to have)
the condition to win the game, like in the last period.”
SQUAD NEWS
For Chelsea, Jamie Gittens (thigh), Jesse
Derry (head), Estevao Willian (knee) are all injured. Mykhaylo Mudryk continues
to serve a 4-year ban pending appeal. Romeo Lavia (knock) and Joao Pedro (leg) are
doubtful, whilst Levi Colwill may be rested.
For Tottenham, Xavi Simons (knee),
Dominic Solanke (hamstring), Ben Davies (ankle), Wilson Odobert (knee), Dejan
Kulusevski (knee), Mohammed Kudus (thigh) and Cristian Romero (knee) are all
out. Guglielmo Vicario (hernia) returns.
TEAMS
CHELSEA (Possible line-up): Sanchez; Fofana, Chalobah, Hato; Gusto, Caicedo, Fernandez, Cucurella; Palmer, Neto; Delap
TOTTENHAM (Possible line-up): Kinsky; Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bentancur, Palhinha; Kolo Muani, Gallagher, Tel; Richarlison
LAST SEASON
Chelsea 1-0 Tottenham (3rd
April 2025)
CURRENT FORM (PL)
CHELSEA: LLLLLD
TOTTENHAM: LONDON
OTHER STUFF
- Chelsea
have won 38 Premier League games against Tottenham - Tottenham
have won 1 of their last 35 away games against Chelsea - Chelsea
have won their last 5 games against Tottenham in the league - Chelsea
have not won in their last 7 games in the Premier League - Chelsea
have not lost their final league game at home in the last 23 seasons - Tottenham
lost their final away game last season - Chelsea
have lost their last four games at Stamford Bridge - Tottenham
have won their last 2 on the road in the Premier League
PREDICTION
Sportsmole: Chelsea 1-1 Tottenham
