Tottenham vs Chelsea: Harry Kane’s key battle with David Luiz could prove the difference in mouth-watering Wembley clash
HAD Tottenham been able to pick the first guests through the doors of their new Wembley home, reigning Premier League champions Chelsea would not have been first choice.
But that is the reality facing Spurs coach Mauricio Pochettino as a new era begins for the North Londoners with a visit from the Blues on Sunday at 4pm.
Chelsea will arrive at the national stadium severely depleted, however, following red cards for Gary Cahill and Cesc Fabregas in their opening-day defeat to Burnley.
Spurs, on the other hand, are still yet to make a signing this summer but breezed past ten-man Newcastle United 2-0 with goals from Dele Alli and Ben Davies.
Our friends at Football Whispers provide the ultimate preview of Sunday’s big Wembley clash.
Key battle: Harry Kane v David Luiz
Last season’s 29-goal Golden Boot winner will be licking his lips at the prospect of facing a Chelsea defence which looked all over the place against the Clarets last weekend.
The early dismissal of skipper Cahill was a blow, but the Blues crumbled and it was David Luiz left marshalling a defence which contained debutant Antonio Rudiger and youngster Andreas Christensen, who was making just his second top-flight appearance in England.
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Chelsea will be ruing their luck that Kane is able to play on Sunday after the England international somehow avoided red for a horror challenge on Magpies defender Florian Lejeune.
It will, therefore, be on Luiz to lead Chelsea’s backline at Wembley.
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Potential match winners
Spurs will look to Kane to lead the line but, as Sunday’s win on Tyneside proved, Pochettino’s men have plenty of players who can make the difference.
Alli scored 22 times in all competitions last season and his impressive showings saw him crowned PFA Young Player of the Year for a second successive season.
Christian Eriksen’s return of eight goals and 15 assists make him a big threat as well. While Son Heung-min overcame a slow first season in England to post 14 goals and six assists during the 2016/17 campaign.
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Chelsea aren’t shy of players who can make decisive contributions either, and new £65m forward Alvaro Morata began impressively off the bench against Burnley, scoring one and setting up the other.
Pedro could return following injury and the Spaniard, like Son, flourished last season after a poor first campaign in England. He weighed in with nine goals and the same number of assists, as well as supplying 72 crosses.
Willian, too, will have a point to prove while Real Madrid transfer target Eden Hazard is sidelined with a broken ankle. The Brazilian is already halfway to his assist total for last season (2) after the opening weekend.
Managers’ tactics
Mauricio Pochettino reverted to a 4-2-3-1 system against Newcastle having finished last term playing 3-4-2-1. The Argentine could stick to that system, too, in order to outnumber Chelsea in midfield.
Spurs’ high-pressing style is well known and without the ball Alli, Eriksen and Son will all drop back and work hard to win possession.
Meanwhile, Chelsea boss Antonio Conte stuck to his favoured 3-4-2-1 system and a shock defeat to Burnley is unlikely to see the Italian lose faith in the formation which inspired last season’s title win.
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Likely line-ups
Tottenham Hotspur
Kyle Walker-Peters filled in impressively for Spurs at right-back last weekend and, after being named man of the match, should get the nod again.
The only question is whether Moussa Sissoko, surprisingly included against the Magpies, will be afforded a second start in succession.
Chelsea
The Blues welcome Victor Moses back from suspension, meaning Azpilicueta can return to centre-back in Cahill’s absence.
New signing Tiemoue Bakayoko could make his debut in midfield. But if the Frenchman isn’t fit, Conte will have a dilemma on his hands as the Blues do not have another senior central midfielder available.
Key stat
Spurs’ Wembley hoodoo is bound to get brought up if the hosts are beaten under the arch on Sunday. The North Londoners won just once in five games there last season, putting CSKA Moscow to the sword in the Champions League.
The last meeting between the two clubs at Wembley ended 4-2 in Chelsea’s favour in the FA Cup semi-final. Spurs will be desperate for revenge at their temporary home.
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