Chelsea look to secure their top-four position in a London derby. Here’s our preview and prediction for Thursday’s Premier League clash against Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.
Table of Contents
Chelsea vs Tottenham: Preview
Chelsea kicked off Matchday 30 in fourth place but could drop to seventh by the time this clash begins. Fortunately for Enzo Maresca, his side thrives at home, Tottenham struggles on the road, and the Blues have historically dominated this fixture.
Chelsea enter the game with the league’s joint-longest home winning streak, having secured four consecutive Premier League victories at Stamford Bridge, including clean sheets in the last two.
While those wins came against Southampton and Leicester—both seemingly destined for an immediate return to the Championship—Tottenham’s away record offers little reassurance. With eight losses on the road this season, only Southampton and Leicester (12 and 10, respectively) have fared worse. Spurs haven’t suffered more away defeats in a league campaign since 2008-09, when they lost 11.
Adding to their woes, Tottenham have picked up just 10 points in London derbies this season—the lowest in the division, tied with Brentford. However, they do hold a better record than Chelsea in head-to-head matchups among the traditional ‘big six,’ collecting nine points compared to the Blues’ league-low five.
Despite the usual intensity of a derby, questions remain over what exactly Tottenham are fighting for in this encounter.
If Tottenham are to secure three points, they may need Son Heung-min to break an unusual record—one that his current form suggests he could.
The South Korean star has faced Chelsea 17 times in the Premier League without registering an assist, the most appearances he has made against any club without setting one up. However, with nine assists already in the 2024-25 season, he is just one away from matching Christian Eriksen’s club record of four Premier League campaigns with double-digit assists.
As for Tottenham’s attacking lineup, it remains uncertain who will partner Son. Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that no new injuries were sustained during the international break, but this match will still come too soon for Kevin Danso, Dejan Kulusevski, and Richarlison.
Chelsea have received a slight boost, with Nicolas Jackson, Noni Madueke, and Cole Palmer all available for selection. Jackson, in particular, will be a welcome addition for Enzo Maresca, having been sidelined since the 2-1 victory over West Ham in early February. His return is timely, given his impressive record in fixtures of this magnitude.
The Senegalese forward has netted four times against Tottenham in the Premier League, with only West Ham matching that tally as his most favored opponent. Among players with at least 20 goals in the competition, only Manuel Lanzini (48.1%) has scored a higher percentage of his total in London derbies than Jackson (47.8%).
Regardless of the lineup, the statistics overwhelmingly favor Chelsea. This season, they have won five and drawn one of their six home matches against teams starting the matchday in the bottom half of the table—where Tottenham currently sit.
Spurs can point to their stunning 4-0 victory at Manchester City in November as proof of their ability to win tough away fixtures. However, that remains an outlier, as they have lost all six other matches against teams currently in the top half.
Further tilting the odds in Chelsea’s favor is their historical dominance in this fixture. They have beaten Tottenham more times (36) and scored more goals (120) in the Premier League than against any other opponent, making an upset at Stamford Bridge seem highly unlikely.
Chelsea vs Tottenham: Head-to-head
Tottenham’s record against Chelsea is dismal, both under Ange Postecoglou and in the years before his tenure.
Chelsea remain the only Premier League side Postecoglou has faced without earning a single point. Another defeat here would see him set an unfortunate record as the first Tottenham manager to lose his first four league meetings with the Blues.
Spurs can take some solace in the fact that their longest losing streak against Chelsea in the league dates back to January 2000 to March 2002, when they suffered six consecutive defeats. However, with Chelsea winning nine of the last 12 league encounters and losing just once, the odds remain heavily stacked against the visitors.
Their most recent league meeting, a dramatic 4-3 Chelsea victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in December, encapsulated Spurs’ struggles in this fixture. Despite taking an early 2-0 lead through Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski, they crumbled as Jadon Sancho pulled one back before a Cole Palmer brace and an Enzo Fernández strike turned the game in Chelsea’s favor. Son Heung-min added a stoppage-time goal for Tottenham, but it was nothing more than a consolation.
Chelsea vs Tottenham: Team News and Predicted Lineup
Chelsea – Team News
Chelsea have received a significant boost ahead of tonight’s Premier League clash against Tottenham, with Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke, and Nicolas Jackson all back in contention.
Palmer sat out the 1-0 defeat to Arsenal before the international break due to a minor muscle injury, which also forced him to withdraw from England duty. It was the first Premier League match he had missed all season, but he resumed training last week alongside Madueke and Jackson, who have both been recovering from hamstring issues.
Madueke has been sidelined since suffering his injury in February’s 3-0 loss at Brighton, while Jackson last featured in the home win over West Ham on transfer deadline day two months ago. Speaking on Wednesday, Enzo Maresca confirmed their availability, stating: “Cole is back, he’s okay, he’s better. Noni is better, Nico is better. They are all good.”
Pedro Neto, who has been filling in as a No.9, could now return to the wing, putting Jadon Sancho and Christopher Nkunku’s places in the lineup under threat.
Meanwhile, the scheduling of the FA Cup quarter-finals has worked in Chelsea’s favor, allowing first-choice midfield duo Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernández ample time to recover from their South American commitments. Their presence will be crucial, especially with Maresca confirming that Romeo Lavia has suffered another injury setback and remains a major doubt.
Chelsea – Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)
- Goalkeeper – Robert Sanchez
- Defenders – Fofana, Badiashile, Colwill, Cucurella
- Midfielders – Caicedo, Fernandez, Palmer
- Forwards – Madueke, Neto, Jackson
Tottenham – Team News
Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven are set to start together for Tottenham in the Premier League for the first time since December’s reverse fixture against Chelsea, a game in which both defenders suffered injuries.
Ange Postecoglou is expected to field his strongest lineup for Thursday’s clash at Stamford Bridge before rotating players for Sunday’s match against Southampton, keeping the Europa League quarter-final first leg against Eintracht Frankfurt in mind.
Tottenham will be without Dejan Kulusevski (foot), Kevin Danso (hamstring), and Radu Dragusin (knee), while Richarlison has returned to full training but will not feature against Chelsea.
In defense, Postecoglou faces a decision between Pedro Porro, Djed Spence, and Destiny Udogie at full-back, with Udogie likely to miss out given Spence’s strong performances at left-back in recent months.
Rodrigo Bentancur, Lucas Bergvall, and James Maddison are favorites to form the midfield trio, though Pape Matar Sarr could provide additional energy, and Archie Gray remains an option after featuring as a No.6 in the defeat to Fulham before the international break.
Wilson Odobert, fresh off an impressive showing for France’s Under-21s, is expected to start on the right wing ahead of Brennan Johnson, Mathys Tel, and Mikey Moore, while Heung-min Son and Dominic Solanke will complete the front three.
Romero and van de Ven’s return as a defensive partnership will be crucial, given both were forced off with injuries in the dramatic 4-3 loss to Chelsea earlier in the season. Romero endured a three-month spell on the sidelines with a thigh injury, while van de Ven briefly returned in January before making further appearances against Bournemouth and AZ Alkmaar last month.
Tottenham – Predicted Lineup (4-3-3)
- Goalkeeper – Vicario
- Defenders – Porro, Romero, Ben Davies, Udogie
- Midfielders – Bentancur, Sarr, Maddison
- Forwards – Son, Johnson, Solanke
Chelsea vs Tottenham: Prediction
Neither team heads into Thursday’s showdown in top form, but Chelsea hold the upper hand in recent meetings, having secured three consecutive victories over Tottenham. Their dramatic 4-3 win in December was a testament to their dominance in this fixture, though they will be aiming for a more controlled performance at Stamford Bridge this time.
The returns of Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, and Noni Madueke offer a timely boost to Chelsea’s attack, which has struggled for fluency in recent weeks. Meanwhile, Tottenham’s defensive vulnerabilities remain a concern, making them susceptible to conceding.
While it promises to be a closely contested battle, the home side appears well-positioned to edge out Spurs and claim a vital three points.
Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham
When and Where To Watch The Chelsea vs Tottenham Match LIVE? Broadcast and Streaming Details
The Premier League 2025 clash between Chelsea and Tottenham is set to begin at 12:30 AM IST on Friday, April 4, at Stamford Bridge, London. The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports network and will also be available for live streaming on JioHotstar.
Read More: Viktor Gyokeres: Arsenal Intensify Pursuit of Man Utd Target After Sporting Director Appointment
FAQs
What is Chelsea’s recent record against Tottenham?
Chelsea have won their last three matches against Tottenham, including a dramatic 4-3 victory in December.
Which key players are returning for Chelsea?
Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, and Noni Madueke are back in contention, boosting Chelsea’s attacking options.
How has Tottenham performed in London derbies this season?
Spurs have struggled, earning just 10 points in Premier League London derbies—the joint-lowest tally alongside Brentford.
Who are the key absentees for Tottenham against Chelsea?
Tottenham will be without Dejan Kulusevski, Kevin Danso, Radu Dragusin, and Richarlison, who is back in training but not fit to play.
Can Son Heung-min break his assist drought against Chelsea?
Son has never provided an assist in 17 Premier League matches against Chelsea, but with nine assists already this season, he could set a new personal record.
