Chelsea take on Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on Sunday – both sides in desperate need of a win, but for very different reasons. Chelsea hope to win their second game in the Premier League on the bounce, and climb the table towards the top end – whilst Spurs are aiming to keep their top 4 chances alive and keep the pressure on the league leaders.

Spurs are without midfielder Dele Alli, who is serving a one match ban for accumulating five bookings. Chelsea captain John Terry is a doubt for the game with an ankle injury, along with Ramires who has a muscle problem.

Cesc Fabregas is fit despite suffering a minor toe injury in midweek.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho had this to say on Spurs’ fixture list, which looks extremely difficult over the Christmas period:

“Big clubs, they cope with difficult moments. We played a Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid – Wednesday and Tuesday. In the middle we had to play Liverpool. So we play Sunday before the Champions League.
“If it’s not a problem for us, it’s not a problem for Tottenham.”

[Quotes via BBC Sport]

Mourinho also revealed that John Terry did not train on Friday and that the Blues only have a ‘little hope’ of him returning in time for Sunday’s game, all but ending the captain’s chances of playing a part.

Here’s how we think the Blues will line up against Spurs:

Begovic

Ivanovic – Zouma – Cahill – Azpilicueta

Matic – Fabregas

Willian – Hazard – Pedro

Costa