Paul Merson is predicting a stalemate when Chelsea host London rivals Spurs at Stamford Bridge on Sunday evening.

The Sky Sports pundit believes that the two teams will care more about not losing the game than trying to secure the win due to the importance of the fixture:

“If either team loses this match, it’s a massive step in the wrong direction. Neither Chelsea nor Tottenham Hotspur can afford to suffer defeat this weekend, and I think this game will end in a draw.”

Merson has gone with a 1-1 scoreline, which is a reasonable prediction, considering the two sides are pretty evenly matched, but he is forgetting the Blues’ excellent record against Antonio Conte’s side last season.

All four encounters were won by Chelsea, with manager Thomas Tuchel seemingly able to find ways to counteract Tottenham’s main threats in attack.

Of course, there have been plenty of changes over the summer and, following the Blues’ rather unconvincing win over Everton last weekend, Merson is probably right to say that this game will be a tightly contested affair. You would still back Tuchel’s men to come out on top, though, mainly due to the fact they are at home.