As always this is a hugely anticipated London Derby, but this game really could end the season`s dreams for one or both sides tomorrow.
One win in seven Prem games for Spurs has given City a huge advantage of four points, and with a home tie between the two sides and an easier run in, only a mini miracle would give Spurs another top four place if they lose to Chelsea and can we really expect West Ham to get anything against City on Sunday?
Aside from an inability to beat Man Utd in the Champions league, Chelsea are on pretty good run, even if they are not always at their best, with only one defeat (Liverpool (H)) since January the 5th, so any hangover from their terrible pre Christmas run would appear to be well and truly over, but it would equally appear that Tottenham have more problems dealing with the relegation threatened sides than they do against the better teams and in a game that Chelsea must also win to retain their own slim hopes of overhauling United, Spurs will feel they have a chance in a game that could be very open or equally one where both teams feel the pressure, though if it were the latter, you feel Chelsea have the better big game experience.
Spurs will be without Benoit Assou-Ekotto, perhaps for the rest of the season, which you assume will mean a spell in defence for Gareth Bale, but again who and how Harry sets his side out is becoming slightly less clear, but is this merely transition or indecision on his part?
Again we wonder whether we will see us start with two strikers and use Van der Vaart from the right? Will Aaron Lennon take the place of Bale on the left or will we perhaps see Steven Pienaar get a chance to play in front of the fans who could well have been chanting his name? Other options are of course that we use a midfield three of Sandro, Hudd and Modric, leaving Van der Vaart free to roam behind two strikers and it will also be interesting to see whether Younes Kaboul gets another start over Vedran Corluka at full back.
Far from rejoicing in the wonderful options at Harry`s disposal, I actually feel uncomfortable that instead of seeing Spurs looking more settled as a unit, we appear to be more fragmented and there is less clarity in selection. Not in my opinion something that is caused by great or even terrible performance, but what would seem to be based upon Harry being caught between formations and certain player selections, which for me is a worry for the future, but perhaps I am over reacting to one win in ten games in all competitions and that an unconvincing win against Stoke.
In fairness Spurs haven`t played badly, but have thrown away points that would have otherwise kept us very much in the hunt for the top four, but despite disappointing results, some of the football playing against West Ham Stoke and Arsenal in particular, was excellent at times and was certainly deserving of more reward.
Chelsea are pretty much injury free after it was confirmed that Ramires, Essien and Alex would all be available and it is perhaps only who Carlo Ancelotti plays in attack that is up for serious debate. Will we see the hinted at Drogba/Torres partnership tried again or will one be stuck on the bench? Spurs will be without Hutton and Palacios (both knee), Khumalo (foot), Woodgate (calf) as well as BAE (hamstring), whilst there are doubts over the fitness of Corluka (foot) and Ledley King who for me would at best get a place on the bench, should we struggle with defenders or even numbers, as even if he is injury free, his match fitness must be a real worry, especially in such a vital game.
Clearly Spurs can win this, but a draw will potentially end both teams seasons. Also for Spurs defeat and a Liverpool win at home to Newcastle will drop them down to 6th in the table and despite having a game in hand the initiative for even 5th place will be in the hands of a rival which will be a massive kick in the teeth for Tottenham and this result really will make or break theirs and others seasons...
