Premier League: It Could be White Hot in North London!

Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea

Saturday teatime in the Premier League in North London under the floodlights can often create an extra spark of frisson.

Add in two teams who are rivals with a history of antagonism and the stage is set for Premier League 2025 highlights and a compelling encounter which could be played right on the edge.

 

Talking Points

The two sides had mixed results in the League Cup in midweek, although perhaps it’s best not to read too much into the respective results.

After an impressive 3-0 league success at Everton last Sunday, Spurs manager Thomas Frank made four changes but saw his side beaten 2-0 at holders Newcastle and would have been frustrated by the manner they conceded.

I expect Frank to bring back Joao Palhinha into midfield for this one along with likely starts for last weekend’s two-goal hero Micky van de Ven, Mohammed Kudus and, possibly, Randal Kolo Muani.

There is an extra resoluteness about Spurs I now see under Frank, first displayed when they came within minutes of lifting the UEFA Super Cup against European champions Paris St Germain on the eve of the new campaign.

Back to midweek and Chelsea fared better than their counterparts with a 4-3 win at Wolves, although it would probably be stretching it to say they convinced, four days after a surprise 2-1 home league defeat by newly promoted Sunderland.

Or perhaps they just eased up after racing into a 3-0 interval lead to all but sew up the tie.

Certainly, the likes of Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella, Enzo Fernandez, captain Reece James, goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and, fitness permitting, Joao Pedro, are all set to return to the starting XI for the trip to North London.

Yet the displays at Molyneux of talented youngsters Jamie Gittens and Brazilian teenager Estevao will have given manager Enzo Maresca optimism he has real game changers amongst the ranks of his second string.

Experience will be key in the white hot heat of a London derby but don’t be surprised if either of the above come off the bench to make a key impact.

 

History

After holding a hoodoo over Spurs for so long, Chelsea then struggled for a few years against their London rivals.

They have since regained the upper hand, including the last four, while Spurs have only won of their most recent 12 clashes.

That was in February 2023 when Oliver Skipp and Harry Kane were on target in a 2-0 win in North London.

That day, the sides were managed by Antonio Conte and Graham Potter – both departed their respective clubs just over a month later.

Earlier that season, I also remember covering the contest when Kane netted a stoppage-time equaliser in a thrilling 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge in which the post-match exchange between then Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel and Conte (formerly of Chelsea, of course) made the headlines.

Last season, this fixture produced a seven-goal thriller.

Spurs led 2-0 inside 11 minutes through Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski but by the time Son Heung-Min netted their third in the sixth minute of stoppage time, Chelsea were home n’ hosed.

Jadon Sancho gave them hope before two second-half penalties from Cole Palmer and a Fernandez goal fired them to a 4-3 success.

A Fernandez goal separated the sides in the return fixture in April to push Chelsea closer to Champions League qualification.

Overall, Chelsea have triumphed in 81 of their meetings with Spurs enjoying victory 56 times and 42 matches ending all square.

December 1909 was their first ever meeting in the then Division One at Stamford Bridge.

Goals from James Bradshaw and Jimmy Windridge gave the home team a 2-1 victory with William Minter scoring for Spurs.

 

Betting Tip

If you are bold enough to go for a repeat of last season’s meeting then you are in for a very tidy payday indeed as Correct Score 3-4 will pay out at a whopping @ 145.00.

If you are more conservative and expect either side to edge the contest, as Chelsea did at Stamford Bridge last term, then Correct Score 1-0 @ 10.00 and 0-1 @ 9.80 are too close to call.

Of course, a 1X2 Draw @ 2.25 seems a strong bet and has tempted me.

Chelsea are slight favourites with the SBOTOP Premier League 2025 betting odds and those bets include 1X2 @ 2.44 and Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 2.21.

Spurs, meanwhile, are priced Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 2.31 and 1X2 @ 2.57 – my *** tip as I feel the North Londoners will have enough to edge out their rivals, despite their home form being hit n’ miss so far.

Goal options abound with over 3.00 @ 2.21, total goal 0-1 @ 3.66, 2-3 @ 2.02 and 4-6 @ 2.91 all offering varying degrees of appeal.

   

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