Chelsea host Tottenham Hotspur with pressure ratcheting up in their push to seal a finish in the Premier League top four (or five) that will get them back into the UEFA Champions League next season. The race for qualification is tight, with just five points separating fourth-place Chelsea from Bournemouth in tenth.
Enzo Maresca's side come into this game on a decent run of form that's seen them win four of their last five matches in all competitions.
Spurs, meanwhile, are having a horrid season. Currently 14th, they are 15 points behind Chelsea and while relegation is not a realistic fear anymore, they have struggled for consistency. Ange Postecoglou's side have won only one of their last five (3L, 1D) and come into this London derby in desperate need of a morale-boosting result. Can they get a first win at Stamford Bridge since April 2018?
Ahead of Thursday's big game, here's everything you need to know.
Key details:
Date: Thursday, April 3 at 8:00 p.m. GMT (3:00 pm ET, 12:30 a.m. IST, 6:00 am AEDT ).
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
Referee: Craig Pawson
VAR: Jarred Gillett
How to watch:
The match is available to watch on Sky Sports in the UK, Peacock in the United States, JioHotstar in India and Optus Sport in Australia. You can also follow live updates on ESPN.
Team news:
Chelsea
Marc Guiu, F, hamstring, DOUBT
Nicolas Jackson, F, thigh, DOUBT (returned to training)
Cole Palmer, F, muscle, DOUBT (returned to training)
Noni Madueke, F, hamstring, DOUBT (returned to training)
Mykhailo Mudryk, F, suspended, OUT
Omari Kellyman, F, hamstring, OUT, estimated return mid-April
Tottenham Hotspur
Dejan Kulusevski, F/M, foot, DOUBT (to be assessed ahead of kickoff)
Kevin Danso, D, hamstring, DOUBT (to be assessed ahead of kickoff)
Richarlison, F, calf, DOUBT (to be assessed ahead of kickoff)
Radu Dragusin, knee, OUT for the season
Expected lineup:
Chelsea
GK Robert Sánchez
RB Reece James | CB Wesley Fofana | CB Levi Colwill | LB Marc Cucurella
DM Enzo Fernandes | DM Moisés Caicedo
RW Jadon Sancho | AM Cole Palmer | LW Pedro Neto
ST Nicolas Jackson
Tottenham Hotspur
GK Guglielmo Vicario
RB Pedro Porro | CB Cristian Romero | CB Ben Davies | LB Djed Spence
CM Pape Sarr | CM Rodrigo Bentancur | CM James Maddison
RW Brennan Johnson | CF Dominic Solanke | LW Heung-Min Son
Stats:
Chelsea have an impressive recent record against their fellow London side. Of the last 12 Premier League games against Spurs, they've won 9 and drawn 2 with just the 1 loss.
Historically too, Spurs are a favourite opponent for Chelsea. They've won more Prem games and scored more Prem goals (36 and 120).
Spurs have struggled in London derbies this season. No team has earned fewer points off London derbies (10, level with Brentford). They've lost 5, won 3 and drawn 1.
Spurs lost 8 away Prem games this season -- only relegation zone Leicester (10) and Southampton (12) have lost more.
Chelsea remains the only side Ange Postecoglou has faced and not picked up atleast a point against (in 3 attempts).
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