Pundits predictions: Soccer Saturday's Phil Thompson, Charlie Nicholas and Matt Le Tissier on Tottenham v Chelsea
Ahead of Sunday's big game, Soccer Saturday's Phil Thompson, Charlie Nicholas and Matt Le Tissier give us their thoughts on Tottenham v Chelsea.
Phil Thompson
- Are there signs that Lampard is now being found out as a PL manager?
"I don’t think so - this is nothing surprising. This Chelsea team is still a very good team. I know they lost Eden Hazard and had the transfer ban, but it is still a very good squad no matter what.
"I think they will come back again, but it is far too early to be pointing the finger at Frank Lampard and his experience in the Premier League. It is not the Sky Bet Championship, but he is doing a great job nevertheless."
- Will Jose just be too experienced for him and Chelsea?
"Jose Mourinho has been about and can be classed a mercenary with his record. His heart may still be there but he will love to put one over on Chelsea, having been sacked twice from there.
"I think Jose will have Tottenham fired up. It is down to the two teams, and Tottenham have a little more confidence at this moment in time, so I think they will win this, but only just."
- How will both sides approach the match?
"Chelsea have not been at their best but they will have to up their game. Dele Alli is finding a bit of form now so the frontline of Lucas Moura, Heung-min Son, Harry Kane and Alli will have to be at their best too.
"Chelsea can only play one way. I can’t really see them sitting back and taking it easy. They might start up and be compact, but I expect them to give this a right go. It is a bigger game for Chelsea so they will be fired up as well."
- Who is more likely to win a trophy this season and which one?
"It is going to have to be Jose with Tottenham, it is what he does. They have only got the FA Cup and the Champions League to go at, so I would like to think it would probably be Jose out of the two.
"He would like to prove to everybody that he can win trophies still, no matter which one."
- What is your prediction for the score and scorers?
Tottenham 2-0 Chelsea (Sky Bet odds: 12/1)
Harry Kane (2)
Charlie Nicholas
- Verdict
"It is another cracker. When Jose Mourinho was manager, Chelsea could not breathe a result out of Tottenham, and now you have the opposite. It is a bit like Man City and Leicester. The ‘Special One’ against the intriguing one, or the potential one.
"Frank Lampard has done a great job thus far but Chelsea have been up and down as we expected. Inconsistency is a thing, but this will be the case with whatever he is trying to achieve, until they establish themselves a bit more.
"This will take a while, perhaps a season and a half with these players. Jose Mourinho is ruthless and that is the agenda for Tottenham right now. They are still in the Champions League but they are just wanting to win games in general.
"This was the reason Mourinho was signed and brought in, not for the Champions League, just for the Premier League, and results. If they try to force the game, Chelsea could pick them off.
"These will be two amazing games, but Lampard will be curious as to test Tottenham’s defence. With Willian, Tammy Abraham and Masson Mount you have lots of energy and lots of ways to exploit out wide, but I cannot separate them."
- What is your prediction?
Tottenham 2-2 Chelsea (11/1 with Sky Bet)
"This match will have heavy discipline problems within it, as it will be a real battle.
"Tottenham are trying to impress Jose Mourinho - of course Mourinho would like, especially with abuse he has received from the past by Chelsea, to turn them over. He will respect Frank Lampard, but not the issues that surrounded his exit at Chelsea.
"This will be feisty and I can see 60+ booking points and a red card in this."
Matt Le Tissier
- Are there signs that Lampard is now being found out as a PL manager?
"He had a terrific start, there are no two ways about it. There are always times when you will go through a sticky patch and that is what is happening at the moment.
"The Manchester City defeat was understandable, but the West Ham and Bournemouth games would have concerned Frank Lampard the most, losing both 1-0 while not creating enough opportunities to win the game.
"I watched the West Ham match on Soccer Saturday and after 25 minutes I thought it would be a struggle. Against a well organised team defensively, it has been a bit of a struggle for them, especially when they are at home and expected to make something of the game.
"The transfer market is an option for Chelsea and Frank needs to decide if there is enough in the squad for them to stay in the top four all season. Once he has assessed that, then he can do what he needs to rectify that and make the relative changes."
- Will Jose just be too experienced for him and Chelsea?
"I think with the experience Jose Mourinho has, you would think he could out-tactic Frank, who is a quick-learner and will come with a plan too. He will know what Jose’s thoughts and plan is to an extent, having played under him.
"The way Jose likes to play make it is an interesting game - I think it is going to be a fascinating contest. I think Jose will come out on top but I am sure Frank will have something up his sleeve."
- How will both sides approach the match?
"Tottenham will be expected to make runs at home, but the Chelsea forwards will create problems of their own and I expect goals in this one - I don’t think it will be a tight affair at all.
"Tottenham have the better forward players who could expose weaknesses at the back for Chelsea, which I imagine Frank will look to strengthen in summer, especially at left back.
"Reece James is going to be a very good player so they have that area covered, but they need reinforcements at the back."
- Who is more likely to win a trophy this season and which one?
"With Mourinho track record, you would want him to have a go at the FA Cup and I expect to see some strong Tottenham teams playing in this competition.
"I think they will have the best shot at winning that. There are too many strong sides in the Champions League but most certainly the FA Cup will be something Mourinho will be targeting."
- What is your prediction for the score and scorers?
Tottenham 3-2 Chelsea (22/1 with Sky Bet)
Kane (2), Son
Abraham, Pulisic
Alex Keble: Spurs v Chelsea
The timing of this fixture could hardly be better for Tottenham and could hardly be worse for Chelsea. Alex Keble looks into the tactics.
Odds correct as of 1500 GMT on 19/20/19
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