Chelsea vs. Tottenham: How the Blues Should Line Up in London Derby

As a football fan you know you're spoiled when draws seem like losses—Chelsea supporters can relate.

After dropping points to Sunderland on Saturday, there was an air of disappointment on the Blues' faces, but taking into account they are six points clear of second-place Manchester City, 11 points clear of fourth place and still unbeaten, those gloomy dispositions will have evaporated with one glance at the Premier League table.

The points available at Sunderland's Stadium of Light cannot be redistributed but, forever looking forward, Jose Mourinho and Co. know three points vs. Tottenham Hotspur are surely obtainable tomorrow evening at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea's 5-0 drumming of Schalke 04 in the Champions League last week made Mourinho's team choice ahead of the Black Cats an easy task: Send the same team out—hope for the same result. While they did not play abjectly, the Blues failed to break down a stubborn side, so automatic places should not be so forthcoming vs. Spurs.

To further this point, Mourinho must navigate eight matches in three competitions this December, so squad rotation should be a top priority.

Which Formation Is Best?

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Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has begun to realise Harry Kane is a serious footballer. The 21-year-old has scored nine goals in 16 appearances this season, and has made himself almost undroppable for the Argentinian manager.

In Jose Mourinho's first spell as Chelsea boss, playing with two front men was prevalent in English football. The dominate forces in England—Manchester United and Arsenal—both had revolving doors of world-class striking partnerships, but the Portuguese boss took the Premier League by storm playing 4-3-3.

When matched against the ubiquitous 4-4-2, Mourinho's 4-3-3 gave Chelsea an advantage in midfield, especially with Claude Makelele rarely crossing into enemy territory.

Instead of playing 4-4-2 vs. 4-4-2, where full-backs tend to have space, 4-3-3 vs. 4-4-2 gives one centre-back freedom—and having an extra man in midfield—the Blues exploited this time over, breaking the Premier League's point record in 2004/05 with 95, en route to winning back-to-back domestic crowns and six trophies overall.

Flash forward 10 years and 4-2-3-1 is the king of England. Rarely do teams play 4-4-2, because the formula to solve the problem is well known. Chelsea have lined up 13 times in the 4-2-3-1 this season—they have played 13 games.

Facing a team willing to play two strikers up top, Mourinho must be willing to change his tactical arrangement for the man advantage in midfield—should Pochettino play 4-4-2 with Kane playing just behind Roberto Soldado or Emmanuel Adebayor.

Defence

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Planning ahead for an arduous winter schedule, Branislav Ivanovic might see the bench, as Cesar Azpilicueta rested after his disciplinary suspension in November.

Summer's £16 million left-back acquisition, Filipe Luis, fits well into this Chelsea side, and would not destroy any rhythm against Tottenham. Having the ability to track runners, while aiding his winger in attack is undoubtedly advantageous for Jose Mourinho's back four.

John Terry and Gary Cahill's partnership in central defence is as automatic as the sun coming out; and Petr Cech will likely see the bench, as Thibaut Courtois looks in firm command between the Stamford Bridge goalposts.

Midfield

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The key man in a 4-3-3 would be Nemanja Matic.

Reprising the "Makelele Role," Matic would need to remain positionally disciplined whilst disrupting any attack Spurs' midfield launches.

Oscar would be rested in favour of his Brazilian compatriot Ramires, who represents Chelsea's best box-to-box option.

Willian and Eden Hazard would flank the formation, waiting for either opportunities on the break or connecting with their respective full-backs when Chelsea control possession.

Striker

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Diego Costa, after his flailing arm connected with Wes Brown's face on Saturday, will be suspended for the London derby due to yellow-card accumulation. The Spanish brute could do with a rest one might imagine, as the Christmas schedule will be uncharted territory for the red-hot summer signing.

A man well acquainted with English football and Tottenham Hotspur, in particular, is Didier Drogba.

In his last game vs. Spurs, the Ivorian tore the north Londoners apart at Wembley Stadium in the 2012 FA Cup semi-final; though 36 years old, the Chelsea legend still has something left in his tank and after missing one London derby vs. Arsenal, this clash against Tottenham will have to do.

Comments Section: Who Ya Got?

@danieltiluk // Bleacher Rerport's Formation Builder

Roman Abramovich has provided so many world-class options to nominate, and Jose Mourinho has a bevy of formations he can elect to use both before and during matches, so whichever combination one chooses looks fairly unbeatable.

"

#CFC haven't lost to Tottenham @ Stamford Bridge since 10 Feb 1990—Gary Lineker was the match winner. Law of averages or continued success?

— chelseaTALK (@ChelseaTaIk) December 1, 2014"

Feel free to drop your suggestions for Chelsea, and/or Tottenham, in the comments section. 

*Stats via whoscored.com; transfer fees via soccerbase.com where not noted.

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