EPL Sunday Preview: United to Stuff City, Spurs' Chelsea Hoodoo To Continue

Christopher Potter by Correspondent Written on September 20, 2009
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 06:  New Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti faces the media during a press conference at Stamford Bridge on July 6, 2009 in London, England.  (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Chelsea welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Stamford Bridge this afternoon in confident mood, following five wins from five matches in the League to date this season, including a spirited win at the virtually impregnable Britannia stadium last time around.

Harry Redknapp's men have also started brightly, despite eventually succumbing to Wayne Rooney's brilliance in last weekend's 3-1 home defeat to the defending Champions.

While Tottenham's form against Chelsea has improved significantly recently—they are unbeaten in their last four meetings with their London rivals—they still have not beaten them away from home in the league since 1990.

If Chelsea secures three points today, they will set a new club record of 11 consecutive Premier League wins.

They are likely to be without Joe Cole again, as well as new boy Yuri Zhirkov, Deco, Alex, and Paolo Ferreira.

Tottenham will be looking to get back to winning ways, and continue their fine start to the season, which has seen them score 17 goals from six games, including five at both Hull City in the League and Doncaster Rovers in the League Cup. Conversely, they have yet to keep a clean sheet.

Speaking before the game, manager Redknapp has insisted that his squad's natural attacking instinct will be key to securing a result, rather than keeping Chelsea out at the other end. Despite this bullish statement, he will hoping that a much maligned Ledley King has a strong showing.

The other key battles will see Wilson Palacios, slightly jaded and below-par last weekend, sparring with Frank Lampard in midfield, and Aaron Lennon will looking to exploit the space left by Ashley Cole's offensive forays, and ensure that Cole is constantly reminded of his defensive duties.

Tottenham sorely missed Luka Modric's ability to unlock defences with intelligent movement and passing, and Chelsea should be too strong for Tottenham again.

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written on September 20, 2009 Preview/Prediction

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