Key Battles That Will Shape Tottenham vs. Chelsea
Tottenham Hotspur's meeting with Chelsea this Saturday pits former colleagues Andre Villas-Boas and Jose Mourinho against each other for the first time.
With their clubs sitting second and fourth respectively in the Premier League, even at this early stage of the season there are ramifications to the result.
Being the lunchtime kickoff, the winner will go top of the table for at least a couple of hours. The opportunity to assert some measure of superiority over a top-four rival may prove to be the more lasting reward.
Read on for the key battles that could well shape this London derby.
Dawson and Vertonghen vs. Torres or Eto'o
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Chelsea will provide an intriguing test to Tottenham's near impeccable defensive record so far this season (only one goal conceded in nine matches).
Spurs' central defensive pair of Michael Dawson and Jan Vertonghen have combined to neutralize the threat of most of the forwards they have faced. Only Arsenal's Olivier Giroud has found a way past them, with the Gunners capitalizing on miscommunication to pull their North London rivals' back line apart.
Blues boss Jose Mourinho has yet to settle on his preferred option up front. Based on their involvement over the last few games, it seems likely either Samuel Eto'o or Fernando Torres will be selected against Spurs.
Torres enjoyed a fine midweek outing in his team's 2-0 win over Swindon Town in the Capital One Cup, scoring one and setting up Ramires with a brilliant assist. In addition to his goal in the European Super Cup, it makes him the closest thing to a Chelsea striker in goalscoring form right now.
Dawson and Vertonghen might face more compelling individual battles with Torres. However it would not be a surprise if Mourinho stuck with the more nuanced Eto'o in an attempt to unsettle Spurs' shape.
The recent arrival from Anzhi Makhachkala has started each of Chelsea's last two league games.
His scoring ability has not yet come to the fore. What has, though, is his movement and willingness to try and stretch defenses across the width of the penalty area.
It is not the most glamorous function a striker performs, but it is one that definitely appeals to Mourinho. Especially as it helps to free up space for the following player...
Paulinho and Dembele vs. Oscar
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Oscar has been Chelsea's main man this season, certainly in the eyes of his manager.
"In this moment, Oscar is my No. 10 and, if somebody tells me that Oscar is not Chelsea's best player since the beginning of the season, I'd have to disagree," Mourinho argued prior to last weekend's game versus Fulham, as reported by The Independent's Matt McGeehan.
The Brazilian repaid his manager's faith with a goal in the 2-0 defeat of Fulham. At 22 he is not the finished article, but, undoubtedly, this earnest and creative attacker is already a heck of a talent.
His compatriot Paulinho has been impressing across London in the Tottenham midfield this season. Alongside Mousa Dembele, he is likely to be tasked with nullifying the threat of Oscar.
Dembele and Paulinho did not immediately hit it off as a partnership. But in the absence of the injured Etienne Capoue, they have gone about developing a nice rhythm and understanding between each other.
Both are almost equally effective attacking and defending. It is the latter quality that will likely take priority versus Chelsea.
Oscar is a tricky customer who will strive to get between them and their defense. Ideally, the Spurs midfield pair will want to deny him time and space in the first instance. There will be times that does not work though, and then they will need to be prepared to regroup and deal with him, and anything he might instigate.
The willingness of Dembele and Paulinho to get forward as part of their own team's attack should not be underestimated by Oscar. He will have others to support him should they break through. But as the first line of defense, he could do an important job in stopping them in their tracks early.
Soldado vs. Terry and Cahill
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As with his forward options, Mourinho has not been afraid to rotate in defense this season.
He has mixed and matched centre-backs David Luiz, Gary Cahill and John Terry. Having played against Fulham last weekend—and being less likely to lose concentration than the Brazilian—the latter pair would be a smart choice to face Tottenham's Roberto Soldado.
After beginning his Spurs career with four goals in three games, the Spain international has not found the back of the net in September.
That has mostly been to do with his team's ongoing attempts to establish an attacking identity this season. Wins in their last two leagues games suggest they are getting closer to doing so. Unfortunately for Soldado, he was not the one to take advantage of this improvement.
Nonetheless, his penalty box prowess has remained apparent in the form of his timing and ability to fashion space for himself. In the 1-0 win over Cardiff City last weekend he had a number of chances he might have scored from but for a fine display by their goalkeeper David Marshall.
Cahill and Terry must remain alert to this. Be it in Christian Eriksen looking to thread in a through ball, or one of Spurs' wide men looking to cut it back, given an inch of leeway Soldado is well capable of punishing unfocused defenses.
The Spaniard must be persistent as Terry especially is not prone to allowing a striker too many chances.
One of Europe's most prolific scorers facing off against a flawed, but still formidable defense—it has the makings of a fascinating battle.
Walker vs. Cole
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Andre Villas-Boas' main selection issues relate to who he fields out wide.
Gylfi Sigurdsson, Andros Townsend, Erik Lamela and Nacer Chadli have all staked decent claims to start on the flanks in midfield in recent games. Should Danny Rose not be fit in time, the manager also has to think about who he starts at left-back.
One position he does not have to give too much thought to is right-back. Kyle Walker is Tottenham's first choice there, and given his experience now operating down that side, the responsibility will be on him to command it in the face of stiff opposition.
He will likely face up against Eden Hazard directly, but the larger battle with his England teammate Ashley Cole could be just as telling.
Whoever Walker is paired with on Spurs' right flank, they face a significant challenge in trying to put Cole on the back foot without being exposed on the counter attack.
As already noted, a key supply line to Soldado is from the wings in crosses and cutbacks. Walker is the key to Spurs' potential success here as he can help his winger double team Cole.
The England left-back is no slouch and will not be easily isolated, or gotten past. Attempts to do as much will need to be carefully considered, with Walker being the judge in how and when any substantial pressure is applied.
He will need to be on his game defensively too. Cole will be working hard to do to Walker, what the Spurs man will try to do to him.
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