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Can Mauricio Pochettino end Tottenham's dream start on his return to North London with Chelsea?
Mauricio Pochettino will be taking his Chelsea side in transition to Tottenham Hotspur, a side he will face for the first time since he was sacked a little over four years ago in what is sure to be a high-stakes game.
Spurs maintained their first-place position by overcoming Crystal Palace 2-1 in their last league match, while the Blues overcame Blackburn Rovers 2-0 in midweek to reach the EFL Cup quarter-finals.
Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou will seek to become just the third Premier League tactician to traverse his first 11 games unbeaten after Frank Clark and Maurizio Sarri as he eyes Chelsea’s scalp.
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23:50 - 05.11.2023
I want to stay at Chelsea until I die — Pochettino reveals ahead of Tottenham clash
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino reveals his intent to stay at Chelsea for the rest of his career.
Scoring twice in each of their four home victories this season while also conceding a mere two goals along the way, Tottenham will also endeavor to string together a five-game winning run in the Premier League for the first time since December 2018; there are no prizes for guessing who led Spurs on that stellar streak.
Pochettino's departure from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium could certainly be described as bittersweet - a poor run of results saw Daniel Levy pull the trigger only months after the Argentine collected a Champions League runners-up medal - but his Lilywhites homecoming should only be warmly welcomed by all present.
Chelsea's recent meetings with London foes have left a lot to be desired, though, as after throwing away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Arsenal, the Blues were left to rue 90 minutes of profligacy against West London neighbours Brentford, who struck twice on the counter through Ethan Pinnock and Bryan Mbeumo to make it three Stamford Bridge wins on the bounce.
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10:47 - 12.10.2023
FOOTBALL Ball boy kicked by Chelsea legend Eden Hazard now worth Ksh. 26.1 billion
The ball boy that Eden Hazard kicked back in 2013 in Chelsea’s loss to Swansea City has gone on to become filthy rich.
With their mini-revival being stopped in its tracks, 11th-placed Chelsea - who may also be demoted lower in the coming hours - cannot escape the doldrums of mid-table mediocrity, but some pride was restored with a last-16 EFL Cup success over Blackburn, who succumbed to Benoit Badiashile's side-footed finish and a sublime Raheem Sterling curler.
As the Blues' Stamford Bridge woes continue, the Chelsea faithful can take comfort in the fact that their side have taken seven points from their last three top-flight fixtures on the road, albeit against a trio of bottom-half teams in Fulham, Bournemouth, and newly-promoted Burnley.
However, Chelsea's February stopover at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium ended in a 2-0 beating - several months on from their explosive 2-2 Stamford Bridge draw - and one would pay a pretty penny for Pochettino's thoughts as he attempts to avoid leading the Blues to their 16th Premier League loss of 2023 at his former headquarters.
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12:45 - 05.11.2023
FOOTBALL David De Gea aims dig at Roy Keane after sarcastically telling Bruno Fernandes he ‘is not the right captain’
David de Gea told Bruno Fernandes "you are not the right captain" in what appeared to be a dig at Roy Keane.
Team news
Tottenham
Tottenham boss Postecoglou could be facing a quandary at left-back for Monday's capital showdown, as Destiny Udogie sat out the win over Palace with the knock he sustained against Fulham, while his replacement - Ben Davies - came off at half time with a blow to the ankle.
Postecoglou has conceded that Davies is unlikely to make the cut, but Udogie is at least progressing in his recovery and is in with a fighting chance of being involved; Emerson Royal should fill in as a makeshift left-back if neither man passes their late fitness tests.
Ivan Perisic (knee), Manor Solomon (knee), Alfie Whiteman (ankle) and Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring) remain on the treatment table as they recuperate from surgery, and Postecoglou also has a key decision to make in attack, as Brennan Johnson set up Son's strike against Palace only two minutes after replacing Richarlison.
Chelsea
Pochettino and Postecoglou can empathise over left-back concerns, as Ben Chilwell will spend a few more weeks recuperating from a thigh concern, while Romeo Lavia (ankle), Wesley Fofana (knee), Christopher Nkunku (knee), Trevoh Chalobah (thigh) and Carney Chukwuemeka (knee) will miss out too.
However, there is hope that Mykhaylo Mudryk will shake off his minor affliction in time to be involved, although Pochettino has conceded that Armando Broja (knee) should only make the bench at best, despite having a few days' worth of training under his belt.
The Blues head coach has also urged caution over Reece James, who was able to complete 61 minutes of the win over Blackburn, so Axel Disasi could potentially be deployed at right-back as Badiashile holds his central spot alongside the returning Thiago Silva.
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14:47 - 05.11.2023
FOOTBALL Chelsea manager Pochettino opens up about relationship with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy
Pochettino harbors respect for Levy and Spurs despite his sacking, embracing a new chapter as Chelsea's manager with professionalism.
Possible Spurs starting lineup: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Sarr, Bissouma; Kulusevski, Maddison, Johnson; Son
Possible Chelsea starting lineup: Sanchez; Disasi, Silva, Badiashile, Colwill; Fernandez, Caicedo, Gallagher; Palmer, Jackson, Sterling
Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
Chelsea have a good historical record against Tottenham Hotspur and have won 77 out of the 175 matches played between the two teams, as opposed to Tottenham Hotspur's 56 victories.
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13:08 - 31.10.2023
FOOTBALL ‘Biggest robbery in football history’ – Fans slam ‘unfair’ Ballon d’Or after Lionel Messi wins eighth award
A section of football fans have claimed Manchester City forward Erling Haaland as ‘robbed’ the Ballon d’Or award which was handed to Lionel Messi for the eighth time on Monday.
Tottenham Hotspur were on a winless run of eight matches against Chelsea in the Premier League before their 2-0 victory against the Blues in February this year.
Chelsea have won a total of 14 matches away from home against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League - only Manchester United have a better record in this regard in the competition.
Tottenham Hotspur have picked up 26 points from their first 10 matches in the Premier League this season - their best tally at this stage of the campaign since the 1960-61 season.
Chelsea have lost a total of 15 matches in the Premier League in 2023 - only one defeat fewer than they suffered in 2021 and 2022 combined.
Betting tip
Tip 1: Result - Tottenham Hotspur to win
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15:30 - 01.11.2023
Luis Diaz’s mother appears in public for the first time since kidnapping as hundreds take to the streets to demand dad’s release
Diaz’s father is yet to be released by kidnappers, which prompted his mother, supported by hundreds of fellow Colombians, to take to the streets in her support.
Tip 2: Game to have over 2.5 goals - Yes
Tip 3: Chelsea to score first - Yes
Tip 4: Son Heung-Min to score - Yes
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