The winds of change have begun to affect the Premier League in some significant ways right now. There were times when Tottenham Hotspur were hardly counted as favorites against Chelsea, who happen to be one of their most prominent and fierce London rivals, and the Blues were always tipped for success ahead of the Whites. Whether it comes to facing Spurs in a game or finishing ahead of them in the table. And the city of London had three big clubs, out of which Chelsea were the biggest and Spurs were least prominent of those three.
But it has changed quite a bit over the past 1-2 seasons. Spurs have begun to push themselves to the top, especially this season where Mauricio Pochetinno’s side haven’t lost a game since their opening day defeat to Manchester United and lie 5th the league. On the other hand, Chelsea have endured a floundered season and are languishing at 15th in the table. People are tipping Spurs to make it to the top four ahead of struggling Chelsea, but it’s game at White Hart Lane that will decide who is the better force in London right now.
And here are three reasons why Spurs will emerge as the winners come Sunday.
Unpenetrable defense
As we often say “form goes out of the window” in games as big as this but this game may carry a tinge of prior form. Chelsea lack a bit of confidence to break down defenses like they used to last season, evident from the lack of swagger. And Spurs have the second-most meanest defense in the league, after Manchester United. This Spurs side is very unlike any of the past Spurs’ side we’ve seen take to the pitch.
Their defense is always organized and committed in their approach of not conceding. The pair Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld, who have had a very good relationship in the past is a product of that and Kyle Walker’s return to prominence is something has provided Spurs with more of that impetus of a hard working engine. Danny Rose has picked up from where he left off last season and has been just as impressive.
The emergence of Eric Dier in the holding midfield has been something of an extra incentive for Spurs as the Englishman has become a vital part of the Tottenham side. And rightly so, if Spurs’ defense performs the way it did against Arsenal, City or Liverpool, they will get the win.