The newest instalment in one of many Premier League’s fiercest rivalries occurs on Sunday as Chelsea tackle Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.
It’s made all of the extra tasty by the very fact it’s Frank Lampard vs Jose Mourinho – the 2 stepping into an on-pitch conflict when Chelsea confronted Spurs within the Carabao Cup earlier this season.
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It’s understood the pair’s relationship shouldn’t be as harmonious because it was when Lampard performed beneath Mourinho at Chelsea because the Portuguese denied him a correct farewell throughout his second spell in command of the Blues.
Each side have made constructive begins to the season, too, with Tottenham unbeaten since struggling a defeat on the opening weekend, whereas Chelsea’s solely defeat got here of their second match of the season.
Spurs are prime of the Premier League going into the weekend, whereas Chelsea are two factors behind them so anticipate it to be a extremely charged conflict between two prime sides.
talkSPORT.com has taken a have a look at the important thing battles you might want to look out for and the place the conflict might be gained and misplaced.
Hakim Ziyech vs Sergio Reguilon
He grew to become one thing of a forgotten signing having nursed an harm at first of the season, however Ziyech has made up for misplaced time.
The previous Ajax man is a ahead however has given Chelsea an additional dimension along with his gorgeous passing imaginative and prescient. He’s even earned comparisons to Kevin De Bruyne and former Chelsea duo Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas.
So it’s essential to chop off the Ziyech provide line and whereas Tottenham’s midfielders will do what they’ll to shut him down, that duty will fall totally on Reguilon’s shoulders.
Reguilon has settled in effectively at Spurs and helped stifle the likes of Manchester City pair Riyad Mahrez and Bernardo Silva so conserving Ziyech quiet is feasible.
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Mason Mount vs Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg
Each of those gamers are one of many first names on the crew sheets of their respective managers.
Mount is definitely extra attack-minded than Hojbjerg however it’s the England worldwide’s work off the ball which is essential to Chelsea’s success.
That’s the place Mount and Hojbjerg’s video games are related and don’t be shocked if each gamers are tasked with marking one another all through the conflict. Whoever comes out on prime on this battle might decide which aspect has extra pleasure in midfield.
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Tony Cascarino praises Mason Mount after spectacular efficiency towards Rennes and says Chelsea look nice all around the pitch
N’Golo Kante vs Tanguy Ndombele
It’s probably Mourinho will set Spurs up in an identical technique to their win over Man City final weekend, that means Ndombele would play in a barely extra superior midfield position.
Ndombele is in terrific kind and his good capability on the ball and athleticism will hyperlink the Spurs midfield and the forwards effectively when constructing assaults.
Kante’s major process is to cease the opposition constructing assaults and thus his no.1 mission might be to cease Ndombele. Succeed on this endeavour and it might be a really lengthy match for Spurs’ forwards.
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Thiago Silva and Kurt Zouma vs Harry Kane and Heung-min Son
However essentially the most intriguing battle is definitely between Spurs’ two essential forwards in Kane and Son and the Chelsea centre-backs.
Few have been in a position to comprise the dynamic duo, who’ve scored 16 of Spurs’ 21 league targets between them this season.
Son scored towards Man City whereas Kane was toying with Pep Guardiola’s defence at factors within the 2-Zero win.
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This might have been an enormous trigger for concern for Lampard final season however new signing Silva and Zouma have an excellent understanding collectively and are a way more competent outfit on the again this time period.
They’ll need assistance from the likes of Kante particularly when Kane drops deeper to gather the ball and provides it to Son and Steven Bergwijn.
That is the place the competition might be gained and misplaced.
