Paul Merson and Chris Sutton have predicted that Chelsea will end their four-game winless streak in the Premier League with a victory over London rivals Tottenham. Spurs are set to welcome the Blues to north London on Sunday afternoon as Graham Potter looks to turn around his side's fortunes.
The west London outfit head into the blockbuster clash ten points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham, with eyes being cast over the manager's future as pressure continues to mount. "A positive one," Potter replied when asked the type of reaction he wants to see from his players after defeat to Southampton last week.
"We need a strong performance and we need three points. It's a fantastic game. I'll be missing Antonio [Conte] and I wish him a speedy recovery. It's a game we're really looking forward to, training has been really good, the response from the players has been really good. So we're looking forward to the game."
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It could be a clash that goes either way and may see a response from the Blues or a defiant win for Spurs once again. Pundits have taken their turn to attempt to predict how the outcome of the match may go, with the away side tipped to bounce back once again.
Paul Merson - Sportskeeda
In his column for SportsKeeda, former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson claims that Potter must make two key changes to the team to get a victory on the day. He wrote: "If Chelsea play the team that squared off against Southampton last weekend, they won't win the game against Spurs. If Potter goes back to his tried and tested system, the Blues will beat Spurs all day long.
"What I love about Potter is that he has looked after the club and the players before himself. He is under major pressure. He could have played Reece James and Thiago Silva last weekend because he has a job to keep. But what did he do? He didn't want to risk injuries for those players and chose to leave them out
"He has looked after them. He could have chosen not to protect those players but he opted to look at the bigger picture. I think he needs to be given until next Christmas and afforded a proper pre-season with this team. If it doesn't work out by Christmas, then even he'll understand it's best to part ways.
"Tottenham are in the FA Cup, they're in the Champions League and they are in the top four in the Premier League. We're sitting thinking that Spurs are blowing hot and cold. But the fact is that they blow hot more often than they are cold. They've got Harry Kane. He is a big difference-maker for them.
"This is the starting XI I hope Potter goes with: Kepa, Reece James, Ben Chilwell, Benoit Badiashile, Thiago Silva, Enzo Fernandez, Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, Raheem Sterling, Kai Havertz and Joao Felix. If this team plays, they will beat Tottenham 3-0. If he plays Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke, they won't beat Spurs."
Score prediction: Tottenham 0-3 Chelsea
Chris Sutton - BBC Sport
Singing from the same hymn sheet, Chris Sutton predicted a 2-1 win to Chelsea amid concerns that the home side will crumble in a huge game. The former Blackburn Rovers striker said in his BBC Sport predictions: "What a game this is. Chelsea's record against Tottenham is excellent - they have won more Premier League games against them than any other opponents (33), and have taken 20 points from the past 24 available in this fixture, but it all counts for little here.
"Chelsea boss Graham Potter really needs a win on Sunday because I think Blues fans are at tipping point and would not stand for losing to their bitter rivals. I actually admire Chelsea owner Todd Boehly for sticking with Potter so far but, just like at West Ham, that will change if his results don't improve.
"This Chelsea team just can't score goals though, while Tottenham are doing all right at the moment, with the old Harry Kane and Son Heung-min double act working again. It all points to a Tottenham win but they have been very inconsistent - or 'Spursy' - this season and I just have a feeling this might be the day where things go Potter's way for once."
Score prediction: Tottenham 1-2 Chelsea
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