Can Spurs’ rampaging full-backs derail Blues’ title bid ?

Tottenham Hotspur have suffered just two defeats so far this season, a 1-0 loss at Old Trafford and a 2-1 reversal at Stamford Bridge in November against Wednesday’s opponents’ Chelsea.

Mauricio Pochettino’s men go into this game in fine form, though, having scored 4 goals away from home in successive matches.

Chelsea, meanwhile, will be looking for their fourteenth consecutive Premier League victory, as they bid to regain the Premier League crown they surrendered so tamely last season.

Team news & predicted starting line-ups for Spurs v Chelsea

In stark contrast to his opposite number Antonio Conte, Spurs’ boss Pochettino has been trying a number of new formations this season, with a 3-1-4-2 being the most recent.

Full-backs Danny Rose and Kyle Walker, Tottenham’s two highest rated players on WhoScored, have been bombing forward to devastating effect, while Keiran Trippier and Ben Davies have also filled in on occasions when called upon.

Conte is expected to go with his trademark 3-4-3 at White Hart Lane and it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that Pochettino will also opt for a 3-man defence.

Goal projections – Spurs 1.44 Chelsea 1.41

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Spurs fantasy player to watch

Pochettino has been talking up Dele Alli in recent weeks and the young England midfielder has certainly responded, putting in a couple of terrific performances.

The rest of the English Premier League title contenders will be hoping that he can produce the goods again, when Spurs entertain the Blues on Wednesday, to throw the title race wide open.

Spurs team news

Kyle Walker and Jan Vertonghen are both available again after completing their respective one-match suspensions.

Despite the impressive showing of Keiran Trippier, in Spurs’ 4-1 win at Watford, it would be a major surprise if Walker wasn’t recalled.

Predicted starting line-up for Spurs (vs Chelsea)

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Chelsea fantasy player to watch

Thibaut Courtois seems to have rediscovered his best form, after a somewhat indifferent spell last season but he will need to be at his best to repel the Tottenham attack.

Spurs are comfortably averaging more shots on target than any other side, so the Belgian goalkeeper is all but guaranteed a busy afternoon.

Chelsea team news

Nemanja Matić is expected to be preferred to Cesc Fàbregas in midfield, while Pedro is available again for the Blues after completing a one-match suspension and he may displace Willian as Chelsea’s right-sided attacker.

Record-chasing Marcos Alonso should shake off the knock he picked up at the weekend, meaning that Conte can play his favoured 3-4-3.

Predicted starting line-up for Chelsea (vs Spurs)

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Can Pochettino get the better of Conte to throw the title race wide open?