Kickoff time: 8:30 PM, Sunday
Things couldn't get more intense for Chelsea as they host Tottenham at Stamford Bridge on Sunday night. They are 5 points adrift off the last Champions League spot which is currently occupied by none other than their adversaries this weekend.
The pressure is mounting on Antonio Conte to deliver after crashing out of the UEFA Champions League against Barcelona in the Round of 16 just last month.
The match has a lot of significance as it could effectively secure a top 4 spot for Tottenham or it could spur a late surge from Chelsea which could see them overtake Tottenham and qualify for the Champions League next season.
Tottenham Hotspur will be desperate for a win themselves and as the battle between two of London's fiercest rivals heat up, Spurs will know that the odds are stacked up against them. Mauricio Pochettino's men haven't won against Chelsea in the league at Stamford Bridge since 1990.
To add to the the list of things that are not exactly blowing wind to their sails, Spurs' star man Harry Kane is very likely to miss out with an injury.
Team news and key players
Thibaut Courtois is a doubt for Chelsea after picking up a hamstring injury. Andreas Christensen is also likely to miss out due to muscle fatigue. Danny Drinkwater and Ross Barkley remain out of contention due to injuries.
Ethan Ampudu is out for the season after picking up an ankle fracture.
Meanwhile, Eden Hazard and Willian will be the main men for Chelsea. The latter, in particular, has been in excellent form and has been a thorn in the flesh for all the oppositions that Chelsea have come up against in the recent past.
As for Tottenham, Harry Kane and Harry Winks will miss out. Though Pochettino has said that Kane might return for the match, it looks very unlikely. Toby Alderweireld could make a return for the Lilywhites as he featured for Belgium over the week in the international friendly against Saudi Arabia.
Son Heung-Min and Moussa Dembele are expected to be the difference makers for Mauricio Pochettino's men on Sunday. Dembele's control over the midfield realms and Son's pace and composure in attack is what Tottenham will hope will give them the edge over their city rivals.
