Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur Preview: A crucial match for both the teams

Tottenham head to Chelsea in a match that could have a big say on their respective seasons as the Premier League draws to a close.

Form guide:

Chelsea: WDWWWW

Tottenham: DDDWDD

Injuries:

Chelsea: None

Tottenham: Huddlestone, Palacios, Hutton, King, Woodgate, Assou Ekotto

The two sides now have differing aspirations in how they finish this season, with the Blues once again in the title hunt and Spurs now facing a battle to secure another season of top four football.
Just a few weeks ago, this clash could have been viewed as a face-off for fourth place, with the Blues out of form and seemingly heading towards the unthinkable of falling out of the UEFA Champions League places.
However, a run of seven wins out of eight now sees them once again as the only realistic challengers for Manchester United's lead, but the holders need to win all of their remaining games to stand a real chance of retaining their title.
Fernando Torres finally ended his infamous goal drought to net his first for his new club against West Ham last Saturday, and could now start alongside the in-form Didier Drogba.
Spurs are facing a real battle to reach Europe's premier competition with their league form poor of late, drawing five of their last seven matches and winning just one.
Harry Redknapp's side now trail Manchester City by four points, but Liverpool's renaissance means they are just three points ahead of the Reds in the final European spot with a game in hand.
Redknapp will know he must get some sort of result here to keep their top four hopes alive, but despite several rallying calls from players and the manager this week, the odds and form book is stacked against them.
In their last 18 league games at Stamford Bridge, Spurs have lost 12 and drawn six, with their last victory coming in 1990. However, Chelsea have won just one of their last six in this fixture.

Team news

Ancelotti looks set to almost have a full squad to choose from as he dispelled fears over Michael Essien (knee) and Ramires (hamstring), with the Brazilian midfielder back in the frame after missing the last three matches.
Fellow Brazilian Alex is also fit again after missing an identical amount of games after also suffering from a hamstring problem.
Redknapp will be without Tom Huddlestone, who is set to miss out after an ankle injury flared up, but Gareth Bale will appear fit to make a start after recovering from a knee problem.
Also doubtful are Vedran Corluka (ankle) and Niko Kranjcar (foot), whilst Benoit Assou-Ekotto is definitely out with a hamstring knock.
Ledley King, Wilson Palacios, Alan Hutton and Jonathan Woodgate will all miss the game through injury.

Possible starting XIs

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, David Luiz, Terry, Cole, Mikel, Essien, Lampard, Malouda, Torres, Drogba.
Tottenham: Gomes, Kaboul, Gallas, Dawson, Assou-Ekotto, van der Vaart, Huddlestone, Modric, Bale, Pavlyuchenko, Defoe.



Courtesy: skysports