Chelsea travel to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon for Enzo Maresca's first taste of this particular London derby.
The Blues cross the capital confident after four successive victories, including that of Wednesday evening. 5-1 against Southampton, reduced to ten putting them seven points behind table leaders Liverpool. Maresca's men continue to impress in the Italian's first season at the helm and can move 11 points clear of Spurs with victory in north London.
Chelsea triumphed twice in this match last season, including a memorable 4-1 victory over nine-man Tottenham on the road. The Blues have won four of their last five trips to Spurs and will be favorites to make it five of six on Sunday.
This is how Chelsea could queue for the trip to Spurs.
GK: Robert Sánchez – Despite the arrival of Filip Jorgensen in the starting XI on Thursday, Maresca confirmed that Sanchez remains number one. The Spaniard has been unconvincing this season and will be frequently tested by an attack-minded Spurs side.
RB: Malo Wants – Another injury to Reece James means Gusto's starting spot is secure for the festive period. The Frenchman has been in impressive form this season and was a handful for Southampton in midweek.
CB: Tosin Adarabioyo – Wesley Fofana's hamstring problem That means Chelsea's trio of backup center backs – Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi – will be fighting for minutes in the coming weeks.
CB: Levi Colwill – Colwill enjoyed a well-deserved midweek rest but will return to north London to do battle with fellow Cobham graduate Dominic Solanke. The Spurs striker is still a handful, although he has struggled to score goals in his last few outings.
CEO: Marc Cucurella – The only area of the pitch in which Chelsea find themselves a little poor in orthodox options is at left-back, with Cucurella having established himself as Maresca's go-to on the left side of defence.
DM: Moïses Caicedo – The Ecuadorian was compared to main defensive midfielders Rodri and Declan Rice by Maresca and is certainly competing at their level this season. He was exceptional at the base of midfield.
DM: Enzo Fernandez – Fernandez's form has been very impressive over the past month, with two goals and seven assists since the start of November. The Argentine has been extremely effective in Chelsea's midfield.
AD: Noni Madueke – Madueke was dropped against Aston Villa for his training ground performances but came back with a goal and an assist in the win over Southampton. The lively winger will aim to shine in north London against a leaky Spurs defence.
AM: Cole Palmer – Without being Chelsea's standout player in recent weeks, Palmer has still managed two goals and an assist in his last three matches. He is inevitable and scored at Tottenham last season from the penalty spot.
AG: Pedro Neto – After being rested midweek, Neto is expected to return to the starting XI in place of Joao Felix. The former Wolverhampton Wanderers winger could exploit Pedro Porro's defensive shortcomings.
ST: Nicolas Jackson – Jackson enjoys facing the Spurs. He scored four goals in two games with them last season, including a hat-trick at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Having been rested on Thursday, he is expected to be refreshed for a clash with an injured Tottenham defense.
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