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Football London
Football London
Sport
Chris Watson

'Masterclass' - Pundits make identical Chelsea v Tottenham predictions

Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur go head-to-head in what is surely the Premier League fixture of the weekend.

Jose Mourinho's Spurs take on Frank Lampard's Blues at Stamford Bridge on Sunday (4.30pm) - with both sides on good form.

Tottenham are top of the table going into the next round of games, just ahead of reigning champions Liverpool on goal difference. Chelsea are just two points behind in third place.

Spurs have won five games in a row in all competitions and have not lost in the league since the opening day defeat to Everton.

Last weekend, they produced an eye-catching 2-0 victory over last season's runners-up Manchester City.

Chelsea have won their last six outings in all competitions. Their only loss this term came against Liverpool on September 20.

So, who will come out on top when the London rivals face each other?

Christian Pulisic returns but will he start?

Mark Lawrenson

BBC Sport pundit Mark Lawrenson is predicting a narrow 2-1 win for Chelsea.

"Spurs put on a Jose Mourinho masterclass when they beat Manchester City last weekend," said former Liverpool defender Lawrenson.

"It was a great performance and they are playing well, but I do feel with Tottenham that they have to score first for that gameplan to be successful.

"Chelsea always seem to get a lot of goals - they are the highest scorers in the Premier League this season - and I am not so sure Spurs will keep them out."

Michael Owen

Former Liverpool and Manchester United striker Michael Owen has opted for the same outcome.

"I’m really looking forward to covering this one live," said Owen in his latest BetVictor blog. "It should be a cracker, but it’s so hard to call!

"One player that is standing out for me at Spurs right now is Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

"He’s exactly the type of player that Jose Mourinho likes in his side, and if he keeps playing well, I can see him earning more plaudits as the season progresses.

"With both these teams having such quality in attacking areas, I think there will be over 2.5 goals in the game, with Chelsea just shading it 2-1."

Paul Merson

Former Arsenal man Paul Merson believes this is a "big, big" game for both.

"These are the games," he said in his Sky Sports column. "If you sit back against this Chelsea team and give them 65 per cent of the ball? Are you going to be able to keep them out for that long? At the moment they have more firepower than Man City.

"This team has goals, and makes runs. This is a big, big football match.

"People will say there's a long way to go, but you need the points. These games give you an extra six or seven points because they keep your momentum rolling, they are big for confidence.

"It's a massive game. Believe me, these games make a difference over the course of a season. If Chelsea lose, you then ask whether you can win a title losing to Liverpool and Spurs at home?

"For Chelsea, you do not just want to become a flat-track bully. These are the big boy games.

"Tottenham can draw this game - it's a great result for them. It's more important for Chelsea to win, and important for Spurs just not to lose it. It's never too early for these big games."

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