Premier League leaders Chelsea entertain London rivals Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge in the standout fixture in the top flight on Saturday evening at Stamford Bridge, and these are the key battles that are likely to decide this eagerly anticipated contest in the capital ….
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Eden Hazard v Kyle Walker
The little Belgium playmaker has been tearing up opposition back fours for fun of late, and the north London club know that if they are to stand any chance whatsoever of coming away from Stamford Bridge unbeaten, then they will need to keep a watchful eye on the youngster at all times on Saturday evening.
And that enormous responsibility is set to fall on the shoulders of England international right-back Kyle Walker, subject to the defender passing a fitness test prior to kick-off that is, although if anyone has the pace and ability to subdue the Blues’ playmaker, then the visitors’ full back is that man.
John Terry v Emmanuel Adebayor
This should be an absolutely fascinating contest and also one that may ultimately prove pivotal to the outcome of the match.
The west London club’s skipper has been in brilliant form at the heart of the Blues’ back four all campaign long to dispel the doubts that had begun to grow last season about the veteran’s form and fitness.
Meanwhile, Spurs’ lanky Togolese front man has appeared a man reborn under new manager Tim Sherwood, with the former Arsenal attacker having been restored to the club’s front line in the aftermath of Andre Villas-Boas’s dismissal at White Hart Lane last December.
And boy has Adebayor rewarded Sherwood’s faith in him, although his greatest test comes on Saturday as he tries to get the better of Chelsea’s imposing centre back.
Fernando Torres v Michael Dawson
The misfiring Spain international is expected to replace Samuel Eto’o in attack for the Premier League leaders at Stamford Bridge on Saturday after missing out in La Roja’s friendly international win over Italy in Madrid in midweek, while the experienced Cameroon international played the full 90 minutes against Portugal.
And what a great opportunity it will be for the striker to try and nail down a regular starting berth in the Chelsea lineup between now and the end of the campaign by helping the home team to a victory over their fierce rivals from across the capital.
But it will not be easy though for the Spaniard, who is going to have to get the better of Spurs skipper Michael Dawson, a centre back who loves nothing better than the art of defending and if anyone is going to be throwing his body on the line for the team cause at Stamford Bridge this weekend, then it will be Dawson.
Cesar Azpilicueta v Andros Townsend
Spain international right-back Cesar Azpilicueta has been so effective playing as a makeshift left back for the Blues so far this season that Ashley Cole has been forced to spend most of the campaign warming the substitutes’ bench, with the former Marseille defender set to keep his place in the side once again for the visit if Spurs on Saturday.
And the man that Azpilicueta will be facing in west London is England winger Andros Townsend, a player with a bit to prove to the watching public at large after missing out to Liverpool wide man Raheem Sterling for England’s friendly international with Denmark at Wembley in midweek.
However, expect the Tottenham flyer to be all pace and directness when coming face to face with his opposite number in what is set to be a fascinating head-to-head battle.