Chelsea host London rivals Tottenham in the biggest game of this Premier League weekend in a game that will go quite some way to determining who will be in the Champions League next season.
Spurs have improved again this campaign, and would go eight points ahead of the Blues with a victory; a gap that would surely prove insurmountable with just seven league matches left.
However, while Chelsea have struggled for much of this season and have fallen way short of the levels that saw them become champions last season, a win in this one would take them to within two points of Pochettino’s side.
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Spurs have not won at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League era and that might well play on the mind of a side who have struggled against the big boys this term as well.
Ahead of the match, FootballFanCast have put together one combination of the best players from both sides.
Utilising a 3-4-3 formation, that felt the fairest as both sides have played it in the past, there are seven representatives of one side and only four of the other. But which side comes out on top? Take a look…
It’s a tough choice to start off with. Thibaut Courtois and Hugo Lloris will both head to this summer’s World Cup as first-choice goalkeepers for their respective countries and are among the world’s best.
Lloris just about gets the nod because Courtois has dropped off quite substantially this season, to the extent that some Blues fans want Willy Caballero to get more gametime.
He has a slight weakness at his near post, but brings leadership, good distribution and speed off his line. He is vital to this Spurs side but may need to be at his best this weekend.
Right-wing-back is probably the weakest position in this side, but Trippier beats Serge Aurier, Davide Zappacosta and Victor Moses here.
With Gary Cahill and David Luiz miles away from last season’s form, the central defensive trio is an easy pick. Azpilicueta and Vertonghen have both enjoyed impressive seasons yet again, while Alderweireld is arguably the most talented centre-half in the league.
Last term, Danny Rose would have run Alonso very close but this time around Ben Davies is the nearest challenger. He’s not in the Spaniard’s league, however. The former Bolton man won the reverse fixture this season with a sumptuous free-kick that has become something of a trademark, to go with his boundless energy and strong defending.
This midfield duo has the lot; pace, athleticism, the ability to win the ball but also to use it to go forward and hurt teams.
Kante is the division’s best holding midfielder – and possibly the world’s best – while Dembele has rediscovered his form in the second part of the season.
The Belgian comes alive in the big matches so the battle between the pair could be an epic on Sunday. Whoever comes out on top will take a massive step towards their side winning the match.
Eriksen netted twice in Spurs’ last match against Swansea, stepping up in the absence of the injured Kane and he will fancy his chances of continuing that hot form against the Blues.
The Dane would move in from the right in this team, with Hazard cutting in from the left. Chelsea are not in great form generally but if there is one man capable of dragging them out of that funk, it’s Hazard.
Antonio Conte will be relieved that he does not have to make plans for Kane as he is easily the best striker in both camps. Even Alvaro Morata was reportedly put off joining Spurs in the summer because he would not dislodge Kane.
