Premier League: Chelsea v Tottenham match preview

A look ahead to tonight’s Premier League fixture at Stamford Bridge

After the game the Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas said his team's chase for a Champions' League place now “depends on [the] results of our rivals” (Getty Images)

Chelsea entertain Tottenham at Stamford Bridge in a London derby that will have repercussions of the upmost importance for the two clubs.

With a win over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, the Blues look in good shape to cement their top four position, and a win tonight will near guarantee their place in the Champions League next season.

Victory for the away side will lift Tottenham into fourth spot above Arsenal and behind Chelsea on goal difference. And Spurs will be relishing their chance to get revenge on the European Champions after they were deprived of a Champions League place thanks to Chelsea’s win in Munich last year.

Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas will also want his share of retribution, as he searches for his first win over the Blues since being axed by the club back in March last year. 

Both sides are in good form, each having lost just once in the past month, and it should prove to be an exciting game for the neutral.   

KICK-OFF: Wednesday, 7.45pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Tottenham 2 (Gallas, Defoe) Chelsea 4 (Cahill, Mata 2, Sturridge), Premier League, October 2012.

Tottenham 1 (Bale) Chelsea 5 (Drogba, Mata, Ramires, Lampard, Malouda), FA Cup semi-final, April 2012.

Chelsea 0 Tottenham 0, Premier League, March 2012.

STATS…

The last two meetings between these sides have produced 12 goals.

Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez has won 57 per cent of his Premier League games in charge of Chelsea, compared to Roberto Di Matteo’s 52 per cent with the same number of games.

The last time Chelsea lost at home was against Swansea in the Capital One Cup in January.

Tottenham’s last away win came at the Liberty Stadium against Swansea.

Tottenham have not won at Stamford Bridge since February 1990.

ODDS…

Chelsea to win: 1.90 (10/11)

Tottenham to win: 4.00 (3/1)

Draw: 3.60 (12/5)

TV: Live on Sky Sports 1, highlights on Sky Sports 1 at 12.45am (Thursday).