Opta Big Match Stats: Juan to settle Mata for Chelsea

 

They do not come any bigger than this London derby at Stamford Bridge with Champions League football on the line...

 

Tottenham have never won a Premier League match at Stamford Bridge in 20 visits; no side is currently on a longer run without victory at an opponent's ground than Spurs against Chelsea

In his brief tenure as Chelsea boss, Andre Villas-Boas did not find the Stamford Bridge furnishings particularly comfortable ones. Now, with his former employers in pole position to nudge his new Tottenham team out of the top four, the Portuguese must find a way to do what no other manager has done in 20 long seasons, and win on the Kings Road. However, this may well be beyond his Spurs' side considering their in-form hosts are currently searching for their seventh straight league win at the Bridge. Tottenham were well below par against Southampton, where only the Gareth Bale show rescued them again, following up a last-gasp point at Wigan when similarly sluggish. Meanwhile, victory for a Chelsea side riding high on that Old Trafford win will all but seal a top-four spot.

Recommended Bet: Back Chelsea to beat Tottenham @ 1.97

 

On only one occasion this season have Tottenham failed to score away from home in the league

Some of Tottenham's performances in front of the White Hart Lane faithful have smacked of a team struggling to cope with the pressure at times in recent weeks. However, when playing away from north east London, this Spurs side often cut loose the shackles and, armed with the perfect counter attacking tools, the goals seem to follow, if not always the desired results. The Lilywhites have struck exactly twice on each of their last three away league assignments before this trip across the capital. The reverse fixture produced a thrilling 4-2 win for Chelsea, who have also averaged exactly two goals in their last five Premier League games, so this one should see both keepers beaten.

Recommended Bet: Back Over 2.5 goals @ 1.78

 

Juan Mata has scored three times in his last two appearances against Tottenham in all competitions

Chelsea's diminutive Spaniard has been shortlisted for every award going this season but thanks to the man he'll line up against on Wednesday, Bale, Mata been unfortunate not to scoop any of them. The number 10 has so often been the creative spark in this Blues outfit and, although he has since been discredited with the winner against Manchester United on Sunday, he has been back to his early season string-pulling best in recent weeks. Mata seems to have an affinity with harming Tottenham hopes too, having struck twice in the space of three minutes during that win at the Lane earlier in the campaign.

Best Bet: Back Juan Mata to score @ 3.85

 

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