Chelsea go into this game hoping to boost their Champions League hopes after the somewhat unlucky defeat to Manchester City, while Tottenham need to show some improvement after yet another slip-up.

Even if some people doubted that club’s decision to sack Andre Villas-Boas would bring much needed improvement, Chelsea have undergone a genuine resurgence under caretaker boss Roberto Di Matteo.

The Blues recorded four straight victories to make it to Champions League quarter-finals and FA Cup semis, while beating Stoke at home to improve their top 4 hopes.

Following the good run of results, Chelsea were even expected to get something from their away game against Manchester City, but the Blues returned home empty handed despite taking the lead on the hour mark.

Roberto Di Matteo’s side are now presented with an excellent opportunity to close the five-point gap behind out-of-form Tottenham, and they are 1.91 (10/11) with 888sport to claim maximum points.

The hosts welcome back John Terry from a calf injury, with Branislav Ivanovic also expected to start despite picking up a thigh injury against City.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Cech – Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Cole – Ramires, Essien, Lampard – Sturridge, Drogba, Mata.

Not so long ago everybody was talking up Tottenham’s title chances as they battled bravely to keep up with the Manchester rivals, and just a month or so later, Spurs are fighting to stay in contention for Champions League places.

One point from four games is a record that would embarrass even relegation strugglers let alone one of the best sides in the Premier League, but, in all fairness, the players are not the only ones to blame for the dismal run of results.

The talk of Harry Redknapp taking over the national team probably disrupted the atmosphere in the squad, but Spurs, nonetheless, managed to outplay three of the four teams they faced during this period, and were very unfortunate not to have won any of those games.

Spurs are now just five points clear of fifth-place Chelsea, meaning they cannot afford to lose this game, and I see odds of 1.91 (10/11) offered by Paddy Power on Tottenham not to lose as decent enough.

Emmanuel Adebayor remains injury doubt, whereas Aaron Lennon, Michael Dawson and Tom Huddlestone are all unavailable.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-1-1): Friedel – Walker, Nelsen, Kaboul, Assou-Ekotto – Kranjcar, Modric, Parker, Bale – Van der Vaart – Saha.

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