Saturday, February 28, 2015

League Cup Final: Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur Preview

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho will hand a start to Ramires for the League Cup final with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon.

With Nemanja Matic serving a two-match ban and John Obi Mikel still sidelined, the Brazilian will be included as the Blues eye silverware for the first time this season.

Mourinho must also decide between Petr Cech and Thibaut Courtois, while Kurt Zouma could get the nod to partner John Terry in defence.

Chelsea haven't suffered defeat since their shock 4-2 loss to Bradford City, but Mourinho will be keen to improve on the three wins and three draws recorded since that game.

The Blues will be eyeing revenge after they suffered a 5-3 defeat to their London rivals at White Hart Lane on New Year's Day.

Spurs head into the match having failed to win in their last four outings, and head coach Mauricio Pochettino will be eager to restore a bit of belief at the club.

Their exit to Fiorentina in the Europa League followed a last-gasp point at home to West Ham United, a result that has left the team in seventh place in the Premier League table.

Pochettino will recall striker Harry Kane while Michel Vorm should be selected in goal, but the Argentine has selection dilemmas in the centre of defence and on the left flank.

Eric Dier and Fazio are in contention to partner Jan Vertonghen, while Pochettino must decide between Andros Townsend and Christian Eriksen further forward.

Spurs last won the League Cup when defeating Chelsea 2-1 in the final in 2008 thanks to goals from Dimitar Berbatov and Jonathan Woodgate.

Kick Off Time - 16:00HRS

Venue Wembley Stadium

Referee A Taylor

Odds Chelsea 7-10 Tottenham 5-1


 Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur: probable starters in bold, contenders in light.

Chelsea
Subs from Blackman, Cech, Aké, Christensen, Zouma, Filipe Luís, Cuadrado, Loftus-Cheek, Brown, Rémy, Drogba

Doubtful None

Injured Mikel (knee, 4 Mar)

Suspended Matic (first of two)

Form DDWWDW

Discipline Y61 R3

Leading scorer Costa 17

Tottenham Hotspur
Subs from Friedel, Vorm, Yedlin, Fazio, Kaboul, Davies, Stambouli, Capoue, Dembélé, Paulinho, Lamela, Chiriches, Adebayor, Soldado

Doubtful None

Injured None

Suspended None

Form LDDLWW

Discipline Y70 R3

Leading scorer Kane 24


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