Speaking exclusively to This is Futbol, Gary Mabbutt looked ahead to Tottenham Hotspur’s clash with Chelsea this weekend.
The former Bristol Rovers and Spurs centre-back claimed that, despite his belief that Tottenham will face some challenging opposition in the coming weeks, he is confident in the team’s ability.
“We’ve got some tough games coming up,” Mabbutt told This is Futbol. “But, you know, looking at those games coming up, I’m feeling that our opponents are going to be more concerned about us than we’re going to be about them.”
Jose Mourinho’s side have started their 2020/21 Premier League campaign incredibly impressively, as since losing in their opening fixture of the season against Everton, Spurs have remained undefeated over their subsequent eight league matches, a run that has included impressive victories against the likes of Manchester United, who Tottenham swept aside 6-1, and Manchester City, who they beat 2-0.
However, while Tottenham sit top of the Premier League table at present, their opposition this weekend is Frank Lampard’s Chelsea, who are just two points behind the north London side in third.
Mabbutt continued: “Chelsea are on top form, Spurs are on top form. Everyone’s thinking, ‘I can’t wait for that game to start.’ It could be completely flat and awful. But there’s a lot at stake in this game. I’ve said it a few times, but that title is up for grabs.
Do you think Spurs will beat Chelsea?
Yes
No
“Every single point is vital to every single team. So yes, it’s going to be a very tough game, but I think Spurs will go there full of confidence [after] what they achieved against Manchester City; Chelsea will be full of confidence after their victory at Newcastle.
“So yes, I think you’ve got two sets of great players, two excellent managers, and something’s got to give.”
Much like Spurs, Chelsea have lost just one game so far this season – a 2-0 defeat to reigning champions Liverpool back in September, with Lampard’s side currently on a run of seven games unbeaten.
As such, on the surface, it would appear that most signs point towards an exciting encounter between the London rivals this Saturday, however, as Mabbutt suggests, it could quite as easily turn out to be a drab affair, with Chelsea keeping three clean sheets over their past four league fixtures, while Spurs, prior to their 2-0 win against City, had won each of their previous three fixtures by just one goal.