THEY don't come any bigger than this London derby at Stamford Bridge with Champions League football on the line.
Spurs have never won a Premier League match at Stamford Bridge in 20 visits and no side is currently on a longer run without victory at an opponent's ground than Spurs against Chelsea.
In his brief reign 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 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 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.
On only one occasion this season have Tottenham failed to score away from home in the league. They 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.
Juan Mata has scored three times in his last two appearances against Spurs 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, he's been unfortunate not to scoop any of them.
The No.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 Spurs' hopes too, having struck twice in the space of three minutes during that win at the Lane earlier in the campaign.
Recommended Bets
Back Chelsea to beat Spurs @ 1.97Recommended
Back over 2.5 goals @ 1.78
Back Juan Mata to score @ 3.85
Milesey (Betfair)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
Being a Spurs fan my only hope is that they play like the underdogs that they are, at least that way they may not get ripped to pieces
As a gooner this is going to be a very interesting game, cmon cheelsea
Agreed Come on Cheslea
bonkers bet
chelsea 3 v 2 spurs
Been on-line most of the morning checking out various matches/leagues looking for alternatives to the ‘must win’ matches given recent results…But I think Chelsea are a stand out: And believe it or not Paul my research is not to far away from your tips, Im on :
Chelsea to win @ 10/11 skybet
Over 2.5 goals @ 11/10 skybet
J.Mata 1st goal @ 15/2 skybet
J.Mata A/T goal @ 5/2 skybet
Plus, BTTS,Chelsea to win @ 5/2
i agree lads cmon chelsea
Well I’ll go against the grain and cheer on Spurs, Bale anytime,over 3.5gls and Draw HT/Spurs FT
Bet 6
Chelsea ht/ft v Tottenham @ 15/8
Stake £50
Returns £143.75
@ ladbrokes
going with a 2 wincast bets for interest, bale/spurs at 14.5 and lampard/draw at 60/1!!