Chelsea Team News: Injuries, suspensions and line-up vs Tottenham

Nizaar Kinsella

Chelsea Team News: Injuries, suspensions and line-up vs Tottenham image

Chelsea face Tottenham at the weekend as they look to bounce back from a 2-3 defeat to Burnley on the opening day of their Premier League title defence. 

The second week of the season sees Chelsea as the first visitors to arrive to Spurs' new and temporary home of Wembley Stadium. Spurs have moved to Wembley as they finish off the building of their new stadium after leaving White Hart Lane at the end of last year. 

They go into the game having beaten Newcastle United at St James' Park on the opening day of the season and Chelsea are working this week to improve their selection problems ahead of the game. 


CHELSEA INJURIES


Conte is faced with a host of selection problems after Chelsea sustained two red cards versus Burnley. Eden Hazard and Pedro face late fitness tests as Conte admits that Pedro trained but remains in "pain" from an ankle injury. 

Tiemoue Bakayoko looks likely to make his debut and possibly even start but Conte admits that rushing him back means risking re-injuring him. 

Victor Moses was out of the defeat at Stamford Bridge last week but he is the main positive as he returns from suspension. 

Hazard and Bakayoko played in an 8-0 win in a behind closed doors friendly versus a Queen's Park Rangers XI at Cobham Training Centre this week as Conte assesses his options. 

Diego Costa has been ordered back to Cobham to train as he remains away from the first team group in Brazil. He has no chance of playing against Spurs and he is still expected to be sold, with Atletico Madrid his most likely destination.

Eden Hazard Chelsea


CHELSEA SUSPENSIONS


Victor Moses is back after missing Burnley at the weekend due to a red card he picked up against Arsenal in the FA Cup final last season.

However, Gary Cahill and Cesc Fabregas are out of the weekend's action as Chelsea went down to nine men versus Burnley. Cahill misses three games, while Fabregas misses one.

Chelsea odds vs Tottenham


POTENTIAL STARTING LINE-UP


Chelsea have continued into the new season with the 3-4-3 formation that brought them title glory last term. Conte is likely to keep using this winning shape and the return of Moses will bring back some much needed balance to the side. 

Jeremie Boga started on the wing as options were limited on the opening day of the season, but if Pedro is fit he will likely come back in for the Ivory Coast international. 

Alvaro Morata may have done enough to convince Conte to give him his first start after getting a goal and an assist on his debut. Michy Batshuayi struggled last weekend and Conte may opt to switch his front men around. 

Morata 13/8 to score anytime

Chelsea face selection problems in centre midfield with N'Golo Kante as the only fit and available senior player who performs in that role. It is likely that David Luiz or Andreas Christensen will start in the middle. 

Kyle Scott is another option to play in central midfield but he will likely be on the bench, which will once again be very youthful, as Chelsea aim to add new players in the transfer market before 31 August. Bakayoko and Hazard are not expected to be rushed back into the starting line up.

Chelsea XI for Spurs


TOTTENHAM TEAM NEWS


Mauricio Pochettino has no fresh injury worries as they look to make Wembley a fortress this season. Kieran Trippier is still out with "minor ligament damage" but he is expected to be back after the international break. 

Victor Wanyama and Heung-min Son could be brought back into the starting line up after being on the bench against Newcastle. Kyle Walker-Peters made his debut last weekend as he came in to replace Kyle Walker.

The defender of a similar name moved to Manchester City for £50 million earlier in the transfer window. Erik Lamela and Danny Rose remain out with ongoing hip and knee trouble. 

Harry Kane Tottenham


BEST OPTA MATCH FACTS


  • This will be the first-ever Premier League match played at Wembley Stadium and it will be the 58th different stadium to host a game in the competition. 

  • Tottenham Hotspur went an entire campaign unbeaten at home in the league last season - the first time they’ve done this since 1964-65. 

  • Chelsea have lost just two of their last 17 games in all competitions against Tottenham (W8 D7 L2).

  • Since beating Chelsea in the 2008 League Cup final, Spurs have won just one of their last nine games at Wembley Stadium (W1 D2 L6). That win came in a registered ‘home match’ in the Champions League group stages against CSKA Moscow last season (3-1).

  • Harry Kane’s next goal for Tottenham will be his 100th in all competitions for the club – though he’s failed to score in any of his 11 Premier League appearances in the month of August.

  • Since Álvaro Morata’s first season as a top-flight player (2010-11), the Spanish striker has scored more goals as a substitute in the big five European leagues than any other player (22). 


TV COVERAGE & KICK-OFF TIME


The match is at 16:00 BST and will be shown live in the UK on Sky Sports' Premier League and Main Events channels.

Nizaar Kinsella

Nizaar Kinsella Photo

Nizaar Kinsella is a Chelsea correspondent with experience covering international football at the World Cup and European Championships. He is a trusted voice within the Chelsea community, attending almost every game and having spent many years doing so. Coverage on Goal.com has seen him invited onto CNN, BBC Radio 5 Live, TalkSport and BeINSports to comment on the turbulent world of the Stamford Bridge club. He previously worked for the Daily Mirror and BBC Radio Manchester, as well as a period working in the UK charity sector.