The Gameweek’s events begin with a cracker. White Hart Lane hosts a London derby clash that promises fireworks, as Chelsea roll up to face their former boss, Andre Villas-Boas. Our Dugout Discussion chatroom, covering this and all today’s games, is now open.
With the talent and baggage on show at Spurs, surely this one can’t pass without incident and goals? Certainly owners of Eden Hazard will be banking on a high-scoring affair, though Gareth Bale’s owners have been dealt a huge blow after Spurs confirmed he is out of today’s match; his partner has apparently gone into labour. The team news from the Lane is as follows:
Spurs XI: Friedel; Walker, Caulker, Gallas, Vertonghen; Sandro, Huddlestone; Lennon, Sigurdsson, Dempsey; Defoe
Andre Villas-Boas makes three changes from the side that saw off Villa last time round. Brad Friedel returns in goal as Hugo Lloris drops to the bench, while Tom Huddlestone replaces Moussa Dembele in the double pivot. The Belgian was reported to have sustained a hip knock in Belgium’s win over Scotland but his manager had stated yesterday all his players returned fit and available from international duty. Dembele is not on the bench, though, which suggests he has picked up a problem. Gylfi Sigurdsson replaces Bale in the attacking midfield three.
Chelsea XI:Cech; Ivanovic, Luiz, Cahill, Cole; Ramires, Mikel, Oscar, Mata, Hazard; Torres
Chelsea make two alterations to their starting XI. Gary Cahill replaces the suspended John Terry in defence, while Frank Lampard drops to the bench, with Ramires taking his place alongside John Obi Mikel.
The early kick-off steers us into seven other matches, with Carrow Road hosting the final encounter as Santi and his Arsenal team-mates pay visit.
