Chelsea v Tottenham - It's all or nothing!.

Morning all I'm back from Florida and first up for me after missing out on Napoli, Leicester and City is this lunchtimes mouthwatering game at the Bridge against Spurs and what a change in fortune for both sides coming into this one.

A couple of weeks ago Spurs were flying under Harry Redknapp, winning games and playing well then England happened and ever since his side have faltered in recent weeks. Chelsea were down and out under AVB and couldn't buy a win. Di Matteo took over and we are in the Semi Finals of the FA Cup, the Quarter Finals of the Champions League and apart from a poor performance against City in midweek, looked to have turned things round.

The City result was a real kick in the teeth in midweek especially as Spurs grabbed a late point at home to Stoke to put them five points ahead of us in third place in the league and now a point behind Arsenal. The message to the Chelsea players today is simple - Only a win will do!.

So what of Spurs? You have to hold your hands up and admit they have done fantastic so far this season which pains me to say of course but no one can deny the job Harry Redknapp has done there. The addition of Scott Parker has made a huge difference to them this year and he provides the base the side works from.

Parker allows the likes of Bale, Modric, Lennon, and Van der Vaart freedom to get forward and create for their front players. The loan signing of Adebayor has also been another great signing for them as at times Spurs struggled with Defoe plus one up front.

Adebayor is a target man and can do everything when he is up for it, a bit like our Didier Drogba and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top this afternoon. If anything, Adebayor has replaced what Berbatov brought to Spurs.

Spurs have their injury worries with the likes of Lennon, Adebayor and Ledley King all being classed beforehand as "doubtful" but take it with a pinch of salt for now as I expect at least two of them to be named in the starting line up.

Without question, this is arguably our biggest game alongside Napoli the other week, of our season so far. Spurs are a different proposition these days and ARE a strong, strong side. Any defensive mistakes from Chelsea will be punished so we have to remain solid today. Any slip ups and it could be Arsenal at home all over again!.

For Chelsea this is such a massive game this afternoon that I expect the big guns to return which could be hard on Fernando Torres. I never saw the City game (as was in Florida with no Sports Channels or Internet) but by all accounts he worked his socks off again compared to what Drogba did when he came on.

Saying that, this is a big game on TV with the world watching so expect Drogba to raise his game again if as expected, he starts. He remains a frustration now for Chelsea fans, but when he is on it, he is as good as it gets in the Premier League still so I do expect him to start so he better be up for it as we need a big Drogba performance!.

Ivanovic is a worry though. If he doesn't make it then I would prefer Di Matteo sticks David Luiz at right back and put Jose Bosingwa anywhere else but on that pitch. John Terry returns to the side and should start next to the impressive Gary Cahill. We miss Terry big time when he isn't there and his experience will be needed today. Ashley Cole will get the nod at left back as usual.

The midfield is interesting for me today because it obviously comes down to how RDM approaches the game. For some reason, he changed from the 4-2-3-1 formation that had served us well to 4-3-3 against City. I am hoping he reverts back this afternoon but the questions remain as to who plays?.

The reason I am saying that is because Michael Essien hasn't been the same since he made his long awaited return from injury. The general impression we have at the moment is that he is a yard off the pace and a shadow of his former self. We cannot afford this seasons Essien to start today, we HAVE TO see the Essien of old dominating the midfield if he starts.

We hear that Romeu is back fit and I just wonder if RDM will be bold a decide to pair him with Mikel in the base of our midfield?. We have all wondered what has happened to him after being told he was injured for a while by AVB. RDM has declared he is fit so I want him to start and to get hold of the ball and knock it about and begin attacks for us.

So with as expected, Drogba starting for Chelsea it leaves us with the three in behind him up for grabs and Juan Mata is a nailed on starter. Mata and Drogba have already showed signs of an understanding there with Mata creating goals for him already this season. These two and their link up play could unlock the Spurs door this afternoon.

So that leaves either side of Mata and I would go with Kalou and Sturridge today for their unpredictability allowing Mata to play in the middle but I can't see it happening. So I predict Lampard will get the nod along with Ramires once again with Sturridge, Kalou and Meireles missing out.

By all accounts Ramires and Lampard were far from good enough the other night and Lampard won't need telling. He knows himself and has always been the biggest critic of himself so expect a much better reaction to Weds from Lampard today. Ramires will also be keen to give us another Napoli type performance today.

So my team prediction for Chelsea in about an hour will be:

Cech, Luiz, Cahill, Terry (c), Cole, Mikel, Romeu, Mata, Lampard, Ramires and Drogba.

Bench: Turnbull, Bertrand, Essien, Meireles, Kalou, Sturridge, Torres.

Chelsea have it all to do in the Premier League and HAVE TO win this one to have a realistic chance of finishing in the top four with the run in we have until the end of the season. Spurs will be looking to get out of their mini slump and would love to put one over us today.

Can Chelsea rise to yet another challenge with Benfica in mind on Tuesday? Let's hope so. We have the quality and flexibility in our squad to make things happen.

It's all or nothing - Come on Chelsea!

KTBFFH!

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