Mourinho vs Villas-Boas: Who will win the tactical battle?

Take a London derby between two of the biggest clubs in the country. Add a broken relationship between two people that achieved so much together, now in opposing corners and what you get is the potential for the game to be an absolute classic!

The Master takes on the student, Yoda takes on Obi-Wan. Who will win the battle of the mind tomorrow?

Jose Mourinho.

Jose Mourinho has nothing to prove. He has come back "home" to "My club, my stadium and my supporters" after his travels across Europe. He has won anything and everything there is to win with a proven track record.

European trophies and league titles throughout his career in Portugal, England, Italy and Spain, he comes here trying to install a new philosophy at our club.

Stating in mid-week after Swindon that he is "working harder than ever" to do so, expect a focused, organised and determined Chelsea team travel to White Hart Lane tomorrow as prepared as they could be by the manager.

Weaknesses spotted and analysed by Mourinho, we will take to the game with an intention of three points and I can assure you this will be very different performance to that of Old Trafford earlier in the season!

Andre Villas-Boas. 

Make no mistake, this is massive for AVB on a personal level. It's the first time he comes up against the man he freely admits, taught him so much.

Another student of the game, AVB will have prepared his Tottenham side as much as possible for what he believes they are to expect from his counterpart in the opposing dugout.

It's his chance to impose his ideas on the pitch and a chance to put one over Jose.

AVB still has plenty to prove in England as far as I am concerned. What he achieved in Portugal was quite simply remarkable but he has failed to reproduce the same over here.

He tried and failed at Chelsea with his approach to how he wants a team to play football. He refused to adapt his style to rigours and demands of the Premier League. To his credit, he learnt from the experience and has come back a better manager.

He has been backed by Daniel Levy at Spurs despite finishing lower in the Premier League than Harry Redknapp's fourth place the season before and he was sacked!

With the Bale sale, AVB has invested wisely but if anything has put even more pressure on himself to deliver a top four finish at least this season!

In summary.

Despite what he or anyone else says, this game means more to AVB than any other for two reasons. Firstly because it's Chelsea and what happened to him. Secondly, because he is up against the best!

Can AVB deliver a tactical masterstroke to guide Spurs to a massive three points against Chelsea and Jose Mourinho?

Does Jose have something up his sleeve to produce his own tactical masterpiece and outwit AVB?

I cannot wait to find out!

Carefree & KTBFFH!!