FA CUP semi final: Tottenham v Chelsea - It's all or nothing!

Here we go people, the start of four massive games in the space of two weeks with tonight's trip to one of our favourite places in recent times to take on a deflated and off form Tottenham at Wembley.

If this game was happening two months ago I would have told you that we would of had no chance to win this. Chelsea were at rock bottom and Spurs were flying and winning games for fun.

Since then, things have changed and the two sides come into the game with the form book flipped on it's head.

Some people say that with it being the FA CUP semi final and just a one off game at Wembley, form goes out the window. In normal circumstances I would agree with you BUT there are important things to consider ahead of the game which in my eyes makes Chelsea big favourites for this one.

I posted the other day my tactical analysis of the Spurs team and as to why their form has taken a nose dive. If you haven't seen it then make sure you check it out here because I believe Chelsea will be able to expose the same areas that cause Spurs problems.

Another reason why I believe Chelsea are favourites is because we have picked ourselves up ever since RDM has taken charge and have put a good run of results together. We have risen to big occasions time and time again and Napoli the other week, when everything was against us beforehand, we managed to turn it around and give the players the belief that we can be successful again this season.

Big games need big players with plenty of experience and Chelsea outweigh Spurs in all departments. We've been there and done it at Wembley on numerous occasions and that experience will be of a great benefit to us tonight.

Chelsea have only one worry ahead of this one and that is our right back position with Ivanovic suspended. Will it be Bosingwa, Ferreira or David Luiz that plays there? Only time will tell but expect a strong Chelsea side to get out there and get the job done.

For Spurs it looks like they only have two fully fit centre halves in the experienced Willie Gallas but Ryan Nelson being the other one, and the lack of the big games at the highest level, it could prove costly as nerves could get the better of him.

I expect Chelsea to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation and start with the following eleven players:

Cech, Ferreira, Cahill, Terry (C), Cole, Mikel, Lampard, Mata, Kalou, Sturridge and Torres.

I also expect Spurs to line up in a 4-5-1 formation with these players starting:

Freidel, Walker, Gallas, Nelson, Assou-Ekotto, Parker, Sandro, Modric, Bale, Van Der Vaart and Adebayor.

I really believe that Chelsea can get at Spurs today and expose the massive gaps that appear between their midfield and defence. Counter attacking football could be key in this one and that's where we CAN win the game.

It's important to recognise the strengths that Spurs have in going forward. I think that VDV will start in the middle and Modric out wide right. Cole and Ferreira (if he starts ahead of the others) will need to look out for the threat of Bale especially as he switches from side to side during the course of the game. JT and Cahill should be able to look after Adebayor.

The midfield battle is key but I am sure there are Spurs fans that will tell you that Scott Parker can't do it all by himself in there. Sandro next to him lacks awareness of his position next to Parker and this is where Chelsea can hurt Tottenham today especially if we play 4-2-3-1.

The problem Spurs have is that if they play 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 with the three in the middle, NO ONE holds in front of the back four and just behind the rest of the midfield in the holding role, they all play square in a line with each other.

Juan Mata could be the key for Chelsea today if he can drop into the hole between their midfield and defence and Chelsea give the ball to him in that position.

It's a massive game for Chelsea with Barcelona waiting in the wings on Wednesday. Being realistic, this is our best chance of silverware this season and I fully expect Chelsea to go all out to win this one.

The good thing is, note my starting eleven and who that will leave on our bench. Chelsea's bench will be much stronger than Spurs' so we have plenty of options to bring people on to win the game late on.

So come on Chelsea, use your experience, exploit the Spurs weakness and book your place in the FA CUP final next to Liverpool in three weeks time.

It really is all or nothing!



KTBFFH!

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