Havertz to feature? - How Chelsea could line-up against Tottenham

Cameron Smith

Master versus apprentice, Mourinho versus Lampard, Tottenham versus Chelsea. Sunday promises to be exciting.

With Chelsea off the back of a last-gasp win against Rennes to secure their place in the Champions League last-16, and unbeaten in seven in the league, confidence will be high at Stamford Bridge.

Kai Havertz's return to full fitness is almost complete, but the form of Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic in the two no.8 role's means the German won't automatically get his place in the starting XI back.

In fact, it's likely Havertz could play a key role coming off the bench against Spurs, rather than from the off.

Both teams will be wary of the threat that the other poses and hence it'll be a cagey affair, and bringing Havertz on against a tired Spurs backline could well prove to be the difference for the Blues.

In terms of the rest of the squad, it'll be the same as last time out in the league, except for the return of Thiago Silva at centre-half.

Whilst Antonio Rudiger deputised capably against Newcastle, it's obvious that Silva and Kurt Zouma are Lampard's preferred pairing, and having given Reece James a rest against Rennes, he'll be back in at right-back to replace club captain Cesar Azpilicueta.

Hakim Ziyech was given a rest, with Callum Hudson-Odoi starting, on Tuesday night but despite the Englishmen scoring, Ziyech will likely be brought back in, with Hudson-Odoi a pacey option to bring off the bench.

Timo Werner looked a little leggy in midweek but his quality, and the fact that Cristian Pulisic isn't yet fit enough for a starting berth ,means he will once again start on the left, with the in-form Tammy Abraham leading the line.

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