Relegation and Champions League in the balance as Tottenham and Chelsea renew rivalry

When Tottenham and Chelsea meet, there is often fireworks, and given what is on the line at Stamford Bridge, it promises to be an epic.

After West Ham's dismal defeat to Newcastle United, the stage is set for Roberto De Zerbi's side to secure their Premier League status for another season.

While the ramifications are not so severe for the Blues, they can at least give themselves an outside shot at qualifying for next campaign's Champions League with victory.

The history books do not make for grand reading for Spurs, but considering the form of each side, could they finally win another battle at the Bridge?

What is at stake for Tottenham and Chelsea?

For Spurs, the message is clear: a win will relegate the Hammers and confirm their own safety, while even a draw would almost certainly be enough.

The Lilywhites not only have a two-point cushion on the relegation zone but they also have a far superior goal difference over their rivals, which could play into their hands.

As for Chelsea, things are far more complicated, but if Callum McFarlane wants to give his team the best chance of qualifying for next season's Champions League, then only a win will suffice.

The Blues occupy 10th position and are six points behind sixth-place Bournemouth, who would qualify for Europe's elite competition next term if they maintain their standing and Aston Villa win the Europa League.

If Unai Emery fails to lift his favourite trophy for a fifth time, then sixth and seventh would earn a Europa League place, while eighth would mean the Conference League.

Essentially, if the West Londoners want to give themselves a fighting chance of playing Champions League or Europa League football, then they must beat Tottenham and Sunderland in their final two games.

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The history books favour the Blues

Not only are Chelsea one of Tottenham's fiercest rivals, but they are also one of their bogey teams, so the short trip to Stamford Bridge is usually a sticky one.

In their last nine visits to the Bridge, Spurs have only taken one point, which came in their 2-2 draw in 2022 when Harry Kane's 96th-minute goal capped off a stellar contest.

To add to their misery, the North London outfit managed just four goals in those nine visits, with half of them coming in that one game.

Tottenham are also Chelsea's most fruitful opponent in the Premier League, as their 38 league wins over them are their most over any team in the competition.

Remarkably, the Lilywhites have won just one of their last 35 away league games against the Blues, a 3-1 victory under Mauricio Pochettino in 2018.

Why Spurs will fancy their chances at Stamford Bridge

Yes, the record books make for dismal reading for Tottenham, but they will enter this derby with belief for several reasons.

West Ham's humbling defeat at St James' Park itself should be enough motivation for De Zerbi's men as they know they can clinch survival with a game to spare.

Moreover, Spurs have been the fifth-best away side in the Premier League this term, picking up 26 points on away soil, the same as Chelsea and Manchester United .

Beyond statistics, De Zerbi's Tottenham have been far more threatening than the one we have witnessed for the majority of the campaign, while they have also been more defensively sound.

The Blues, on the other hand, have endured a torrid end to their season, which has been softened by the news that Xabi Alonso will take over as manager this summer.

Before their 1-1 draw with Liverpool, the West Londoners broke several unwanted records: they suffered five straight defeats without scoring for the first time since 1912, and they lost four successive home matches for only the second time in their history.

If their much-improved performance against Manchester City in the FA Cup final , coupled with their hatred of Tottenham, cannot motivate them to win, then they will be undeserving of victory.

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