It will be deja vu for Jose Mourinho as he takes on Tottenham in a League Cup final. A league cup triumph 10 years ago was Mourinho’s first trophy on English football. Chelsea won the 2005 final 3-2 at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.
In his second stint in England, Mourinho started off being a calming influence over the media and his side but lately he has been on a rampage due to the injustice he thinks he is suffering due to awful referring decisions.
Such was the scene in Chelsea’s last league game against Burnley where Nemanja Matic was sent for showing a reaction to Ashley Barnes’ rash tackle. Mourinho will not be in a pleasing mood for the final and nothing but a victory will make him happy.
Chelsea’s chances of landing this trophy will depend on the likes of Diego Costa, Eden Hazrad, Cesc Fabregas and Oscar. Chelsea’s defensive cover will be provided by the veteran John Terry and experienced Gary Cahill.
Mauricio Pochettino suffered an unstable start to his reign as Spurs manager, but since he has turned the things around and has built a strong and fit side at White Hart Lane. Tottenham have shown amazing fighting spirit to win 5 games this season in last 5 minutes of games.
Tottenham’s strength lies in the attacking prowess of Harry Kane, Christian Eriksen, Erik Lamela and Nacir Chadli. Spurs have one of the best goal keepers in the league, Hugo Lloris who will do his best to keep out the attacking talents of Chelsea.
Team News
Chelsea
Nemanja Matic will be the key absentee for the blues as he will serve first of his 2-game ban against Spurs tonight. John Obi Mikel is out as well due to knee injury, which leaves Ramires as the most suitable one to start alongside Cesc Fabregas in the middle.
Jose Mourinho will have to think on which goal keeper he wants to start in the final. Courtious and Cech has been in decent form and have equal chances of starting in the playing 11.
Probable Chelsea Line-up against Tottenham: (4-2-3-1) – Courtious, Cahill, Terry, Ivanovic, Azpilicueta, Ramires, Fabregas, Willian, Oscar, Hazard, Costa
Tottenham
Mauricio Pchettino has an injury-free squad to choose ahead of the final. Harry Kane, Andros Townsend and Kyle Walker will be hopeful to start against Chelsea as they were rested in the European exit to Fiorentina.
Like Mourinho, Pochettino has two in-form goal keeper to choose from in Lloris and Vorm.
Probable Tottenham Line-up against Chelsea: (4-2-3-1) – Lloris, Vertongen, Dier, Rose, Walker, Mason, Bentaleb, Lamela, Chadli, Eriksen, Costa
Key Battles
Eden Hazard vs Kyle Walker
Eden Hazard has scored in both the games against Spurs this season and a goal in the final could be the most vital one, Hazard would score this season. Kyle Walker will his hands full of speed, trickery and brilliance from the Belgian. Walker, who is a tremendous athlete and will have no problem in matching to Hazrad’s pace and power.
Walker will need to be on his guard for moments when Hazard flicks and looks to go pass players. Walker will have to play one of the best games of his life to keep out Hazard.
Diego Costa vs Harry Kane
Much like the Sturrdige-Aguero battle in the league today, the striking battle between the two hitmen could decide the winner on the night. Costa has scored 17 league goals while Kane has scored 22 goals in all competitions this season.
Harry Kane was the destroyer for Chelsea when they last met in a 5-3 rubbing at White Hart Lane. The Englishman had a memorable game that night. Costa would look to have his say in this one and perhaps Costa can outplay Kane in a game of greater importance.
Cesc Fabregas vs Christian Eriksen
These two men are the heartbeat for their sides. Fabregas has 2 goals, 15 assists and 52 key passes for Chelsea while Eriksen has 1 assist, 9 goals and 61 key passes for Spurs in the league this season. Fabregas and Eriksen would be vital to any chance of Kane and Costa succeeding in the finals and whichever of the two creative player outplays the other will end the night as the League Cup winner.
Opta facts
- Both Chelsea and Tottenham are looking to secure their fifth League Cup success. Only two sides have managed to achieve this – Liverpool (eight League Cups) and Aston Villa (five).
- Chelsea’s last two League Cup final victories came under Jose Mourinho in 2005 and 2007. All three of Mourinho’s domestic final appearances as Chelsea boss have ended with the Blues lifting the trophy (FA Cup in 2006/07).
- Chelsea have lost two of their three previous meetings against Spurs at Wembley, both by a 2-1 scoreline (1967 FA Cup final and 2008 League Cup final). They did however beat them 5-1 there in the 2012 FA Cup semi-final.
- Harry Kane has been involved in more of Spurs’ goals in this competition than any other player so far (four, scoring three and assisting another).
- Spurs’ 5-3 win over Chelsea in January ended a run of 10 games against the Blues without a win (D5 L5).
- Petr Cech, John Terry and Didier Drogba played in both the 2005 and 2007 finals under Mourinho, with Drogba scoring in both (once in 2005, twice in 2007). The Ivorian also scored Chelsea’s goal in defeat to Tottenham in 2008.
Prediction
Make no mistake about the fact that, this will be the most key match for either sides. No one will remember Spurs’ 5-3 win earlier in the season if Chelsea manage to lift the cup tonight. Chelsea will have an added pressure of lifting the cup as there has been a stir created in the media by Jose Mourinho for the injustice his team is suffering.
I am going for a narrow 2-1 win for Chelsea and 1st silverware this season for Jose Mourinho’s side.
Stats Credits: Opta
Image Credits: dailymail