Tottenham war against chelseafc

Bosingwa is out with a hamstring injury while Van der Vaart is sidelined.

 

Knocking On The Top Four Door
Spurs as title contenders? Stop laughing at the back, it's a real possibility. Harry Redknapp's side are only six points off the summit and a win against a Chelsea side in disarray on Sunday would take them to within a point of their London rivals.

They are in-form too, unbeaten in seven matches, having secured progression to the Champions League knockout phase, impressively topping their group ahead of holders Inter. Redknapp's men go into this London derby the more confident and most likely to secure all three points. It's been a while since we said that.

I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues

It is not a good time to be associated with Chelsea at the moment; struggling for form, struggling with injuries, and struggling to understand why this season seems to be falling down around them. And there appears to be no sign of things improving.

Wednesday's limp defeat at Marseille showed how far the Blues have fallen, with an impotent attack and a lazy defense letting in Brandao for the winner. A trip to a bullish Spurs side isn't what the doctor ordered.

And with Frank Lampard still missing and John Terry not 100 per cent, Chelsea will be hoping Santa Claus brings them an upturn in fortunes, or a magic cure for injuries, or they could find themselves losing pace with the top pack.

TEAM NEWS

Tottenham

Spurs will have to do without the services of talisman of Rafael van der Vaart, who hasn't recovered in time from a hamstring injury. It was hoped the Dutchman would be able to make the starting line-up, but those hopes have been dashed.

However, in better news midfield maestro Luka Modric is back, along with Peter Crouch, Aaron Lennon and Alan Hutton, after being rested for the midweek Champions League draw with Twente.

Jermaine Jenas and Younes Kaboul are doubtful, but there could be a starting place for Michael Dawson, who is ready to make his first start since returning from a serious injury. The chances of Tom Huddlestone, Jamie O'Hara, Ledley King or Jonathan Woodgate playing are zero, though, as they all have long-term injury problems.
Probable lineup: Gomes; Hutton, Gallas, Bassong, Assout-Ekotto; Lennon, Palacios, Modric, Bale; Crouch, Defoe.
Chelsea

Sunday won't see the long awaited return of Frank Lampard for the Blues. The midfielder has been consigned to the sidelines since August after suffering two setbacks in his rehabilitation from a hernia operation and will continue to miss out.

Nicolas Anelka and Ashley Cole were rested for the trip to Marseille in midweek and should start at White Hart Lane, alongside John Terry who made it through 70 minutes in France.

Jose Bosingwa picked up a hamstring injury and will miss out - with Paulo Ferreira likely to deputize - joining long term injury victims Alex and Yossi Benayoun on the sidelines.

Probable lineup: Cech; Ferreira, Terry, Ivanovic, Cole; Essien, Ramires, Mikel; Kalou, Drogba, Anelka