The stage is set as the team news emerges from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Chelsea gearing up for a Premier League showdown against Spurs on Sunday. Chelsea arrives in fine form, having won their last four matches across all competitions. Meanwhile, Spurs have faced a different story lately, going winless in three matches and their last victory coming in a surprising yet deserved 4-0 win over Manchester City. The pressure is on Spurs to avoid another defeat to Chelsea, who have won five of their seven visits to this stadium in all competitions. If they fail, Ange Postecoglou might find himself the subject of fans' frustrations at the final whistle. Another win for Chelsea will make it five in a row as they enter the busy festive period. Enzo Maresca remains cautious and not getting carried away with Chelsea's positive form since his summer arrival.

Preparations and Team Selections

Before the match, the Chelsea head coach emphasized, "We are not favourites, absolutely not. They are playing European competition, like us, and we are in that mix. But it's not because we are second in the table that we are the favourites, absolutely not." Maresca has made changes from the side that won 5 - 1 in Southampton midweek. Robert Sanchez returns in goal, with Levi Colwill and Benoit Badiashile named as the defensive pairing. Pedro Neto and Nicolas Jackson, both one yellow card away from a one-match suspension, also return to the attack.

Tottenham's Starting XI

Tottenham's starting lineup features Forster in goal, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, and Udogie in defense, Bissouma and Sarr in midfield, Kulusevski, Johnson, Solanke, and Son in attack. On the bench, there are Austin, Spence, Dragusin, Reguilon, Gray, Bergvall, Maddison, Werner, and Lankshear.

Chelsea's Starting XI

Chelsea's starting lineup for the match against Spurs is Sanchez in goal, Caicedo, Badiashile, Colwill, and Cucurella in defense, Lavia and Fernandez in midfield, Neto, Palmer, Sancho, and Jackson in attack. On the bench, there are Jorgensen, Gusto, Disasi, Tosin, Veiga, Dewsbury-Hall, Joao Felix, and Madueke.