The Premier League leaders have won all six of their games since switching to a 3-4-2-1 formation in October, with a grand total of zero goals conceded in that time. Antonio Conte has succeeded in finding the right balance between attack and defence: the Blues have conceded a combined two shots on target in recent clashes with Middlesbrough - who they defeated by a goal to nil last time out - Everton, Leicester City and Southampton, while they have also shown a significant improvement in forward areas thanks largely to Victor Moses' thrusts from right wing-back, the new-found freedom afforded to a revitalised Eden Hazard and the continued excellence in front of goal of Diego Costa, who is the Premier League's top scorer at present.
Tottenham returned to winning ways in the top flight with a 3-2 triumph over West Ham United last weekend, but a 2-1 loss to Monaco on Tuesday that led to their exit from the Champions League has dampened the optimism around White Hart Lane. Regardless of the understandable disappointment that followed such a setback, Mauricio Pochettino's men remain in a reasonably strong position domestically: Spurs are still unbeaten after the first 12 fixtures of the season and are just four points behind first-placed Chelsea heading into this weekend's encounter. An improvement in performance levels will be necessary if Tottenham are to launch a sustained tilt for the title this term, however.
Chelsea have a clean bill of health ahead of this London derby, in which Conte will probably name an unchanged starting XI. Given that the hosts will be outnumbered in the centre of the park, N'Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic will be essential when it comes to covering ground and regaining possession, while David Luiz is likely to stick tight to Spurs' danger man and most likely goalscorer, Harry Kane. Further forward, Hazard and Pedro's movement infield will unsettle Tottenham's defensive unit, with most of their opponents having struggled to deal with that particular aspect of Chelsea's play up to now.
Pochettino will be unable to call upon injured trio Erik Lamela, Ben Davies and Toby Alderweireld, while Danny Rose will also miss out through suspension. Jan Vertonghen will start at left-back in the England international's absence, with youngster Harry Winks set to keep his place in midfield and Kane likely to play as a lone striker at the top of the pitch. It will be interesting to see if Spurs are able to test Chelsea with their high-pressing game, which is a style of play Conte's charges have not really come up against during their current stretch of good form.
It is difficult to look past another Chelsea triumph at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. A 2-1 home victory could be the way to go in this one, with Costa the obvious choice to grab the first goal.
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