Tottenham vs Chelsea: 5 factors that could decide the game

After the end of the International break, club football returns in England with a big game in hand. It is a derby in London, between Chelsea and Tottenham. At this moment both teams are separated by a solitary point in the table. Chelsea could not score in their last game and ended up dropping two points. For Tottenham, this is the first of a few tough games coming up. They have a visit pending by Inter and also a North London Derby afterwards.

Chelsea lost the last league game against Tottenham, thanks to a brace from Dele Alli. But the last time that these teams faced off at Tottenham's home ground, Chelsea won 2-1, with Marcos Alonso scoring twice.

Here are five decisive factors in the game.

#5 Hugo Lloris' current form

Netherlands v France - UEFA Nations League A

Lloris was the standout performer when France was beaten by the Netherlands by a 2-0 margin. He made a total of 9 saves and almost won the Man of the Match award thanks to his match rating. He made a brilliant double save off Dumfries in the game and also deflected several other shots.

In the Premier League, he has made a total of 31 saves in the eight games played. He averages a total of six saves per goal conceded, which is remarkable. It also shows the strong defense that supports him.

On current form, Lloris is red-hot and would be looking to carry forward that momentum in the derby. He will be tested by a number of challenges, primarily the all-around Eden Hazard. Marcos Alonso is a strong set-piece taker and his close-range free-kicks are dangerous for any keeper. Willian loves to try shots from outside the box.

Lloris has not had any memorable game in the Spurs shirt this season. He had rather dismal games in the Champions League. Spurs would hope that he has a memorable game come Saturday,

#4 The centre-back partnership of Spurs

Is Juan Foyth ready to start against Chelsea?

Toby Alderweireld is the automatic choice to start in center back spot. There are options to partner him. A three-man defense seems extremely hypothetical and thus a 2 man defense it is. But since Davinson Sanchez has a minor injury, he would miss the game. Pochettino usually doesn't like to throw his players returning from injury right into the fire. But Jan Vertonghen seems a hot favorite to start.

Simply because the other options available are too dangerous to gamble with against Chelsea. Dier starting at center-back and facing Morata, Willian and Hazard, is as bad as it is. Juan Foyth is another option but he could also be a bad gamble to take.

The midfield options are also not very promising for Spurs. The prospect of Dier and Winks against Kante and Barkley is not at all a good one for Spurs. We will find the answer on Saturday night.

#3 Kieran Trippier's absence

Kieran Trippier is the usual starter in the right-back spot for the Spurs. But now he is injured and would not play any part in the game against Chelsea. This will put Serge Aurier in the starting spot. Filling the void left by Trippier would not be easy. He is a good free-kick taker and contributes well in both ends of the field.

Aurier has to bring his A-game to the pitch to have any chances of success. More than having to replace Trippier, he has to perform because Chelsea is dangerous through their left-wing. This means Eden Hazard and Marcos Alonso come straight against him while trying to escape through the wings.

Hazard has been in ominous form all season so far. Pochettino has to get Aurier well-ready for the long 90 minutes that await him against Chelsea. Both Hazard and Alonso can make it seem like an hour when they would have the ball for only about a minute in reality.

Strap up guys, the left wing will be on fire but will there be an extinguisher as well? Watch the game and find out.

#2 The forward line of Spurs - Who gets benched?

Son Heung Min should start alongside Dele, Eriksen, and Kane but will he?

Harry Kane will start for sure. There is no doubt about that thing. He is coming off a good game against Croatia in the international break, where he scored the winning goal. But other than Kane, there are Lucas Moura, Son Heung Min, Dele Alli, and Cristian Eriksen available for selection.

All players are equally deserving to start. But seemingly one of them has to be benched. Eriksen and Dele Alli too could be considered as no-brainers to start and thus we are left with two. Son is a great goal-scorer and has delivered on many occasions, the same can be said for Lucas Moura.

It is up to Mauricio Pochettinho to decide the starter. One of them would start while the other could be used as a substitute. Against a team like Chelsea, possibly a more swift Son-Heung Min could start but that is just a speculation at this point.

#1 Jorginho - Stopping Chelsea's pivotal midfielder

Jorginho has been at his absolute best in the Premier League this season. He is completing almost 100 passes per game which is a miraculous effort. He had a record-setting 186 touches in Chelsea's win against Newcastle United. That many touches show just how pivotal he is.

He has been at his level best in ball distribution, ball retention, finding open spaces and making interceptions. He has managed to move N'Golo Kante out of his position. Jorginho and Sarri remain as lethal a duo as they were in Napoli.

But Everton managed to hold Chelsea to a draw and how? They nullified Jorginho. Their midfield completely focused on the pivotal midfielder, giving him no breathing space at all. He was so frustrated by the caging of the midfield around him that he reckless levelled Gylfi Sigurdsson in the first half and was rather lucky not to be sent off.

That is the blueprint. But it is not that Jorginho would be pressed to isolation every day. He is great in playing through the press and overly pressing him could also lead to leaving other players free. If Pochettino somehow manages to isolate the Italian using his midfield, then Chelsea is 50% less dangerous.

Will the midfield of Dier and Winks be able to isolate Jorginho?