Analysis - Chelsea preview with Sam Matterface

We're back with a bang in the Premier League as we take on unbeaten Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday.

So for our latest 'Preview from the Press Box', we turned to Sam Matterface, a well-known voice as commentator and presenter for ITV Sport and talkSPORT and aficionado on all things Chelsea, for his views on this potential cracker.

Chelsea's form

Sam: “What I think is remarkable is that Chelsea have managed to go through the season unbeaten so far despite the fact that they’ve played some difficult games, despite the fact that the manager (Maurizio Sarri) came in with less than a month’s preparation time and despite the fact that they’ve changed to a completely different formation (4-3-3). They’ve somehow retained a bit of defensive stability, which I must admit, after watching the Community Shield (they lost 2-0 against City), I didn’t think was going to be there. They’ve done very well on all fronts so far and very often keep clean sheets, which is impressive. They haven’t allowed too many shots at the goalkeeper (Kepa Arrizabalaga), he’s still young and they’ve protected him well.”

Chelsea's approach

Sam: “I’m sure Chelsea will approach this game exactly the same as they’ve approached every other game - they’ll try to attack, score goals and get the ball forward quickly. The full-backs will try to get up the pitch, especially Marcos Alonso, even though he’s now playing as a left-back rather than a left wing-back. Obviously Eden Hazard is vitally important and he has a slightly freer role. He has a lot more freedom, the ball comes to him more often, he gets more touches and he can express himself. He’s also working hard defensively, he does good work the other side of the ball as well. Look, we all know Chelsea’s record against Spurs is pretty good, but there are always goals in this game - 34 in the last 10. Spurs have grafted out a few 1-0s of late, but on this occasion I think Chelsea will open the game up a bit more. Harry Kane also loves a London derby - he’s scored 30 in 45 - and Hazard has 10 goals for club and country this season. Those two will have a big say.”

Chelsea's key man

Sam: “Jorginho. Everything goes through him. He’s the tempo setter, the leader on the pitch, the manager’s voice. You’ll see him pointing, gesticulating ‘get here, get there, get closer, move there, close this space’ and because he’s not exclusively a destructive player, it means Chelsea play more football. His arrival has also changed the role of N’Golo Kante.”

Key area

Sam: “For Spurs, someone will have to sit on Jorginho and if they do that successfully, Chelsea will be restricted. Obviously, keeping tabs on Hazard is also important. Chelsea have to watch out for the movement of Kane. We’re all well-versed in Harry Kane’s ability to pop up at any time to score a goal. I was lucky enough to follow England in the World Cup and I sat in Volgograd thinking that another tournament was going to start with a limp draw against a minnow, and then he pops up with the winning goal. We think we’re going to get relegated from our UEFA Nations League group and there he is again against Croatia on Sunday. He’s just the arch poacher - and he’s great at making space and creating opportunities for others as well. He’s a goal machine and if Chelsea stop him, they’ll be in a good position.”

Prediction

Sam: “I’m going for 2-2, plenty of goals and a draw. There are always goals when these two teams meet.”