Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has asked for his side to use their terrible Stamford Bridge record as motivation ahead of their clash with league leadersChelsea on Saturday.
Spurs are without a win in their previous29 attempts at Stamford Bridge and are going into Saturday's match against Antonio Conte's high-flying bluesas underdogs, despite their status as the Premier League's only unbeaten team.
In an interview with theEvening StandardPochettino has insisted the game is as much a challenge for him as well as his players:"It must be motivation for us. It's a very good challenge.It's a big motivation for me - personally - and it must be for the players too."
Although Spurs are still unbeaten, it isChelsea who go into the game in better form. In an impressive six game unbeatenrun the West Londonershave scored a total of15 goals and have not conceded at all.
"It's a good challenge for us. They have a great manager that I know very well." Admitted Pochettino.
"They are not only in England but in Europe one of the most in-form teams."
Last time the two teams faced each other, the game was marred by disciplinary problems for both sides. In the game dubbed the'Battle of the Bridge' a total of 12 yellow cards were handed out in the game, followed by substantialfines for both sides.
It hasn't gone unnoticed that Chelsea's fine form has coincided with manager Antonio Conte's decision to move to a 3-4-3 formation. The Italian previously used the formation in his Serie A domination, with former side Juventus.
Tottenham will have to performat their very best In order tocompete againstChelsea's new formation. They gointo the game having just been knocked out of the Champions League, with a abysmal performance in Monaco.
1990 - @GaryLineker was the last Spurs player to score a winning goal at Stamford Bridge v Chelsea in Feb 1990. Wait https://t.co/vEDbSiXnAJ
The North Londoners will, however, be looking to keep their unbeaten run in the Premier Leagueon Saturday. Two very late Harry Kane goals against West Ham secured Spurs allthree points in last weekend's game.
The young Englishman has scored a total of 18 goals in 22 London derbies and will be eagerto test himself up against a star-studded Chelsea defence.
It will be interesting to seewhether the gamewill be another feisty encounter, but one thing for certain is that withtwo of the Premier League's best sides going up against each other, the match is sure to be a great one.