Tuchel’s first real test is against a faltering master…

Chelsea did something the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool failed to do this season: beat Burnley at home. It was Tuchel’s second game in charge as he sinks his teeth into his new task and to his credit, the Blues were brilliant. Burnley’s only shot came in the 94th minute of the game, and that stat alone is worth praising.

Tuchel’s first real test comes against Mourinho’s Tottenham whose early promise seems to have faded. The understandable defeat to Liverpool was followed up by a terrible defeat away to Brighton, which was Brighton’s first home win of the season. Their confidence is weak, their main striker is injured and their main summer signing has flopped. Yes, I am talking about Gareth Bale here. He started the game at Brighton, only to create the sole change and produce zero attempts on goal. It’s not good enough, not for the Premier League, not for Spurs, not for Real Madrid and certainly not for Jose Mourinho. Where Bale will be playing next season is anyone’s guess, but the USA is always the perfect retirement home.

It’s probably the perfect time for Chelsea to take on Spurs as the momentum here is with the Blues. The clubs are tied on 33 points, though Tottenham have played one less game. Spurs’ early shine and title hopes are now binned but they do need a push for the top four, as do Chelsea. It’s Tuchel’s only mission as a new manager, and he’s got that “Mourinho 2004” vintage vibe about him. It does sound like we are describing a wine, but this particular bottle did not get better with age, it would seem.

Tuchel is a man who believes in himself, and talks up his own ambitions. He wants to “build a side no one wants to play against” and after Lampard’s approach, that sort of maturity will help his players bond further and beat their own chests. As Mourinho pointed out, it’s hard to judge Tuchel, as managing PSG in Ligue 1 is far from the Premier League, so this is his time to prove his doubters wrong. 

We’re going for a Chelsea win here, priced at 5/4 or 2.25 as even with Jose’s expertise at parking busses, Tuchel’s momentum and element of surprise might just catch him out – and sometimes the psychology of a particular match is enough to give one team that edge!

Under 2.5 goals is available at 22/25 or 1.88 and you can combine that with a Chelsea win at 4/1 or 5.00