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Why Chelsea fans can be optimistic about Tottenham clash despite suspensions and injuries

Why Chelsea fans can be optimistic about Tottenham clash despite suspensions and injuries

When Chelsea take on Tottenham at Wembley on Sunday, Blues fans will be right to feel a little nervous.

After all, Antonio Conte will have a depleted squad to choose a starting XI from just a week after his Premier League champions suffered a shock 3-2 loss at home to Burnley.

It was that game - the Blues' first of the season - which saw captain Gary Cahill and midfielder Cesc Fabregas receive the red cards which will rule them out of the London derby this weekend.

To make matters worse for Conte, Chelsea's star man Eden Hazard remains out with an ankle injury while summer signing Tiemoue Bakayoko is unlikely to be match fit after undergoing minor knee surgery at the end of last season.

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Pedro missed the game against Burnley with an ankle injury sustained against Arsenal in the Community Shield, which could mean Conte once again having to find a replacement for his first-choice winger.

And despite Chelsea ordering Diego Costa back to Cobham for training, the wantaway striker continues to stay put in Brazil.

What this means is that Conte has a major selection dilemma ahead of the crucial game against Spurs, who won their opening match of the campaign 2-0 away to Newcastle.

Chelsea starting XI vs Burnley

Yet there is cause for optimism for Chelsea fans.

Although Cahill's absence will be felt in defence, the club captain can be replaced by academy graduate Andreas Christensen, who did well when called upon following the 31-year-old's red card against Burnley last Saturday.

Antonio Rudiger had his first outing as a Chelsea player in that match and, coupled with Victor Moses' return from suspension, a back line of Rudiger, Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta would be the most likely at Wembley.

Granted, it would be a makeshift one but when Chelsea beat Tottenham 4-2 in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley just four months ago they did so without Cahill - who was suffering from gastroenteritis.

That win for Chelsea - the last time they played Spurs - also came without Hazard and Costa in the starting line-up with Willian proving to be the key man for the Blues early on.

Yes, Hazard and Fabregas were brought on to inspire the Blues to a derby victory but that result showed Conte can pull off a win over Spurs without some of his star men.

To add, it came just a week after Chelsea had lost 2-0 to Manchester United at Old Trafford - with Conte demonstrating his ability to haul his team back up and produce a reaction from his players.

Chelsea starting XI vs Tottenham (FA Cup semi-final)

Then there is the issue of Spurs' form at Wembley - which Chelsea will undoubtedly be hoping to use in their favour on Sunday.

Mauricio Pochettino's men could only secure one win at the ground last season, a 3-1 victory against CSKA Moscow in the Champions League, with the north Londoners having the added pressure this Sunday of the Chelsea clash being their first home game of the season.

The fact that Chelsea beat Spurs in the FA Cup semi-final, overcame their rivals 2-1 at Stamford Bridge last November and, of course, ended Tottenham's hopes of winning the league last May with that 2-2 draw will be used as reminders by Conte that his team can pull off a big result at Wembley.

Spurs did beat Chelsea 2-0 in January, although that victory came at White Hart Lane, and they will certainly be looking to try and pounce on Conte's lack of options in midfield this weekend despite the absences of Kyle Walker and Danny Rose.

With no Nemanja Matic or Nathaniel Chalobah, both of whom were sold by Chelsea this summer; with Bakayoko not fit and Fabregas suspended, Conte will have to choose who to deploy next to N'Golo Kante.

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Possible Chelsea starting XI vs Tottenham (Premier League)

One option could be David Luiz while Conte could opt to have promising academy graduate Jeremie Boga start in place of Pedro, as he did against Burnley.

The other choice would be to start Alvaro Morata - who impressed with a goal and an assist against Burnley - on the left wing and Michy Batshuayi up front - an option Conte twice used in pre-season and to good effect.

It would hardly make for an ideal line-up for Chelsea in such a huge game and will be an aspect Pochettino will be keen to exploit.

But the Blues did show against Tottenham in April that they can pull off a result at Wembley without their strongest XI.

And that should ease the nerves of Chelsea fans.

Until Sunday, at least.