Tottenham v Chelsea - What are the key battles on Saturday?

It's a simple question but in your view what are the answers?

Tottenham take on Chelsea at White Hart Lane on Saturday lunchtime and with both sides in form and scoring goals, we have a potential cracker on the cards without question.

Both sides will be looking to be tight at the back and to take advantage of their attacking flair to open the door and create chances but what are the key battles on Saturday that could have a major influence on the outcome of this one?

Here was the starting eleven for both sides in their last Premier League games:

Tottenham:

• 25 Lloris
• 05 Vertonghen
• 13 Gallas
• 28 Walker Booked
• 33 Caulker
• 02 Dempsey (Sigurdsson - 82' )
• 07 Lennon (Townsend - 86' )
• 11 Bale
• 30 Sandro
• 18 Defoe (Adebayor - 68' )
• 19 Dembele

Substitutes

• 24 Friedel
• 20 Dawson
• 06 Huddlestone
• 22 Sigurdsson
• 27 Falque
• 31 Townsend
• 10 Adebayor  

Chelsea:

• 01 Cech
• 02 Ivanovic (Azpilicueta - 78' )
• 03 Cole
• 04 David Luiz
• 26 Terry
• 08 Lampard (Ramires - 67' )
• 10 Mata
• 11 Oscar
• 12 Mikel (Romeu - 82' )
• 17 Hazard
• 09 Torres

Substitutes

• 22 Turnbull
• 24 Cahill
• 28 Azpilicueta
• 34 Bertrand
• 06 Romeu
• 07 Ramires
• 13 Moses 

Now for me I can see Ramires starting in this one in the place of Frank Lampard which is saying something but as per the game at the Emirates I would take it as pretty much 100% certain. 

So where are the key battles? 

In my opinion there are four key areas on the pitch on Saturday and each of those areas WILL have a major impact on the game. 

Ivanovic v Bale 

Some people commented on my starting eleven post yesterday that they would like to see Cesar Azpilicueta start in the place of Ivanovic because of his pace but for me this is not the game for him to make his Premier League start. 

We all know that Bale is all about his pace, he likes to knock the ball ahead of him and chase after it often out running defenders. The thing is, Ivanovic has pace about him but also his strength and I believe Bale will not beat him one on one that often tomorrow. I could be wrong but his a big lump to shift out of the way and Ivanovic needs to make his mark with Bale early if he is going to get on top in this one. 

Going the other way Bale needs to stop Ivanovic going forward. With a few goals to his name already this season it's obvious that when Chelsea are in possession of the ball, both our full backs are asked to get forward and support out wide. 

If Ivanovic can force Bale backwards more often than having to defend the other way, that's half the job done. 

Cole v Lennon 

Forget all the crap you read about Ashley Cole, when it comes to playing his football he is still the best left back in the country and will be looking forward to going up against Lennon tomorrow.  

Once again, Lennon is all about pace and Cole needs to ensure he doesn't give Lennon a free run at him with plenty of space in behind. If as expected JT takes his four game ban, David Luiz needs to make sure he is aware of covering in behind Cole tomorrow.  

Just like I have pointed out above, Cole is also encouraged to get forward and support our attackers when we have the ball. Aaron Lennon needs to be aware of Cole's forward runs and to cover. 

I am repeating myself here but it's true. If Cole can force Lennon backwards more often than having to defend against him in 90 minutes, that's half the job done. 

Mikel v Dempsey.  

Mikel takes some stick from Chelsea fans he really does, but for me he is an integral part of our formation with someone alongside him and the three attacking midfielders in front of him. As the only defensive minded lynch pin in midfield, he provides cover to our defence and with Clint Dempsey playing in the hole behind Jermaine Defoe, Mikel will need to ensure he dominates him. 

Dempsey is all about getting into the box and scoring goals and as Chelsea fans we all know what he is capable of from his time playing for Fulham. He is a natural threat in the air and Chelsea also need to be aware of that. 

Mikel's job tomorrow is to break up the play in midfield and give it simple and early. The number of times he actually does that in games goes un-noticed and he will need to be at his best on Saturday. 

If Mikel can keep Dempsey quiet, it will be a big plus for Chelsea. 

Mata  v Sandro.  

According to the comments I have received from Tottenham fans this week on here , it seems as though I have misjudged Sandro and the qualities he has in their midfield. I tell you one thing, he will need to be at his very best to keep Juan Mata quiet!. 


Forget Eden Hazard and Oscar, it's Mata that really makes Chelsea tick and if he gets on the ball with time, space and freedom he can really, really hurt Spurs. 


The big feature of Chelsea's attacking play this season has been the freedom of our movement in the final third and Mata has literally been everywhere. He pops up deep, out wide, makes runs ahead of Torres looking for the killer pass or looks to play it himself. 


Everything comes from Mata as far as our attacking play goes. Don't get me wrong, at different stages Eden Hazard will pop up through the middle or Oscar. Sandro needs to pick up whoever is playing in the hole to stop them from creating chances but it's in this area that Chelsea could literally rip Spurs wide open on Saturday. 


Think about it, Spurs will have Dempsey there with Bale and Lennon static out wide as part of their attacking three. Mikel will know all he has to do is take care of Dempsey as Bale or Lennon will not swap positions with him. 


Sandro has a real problem in front of him at White Hart Lane on Saturday with these three chopping and changing. 


Whatever happens, Juan Mata will have a major influence on this one and Spurs need to stop him. 


I could have selected other areas of the pitch in this one as key areas but I firmly believe that these four areas I have chosen are key. Defoe up against Luiz and Cahill or Torres against Gallas and Caulker. I don't believe these are areas that will have a major influence. 


I could chose the Spurs wing backs up against whoever finds themselves out wide but again, these aren't key areas for me. 


Enough from me as I feel I have made my point based on my own opinion. So I am handing the comments below over to you the Chelsea, Tottenham or neutral football fans to see where YOU believe the key area(s) will be. 


Who do you think is key to winning this one and why? I would love to hear from as many of you as possible on this one!


It's going to be a cracking game of football!


Carefree & KTBFFH!