Tottenham Prepares for Critical London Derby Against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge
Tottenham Hotspur finds itself in a favorable position this gameweek, thanks to results elsewhere. Roberto De Zerbi’s team received a significant boost in their quest to avoid relegation.
The latest advantage came as West Ham suffered a 3-1 defeat to Newcastle United on Sunday. This loss prevented the Hammers from overtaking Tottenham in the standings. A win would have propelled them into 17th place, but now Nuno Espirito Santo’s side is teetering on the edge of relegation.
As a result, Tottenham only needs a single point from its final two matches to ensure Premier League safety. The Lilywhites are set to face fierce rivals Chelsea on Tuesday evening and will aim to secure their top-flight status at Stamford Bridge.
Roberto De Zerbi Updates Team News Ahead of Chelsea Match
Several Tottenham players have been ruled out for the season, but De Zerbi remains hopeful about the return of Guglielmo Vicario and Dominic Solanke for the last two fixtures.
Vicario has been sidelined since undergoing hernia surgery during the March international break, with understudy Antonin Kinsky stepping up admirably in his absence. The Italian international has missed the last five matches, although he was seen training over the weekend.
Solanke, on the other hand, has not played since sustaining a hamstring injury during the first half against Wolves last month and has missed the last two games. His participation for the remainder of the season remains uncertain.
In his pre-match press conference, De Zerbi shared updates on the fitness of Vicario and Solanke.
“Vicario is available to play. I’ll decide tomorrow. Solanke is not good yet. Not available. He feels something, and I don’t want to take the risk for this game. We hope for Sunday, he can be available for one part of the game,” De Zerbi said (h/t Football London).
Vicario or Kinsky: Who Should Start in Goal Against Chelsea?
De Zerbi faces a tough decision on whether to maintain Kinsky as the starting goalkeeper or reinstate Vicario. While De Zerbi confirmed earlier that Vicario is the club’s No. 1, he chose to keep his selection options private during Monday’s press conference.
Kinsky’s impressive performances have been crucial in Vicario’s absence, allowing him to secure vital points for his team against Wolves, Aston Villa, and Leeds United. His remarkable save against Sean Longstaff’s shot during stoppage time last week showcased his abilities.
Considering Kinsky’s strong form and Vicario’s lack of match fitness, De Zerbi might opt to maintain the current goalkeeping setup for the remaining games.