With Leicester City’s draw on Sunday, Tottenham Hotspur have been handed a chance to stay in the title race for another week -- but they must go to Stamford Bridge and beat Chelsea to do it. That’s a monumental task, but given all that Spurs have accomplished this season, it would just be the latest in a long line of such achievements.
Chelsea vs. Tottenham Hotspur 2016 live stream: Start time, TV schedule and how to watch online
Leicester’s draw gives Spurs a chance to survive in the title race for a little while longer.
Chelsea will be eager to ruin the dreams of one of their rivals, however, and knocking Tottenham out of the title race for good with a win of their own would be a huge feather in their cap, a high note in what’s largely been a dismal season for the former EPL champions. They’d be ill-pleased to hand this season’s title to Leicester in such a manner, but that bitter pill would be greatly sweetened by making sure that Spurs don’t find a way to win it themselves.
Key player -- Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)
Facing a need to win at all costs, Tottenham need Kane to step up more than they ever have before. The prolific striker has put in tremendous performances time and again this season, but under the circumstances, the pressure has never been higher. Kane is very, very good and has dealt with pressure well during his short career, but he’s never faced a situation quite this desperate, and he’s still very young. How well he copes is a mystery, but one we’ll soon see a solution for.
Key matchup -- Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea) vs. Mousa Dembele (Tottenham Hotspur)
Dembele’s attacking prowess has been incredibly valuable to Spurs this season, but his defensive qualities have been quietly just as impressive. Those skills will be put to the test against Fabregas, who has again emerged as a valuable piece of Chelsea’s attack, pulling the strings behind their talented front line to try and unlock things for his teammates. With Eric Dier uncertain to be able to play, Dembele is going to need to step up to try to contain Fabregas -- and while he’s not an outright, traditional defensive mid, Dembele’s more disruptive play style might be just the ticket to get the job done.
Chelsea injuries and suspensions
Out: Loic Remy, Kurt Zouma In doubt: Gary Cahill, John Terry
Tottenham Hotspur injuries and suspensions
Out: Nabil Bentaleb In doubt: Eric Dier
Match Date/Time: Monday, 3 p.m. ET, 8 p.m. local
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London, England
TV: NBCSN (U.S. - English), NBC Universo (U.S. - Spanish), Sportsnet regional networks (Canada), Sky Sports 1/HD (U.K.)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S.), Sportsnet World Now (Canada), Sky Go (U.K.)
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