Tottenham Hotspur Starting XI vs Chelsea: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup

Tottenham Hotspur Starting XI vs Chelsea: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup Tottenham Team News: Pedro Porro Boost Ahead of Chelsea Clash Tottenham go to Stamford Bridge with one clear lift, Pedro Porro is back in the frame. After a month out with a hamstring injury suffered in the 3-2 defeat to Aston Villa, the right-back is available again for the Chelsea match and that matters. Spurs have lacked depth, rhythm and continuity early in the season, so getting a first-choice full-back back into the squad is straightforwardly good news. Roberto De Zerbi confirmed Porro is in contention after the defender used the international break to visit a specialist in Spain. Tottenham beat Coventry 3-1 on Monday for their first Premier League win of the campaign, but Porro was not risked. Now he has a real chance of returning to the matchday group. Photo: IMAGO The bigger issue is on the opposite flank. Destiny Udogie was held back against Coventry and remains unavailable for Chelsea. De Zerbi was clear enough about it, saying: “With the medical staff, we are trying to find the best way for him. But after Manchester United, I have not worked with him, and it is a problem. We are lucky because in the same position we have solutions.” That is honest, and it tells you what you need to know. Udogie is not ready, Tottenham are adapting. Pedro Porro Return Gives Spurs a Timely Lift Porro’s possible comeback sharpens Tottenham’s options immediately. If he starts, Spurs regain a natural attacking outlet from right-back, someone who can carry the ball, overlap and help pin Chelsea back. If he only makes the bench, it still improves the squad balance. Either way, this is one of the few genuinely positive fitness developments for De Zerbi. There is also less concern than first feared over three players who came off against Coventry. Tosin Adarabioyo, Andy Robertson and Omar Marmoush are all expected to be fit. Marmoush was pictured in training and there is no indication of a serious issue. That is important because Spurs can ill afford more disruption in the back line or front three. Destiny Udogie Absence Adds to Injury List Tottenham still have a long list of absentees. Udogie misses out, Lucas Bergvall remains sidelined with a knee problem and Savio is also unavailable with a muscle injury. Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simons are progressing, but neither is close enough for immediate involvement. Mykhailo Mudryk is expected back soon from an ankle injury, though he would have been ineligible for this match anyway against his parent club Chelsea. Photo IMAGO That leaves De Zerbi juggling minutes and fitness levels. James Maddison made his first competitive start since May 2025 against Coventry, while Dejan Kulusevski returned for his first appearance in nearly 18 months from the bench. Both came through the game without a setback, but neither is guaranteed to be involved here. That caution is sensible. Returning players are useful only if they stay available. Tottenham vs Chelsea Prediction Hinges on Midfield Balance Rodrigo Bentancur will miss the second game of his three-match suspension after his red card against Manchester United for headbutting Luke Shaw. That is another problem in a squad already short of settled combinations. Midfield control matters at Stamford Bridge, and without Bentancur, De Zerbi may again have to rely on energy and structure rather than fluency. The likely Tottenham side looks close to this, Guglielmo Vicario replacement Antonin Kinsky in goal, Porro if fit, Jan Paul van Hecke, Micky van de Ven and Robertson across the back, Archie Gray, Sandro Tonali and Conor Gallagher in midfield, with Mohammed Kudus, Dominic Solanke and Marmoush in attack. For Spurs, the equation is simple. Pedro Porro back helps. Destiny Udogie out hurts. The rest is about surviving another awkward injury spell and seeing whether a win over Coventry was a genuine step forward or just a brief correction.