According to a report by Football London on Thursday, October 22, 2026, Xabi Alonso is preparing for a crucial period as Chelsea prepare to face Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Saturday, followed by difficult matches against Liverpool and Manchester United.

Chelsea have regained momentum after securing back-to-back league victories, a run that has lifted them to fourth place in the standings. The positive results have boosted confidence among the club’s supporters, although Tottenham’s recent improvement means the Blues must approach the derby with caution.

The Chelsea manager will also be without two important players for the upcoming fixture. Emi Martinez and captain Reece James are unavailable after undergoing surgery for jaw and knee injuries, respectively, leaving Alonso with additional concerns as he finalises his plans for the weekend.

Despite these setbacks, former England international Peter Crouch and former Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell expect the Blues to defeat Tottenham at Stamford Bridge. Crouch, speaking on That Peter Crouch Podcast, argued that Chelsea possess enough attacking quality to overcome their opponents.

“Chelsea are clear favourites. Spurs have been poor, although they did win against Coventry. Such a big win for them,” Crouch remarked, referring to Tottenham’s 3-1 triumph in their previous match.

While acknowledging Tottenham’s encouraging result, Crouch maintained that Chelsea’s home advantage and goalscoring ability would give them the upper hand. He confidently predicted a 3-1 victory for Alonso’s team, saying: “I still fancy Chelsea at home. They score goals; I’m going to go, Chelsea 3-1.”

Sidwell shares Crouch’s confidence in Chelsea’s ability to win the contest. He believes the Blues’ strong form and home advantage will help them secure maximum points, although he recognises that Tottenham could pose a threat with key creative players returning to action.

“Tottenham have Kulusevski and Maddison back; they’ve missed that creativity. But Chelsea are flying; they are at home. Clean sheet. Chelsea 2-0,” Sidwell stated.

Chelsea’s dominance in recent meetings between the two sides also gives Alonso reasons to be optimistic. The Stamford Bridge outfit have recorded 14 victories in their last 18 encounters with Tottenham, while Spurs have won just twice over the same period.

The Blues have also beaten their London rivals in their last six consecutive meetings, including both encounters last season. This impressive record could further strengthen Chelsea’s belief that they can continue their dominance over Tottenham.

Tottenham’s recent victory will undoubtedly provide them with renewed confidence ahead of Saturday’s showdown. However, Chelsea’s attacking quality and current momentum could prove decisive. Alonso must still ensure his side maintains its defensive discipline to avoid giving Tottenham opportunities and preserve their recent winning form.