This Sunday could pose a tough challenge for Tottenham as they square off against Chelsea.

Recently, some Spurs fans voiced their frustration with Ange Postecoglou following the Bournemouth game on Thursday, reflecting their feelings.

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Yet, I’m uncertain about the ideal lineup or the kind of performance we can expect from the team.

Postecoglou has been faced with numerous injuries, particularly in the defensive line. Key players such as Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario are currently sidelined.

Nonetheless, they delivered a standout performance against Manchester City, even though their showings against Crystal Palace, Ipswich, and Bournemouth have left much to be desired.

They are also now contending with injuries to Ben Davies.

Spurs have not yet formed a cohesive squad. Even when fit, the starting lineup remains unpredictable.

This lack of solidity makes them defensively vulnerable, and if Archie Gray plays alongside Radu Dragusin, confidence is not high, particularly since their full-backs are known to advance forward, leaving the two central defenders exposed.

While Archie is a promising young player, placing him at centre-back against a strong Chelsea squad will be a significant challenge.

If I were in Postecoglou’s situation, I would favor a more defensively responsible approach.

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Employing an aggressive attack is not advisable at this point.

He will need to prioritize a robust midfield, possibly sacrificing some attacking elements for greater defensive security in front of that center-back pairing.

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This could involve a five-man midfield with Dominic Solanke as the lone striker. Postecoglou must avoid being overly exposed.

Instructions for the full-backs should be to refrain from rash forward movements, focusing instead on maintaining a solid defensive foundation.

Remaining competitive and patient will be essential. If opportunities present themselves, they must be seized — but that’s contingent on their availability.

I understand the extent of this rivalry for both sets of fans. However, if Tottenham supporters increase the pressure on the players, it could inadvertently benefit Chelsea.

The Blues will be looking to capitalize on any momentum following the events of Thursday night.

Chelsea certainly enters this match as the favored team, radiating confidence and momentum. Initially this season, they appeared to be struggling for cohesion, with little expectation for success.

A notable challenge emerges when too many players feel entitled to playtime, potentially creating friction in the dressing room.

Nevertheless, they seem to have tackled those concerns and are now performing well. The manager deserves accolades for nurturing belief within the squad, making significant achievements seem possible.

The team demonstrated their potential by netting five goals against Southampton recently, showcasing that everyone is in sync with their objectives.

Cole Palmer is stepping up as a vital component, and Enzo Fernandez is beginning to shine, finally showcasing his skills as a World Cup champion.

Moises Caicedo is also proving his worth, reinforcing their midfield strength.

Initially, I had doubts regarding Nicolas Jackson’s acquisition, thinking he wasn’t suited for the role. He almost joined Bournemouth for £20 million, but that deal fell through due to injury, leading me to believe Bournemouth had sidestepped a potential misstep.

Now, Jackson is demonstrating his value, and credit goes to the manager for instilling self-belief in him, resulting in commendable performances.

If Chelsea maintains this form, they will firmly place themselves in the title race.

D-DAY FOR GARY AND JULEN

A tense night is in store for both managers at the London Stadium on Monday.

In my view, it’s still somewhat early for drastic actions, although West Ham and Wolves are both struggling.

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I hold Gary O’Neil in high regard; he has managed commendably despite injuries and player exits.

His record at Bournemouth was admirable, but he needs to secure a couple of wins at Wolves shortly.

I have watched many matches where they seemed quite unfortunate. For the first time during the encounter with Everton, the fans turned against him. This can heighten pressure on the manager — and the players can feel it.

I firmly believe Gary possesses remarkable potential and intelligence.

His contributions at Bournemouth were impressive, and last year at Wanderers was notable as well, but he could use a bit of luck to change his current circumstance.

Julen Lopetegui’s situation at West Ham feels familiar. Much revolves around recruitment. I thought their summer signings were encouraging, but striker Niclas Fullkrug has hardly played due to injury — although he did score a late goal against Leicester.

I suspect both managers would settle for a draw, allowing them to stay in their positions and offering some relief. Losing would undoubtedly place them under heavy scrutiny.

If Wolves can quiet their fans, any escalating agitation within the crowd could be problematic for the home team.

GUNNERS ARE SET TO WIN

THERE has been a chorus of criticism aimed at Arsenal for their perceived dependence on set-pieces for scoring.

Dimitar Berbatov even went as far as to liken them to a modern-day Stoke after their match with Manchester United.

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Ultimately, their achievements are rooted in having players who actively seek to attack the ball with keen awareness and flow.

The central defenders, Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba, possess both stature and a burning desire to score.

Instead of criticism, attention should shift to effectively marking their primary attacking threats.

Too frequently, I see set-piece situations where forwards are matched against defenders — which is ill-advised, as forwards are typically not adept at defending and can be easily outmaneuvered. It’s critical that your centre-backs manage their designated responsibilities.

Proper setup should feature a strong header at the near post, coverage at the back post, and possibly allow a free man to roam based on the ball’s trajectory.

During my time at West Ham, I had Julian Dicks, an exceptional header of the ball. I would leave him unmarked to start centrally, timing his run to glance the ball away.

If I were pitted against this Arsenal squad, I would prefer Sol Campbell and Sylvain Distin, who both played for me at Portsmouth, as my central defenders.

Sol was an imposing player; if he marked you, winning the ball was nearly impossible. Sylvain was also an excellent athlete.

With Arsenal, vigilance is paramount as they can strike from multiple angles.

Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard are standout players. Odegaard orchestrates the attack, while Bukayo threatens constantly. This is why I expect Arsenal to challenge Liverpool fiercely.

They are indisputably more than just an effective set-piece side; they are an exceptional team that excels at capitalizing on such scenarios.

When delivery opportunities arise, they possess a roster eager to score. Fulham must perform at their highest level when the Gunners come to visit.

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