Follow Mail Sport’s live blog for the latest score, team news and updates from Sunday’s Premier League games of Chelsea vs Leicester City and Tottenham vs Bournemouth kicking off at 2pm.
‘Sanchez practicing passing’
By Harry Bamforth
Robert Sanchez has been doing plenty of passing practice in his warm-up… that’s Chelsea fans’ biggest worry when it comes to him.
Toothless Foxes
By Harry Bamforth
Where to start with Leicester, eh?
I have covered them a fair few times recently, and I bet I could just copy and paste all of those posts, and it would still be relevant.
The simple fact of the matter is that they have been woeful. Worse than that, in fact, horrendous.
Now, that may sound harsh, but their defeats against Brentford and West Ham were frankly embarrassing. I have seen more fight in a Ligue 1 title race, and that’s saying something.
I have had some choice words for Southampton for throwing in the towel recently, and I have the same feelings toward this Leicester side.
There are so many problems off the pitch that have caused the Foxes’ downfall, but you also have to question things on it.
They have lost 11 out of their last 12 Premier League games, with the other a victory away at Tottenham. Not exactly hard to do these days.
They have also failed to score in their last four league games – their worst goal drought as a team in eight years. Oh yeah, and they have conceded 12 goals in that time.
Today’s fixture already has the feeling of a foregone conclusion.
‘Bournemouth will arrive with confidence’
By Harry Bamforth
Harry Redknapp, former Spurs and Bournemouth boss, speaking to BetVictor:
This could be a thriller! Tottenham’s form has picked up a little bit and they’re obviously getting more and more players back from injury. It’s all a bit late in terms of the league campaign, they’ll be going all out to try and win the Europa League.
Bournemouth got beat last time out in the league at Brighton, but they should never have lost that one. After that dramatic win on penalties last week, they’ll arrive here with plenty of confidence.
How will Spurs recover from playing on Thursday against such an energetic, high-pressing side? It’s a bold call; I’m going for a 3-2 Bournemouth win! Evanilson is now back from injury to lead the line and that should make a difference and at least give Bournemouth another option in that attacking area.
Glorius London day
By Harry Bamforth
I know this post is meant to be about how beautiful the day is, but it’s actually just a cover to talk about this choice of shirt.
I’m sorry to whoever this is, but what were you thinking?
Obviously, I get the gist. He hates Arsenal, as do all Tottenham fans. But come on, it actually says ‘I ate Arsenal’.
Maybe that’s the scran all the Spurs fans below are eating…
Maresca: ‘Palmer is fine’
By Harry Bamforth
Enzo Maresca, Chelsea boss, speaking on Cole Palmer’s drought in front of goal:
When you score a goal you are probably more happy, also because your goals help the team to win – but overall Cole is fine. He’s happy.
He knows that he struggled to score goals in this moment but he is also aware that it is something normal and during a season it can happen. Watching him during the training session, he is fine and looks fantastic.
Can Palmer find his scoring shoes?
By Harry Bamforth
What is going on with Cole Palmer at the moment?
The guy normally bangs in the goals on a regular basis for Chelsea; it’s why he is so loved at the club and respected elsewhere.
But things just aren’t happening for the forward right now; his goal-scoring instinct has gone cold.
Palmer has not netted a goal or even provided an assist in any of his last six Premier League games. I know, it’s crazy.
In fact, what makes you realise how brilliant he has been since moving to west London is that it’s his longest drought since joining Chelsea in 2023.
When you think about it, six games isn’t actually that long. However, for somebody of Palmer’s quality, you just expect him to be doing the business.
Today feels like the kind of day when he can turn things around, though. He couldn’t have wished for a better opponent.
I say that, but I covered the Southampton game here, and he couldn’t hit a barn door with a banjo that day.
Surely his drought has to end at some point, right?
120 years of Chelsea
By Harry Bamforth
It’s a day of celebration in west London.
It will be 120 years since Chelsea were formed when the clock strikes midnight later on, so the club are marking the occasion with a bunch of fun activities ahead of kick-off.
Sadly, I can’t leave my keyboard to do any of them, but I did hear there is a lot of football-based games going on.
What a 120 years it has been, though, eh?
The last 20 of them have been especially successful for the club, and if they want to continue in that way, they will need to win today.
Can they mark the milestone in style?
‘Fofana’s first start since December 1’
By Kieran Gill At Stamford Bridge
The positive news is Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia are back. Fofana starts his first game since December 1. Lavia is on the bench with his last appearance coming on January 14.
Robert Sanchez is also in goal, surprisingly (though Enzo Maresca has used his No. 2 before against poor Premier League opponents).
Solanke faces former flame
By Harry Bamforth
It just feels fitting, doesn’t it?
After seven weeks on the sidelines, and an injury in his return in midweek, it seemed Dominic Solanke would miss the chance to meet his ex.
Most people don’t like seeing their former flames, especially when they are doing so well, but this isn’t a relationship; this is football.
So it only feels right that Solanke is fit enough to start against the side he spent four years adorning the shirt of.
The Englishman failed to score while facing Bournemouth in the reverse fixture, but he will be desperate to make that right today.
Can he inflict some damage on the Cherries?
Cherries aim for Spurs double
By Harry Bamforth
Bournemouth are vying to make a small bit of club history today.
I’m not sure why I am surprised at this, but I am. The Cherries have never done a league double over Tottenham.
Not even 100 years ago, before any of us were even a spec of an organism. Simply, they’ve never done it.
Well, Andoni Iraola’s side won the reverse fixture at the Vitality Stadium back in December, so they are halfway there.
Tottenham do have a great record at home against the Cherries, however, winning six of their seven meetings in north London.
Knowing what these two teams are like, though, I wouldn’t be able to guess how this one is going to end up.
Three weeks ago, I would have put my house on Bournemouth, but they are three games without a win, so I’m not sure now.
What I am sure of, though, is that I will be entertained.
‘Good to see Solanke fit’
By Matt Barlow At The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
We expected changes from Spurs today, after a poor display in the Europa League on Thursday and Postecoglou has made six. Romero, Porro, Bissouma, Sarr, Odobert and Solanke all in as he looks to match Bournemouth for pace and power.
Good to see Solanke fit to start after he hurt his back on his return from a knee injury off the bench against AZ Alkmaar. Son, Tel, and Maddison among those ousted.
Bournemouth Team News – TWO Changes
By Harry Bamforth
Just look at Milos Kerkez; he is buzzing that it’s matchday.
He obviously starts again, but Andoni Iraola does make two changes to the side that knocked Wolves out of the FA Cup on penalties.
He has to stick with the makeshift backline, but Justin Kluivert and Ryan Christie do return to the mix.
This is about the best line-up he can field, right now.
Tottenham Team News – Solanke STARTS
By Harry Bamforth
Now, this is the news Tottenham fans wanted to see.
Despite going off injured in his return against AZ Alkmaar, Dominic Solanke starts once again for Spurs.
There is also a return for Cristian Romero at centre-back, meaning Spurs finally have a back four made up of players in the correct positions.
This is unchartered territory.
Leicester Team News – THREE Changes
By Harry Bamforth
Ruud van Nistelrooy makes three changes to the side that were comfortably beaten by West Ham 10 days ago.
Conor Coady, Luke Thomas, and Patson Daka all come in while Jannik Vestergaard, Bobby De Cordova-Reid, and Facundo Buonanotte drop out.
My assumption is that Luke Thomas may be playing further up the pitch unless the Dutchman is switching to a back five.
I guess we will find out.
Chelsea Team News – Fofana STARTS
By Harry Bamforth
Oh, hello…
Chelsea fans must be smiling reading this as they can see Wesley Fofana has returned from injury to start.
Many thought that he could be out for the season after tearing his hamstring back in December, but obviously not.
There is also a start for Robert Sanchez, somewhat surprisingly. Enzo Maresca just can’t decide on his starting goalkeeper, can he?
‘James out through illness’
By Kieran Gill At Stamford Bridge
Reece James is not in the Chelsea squad today due to illness. Checked by the team doctor last night and this morning but unfortunately not well enough to be involved.
Maresca: ‘Ruud [van Nistelrooy] is a friend of mine
By Harry Bamforth
Enzo Maresca, Chelsea boss, speaking on Friday:
Every team is playing for some target. The ones that are playing for relegation, they are desperate. From now on, every game is important and counts a lot – and hopefully we can continue to win games.
Ruud [van Nistelrooy] is a friend of mine. We played together and then after we have been in contact. When Leicester called, he thought to call me and we had a chat. I said to him that Leicester is a fantastic club, run by fantastic people.
I have said many times, I’m 30 years in football and it was probably the best people in football that I’d met. So I told him many good, positive things about Leicester.
Blues continue top four push
By Harry Bamforth
The Premier League top four race this season has been so odd.
It just feels like nobody actually wants to take the initiative in it, bar maybe Nottingham Forest.
Whenever a team gets in the position to make a big leap into the Champions League spots, they go and lose. Case in point: Manchester City yesterday.
Chelsea have been similar this season, that’s for sure.
Enzo Maresca’s side have just been so inconsistent, throwing away chances when they come their way. Well, they can’t do that today.
The Blues have the chance to rise into fourth, two points above City. They are also facing a Leicester side who have lost 11 of their last 12 Premier League games.
Surely this is a foregone conclusion, right?
If you have watched Chelsea enough this season, you know to expect the unexpected.
What’s on the menu?
By Harry Bamforth
Now that we have done a quick recap of the weekend so far, shall we look forward to what’s on today?
I mean, of course, we should.
It feels like we are starting with two tasty appetisers down in London before the main course later in Manchester.
Here is the menu:
- Chelsea vs Leicester, 14:00 GMT
- Tottenham vs Bournemouth, 14:00 GMT
- Manchester United vs Arsenal, 16:30 GMT
What happened yesterday?
By Harry Bamforth
Shall we take a quick trip down memory lane to, well, erm… yesterday?
It was once again a fantastic day of football and one in which Liverpool won (again). It just keeps happening.
It started in incredible fashion as Nottingham Forest took a monster leap toward Champions League football with a win over Manchester City.
It wasn’t exactly a classic and seemed destined for a stalemate until Callum Hudson-Odoi popped up to crush City hearts.
Then came the leaders’ turn as they had to come from behind, somewhat surprisingly, as they allowed rock-bottom Southampton to take the lead at Anfield.
Everyone was stunned, not least Arne Slot. But the Dutchman must have given them a right rollicking at the break because everything changed after it.
Darwin Nunez started the comeback before Mohamed Salah buried two penalties in style to secure the victory and send Liverpool 16 points clear of Arsenal.
There was some drama down on the south coast as Brighton came from behind to beat Fulham deep into stoppage time. Joao Pedro was hacked down in the area and then buried a 98th-minute spot-kick to send the Amex into party mode.
At Selhurst Park, it was not quite as thrilling. It took until the 83rd minute for a goal to come, and it was Ismaila Sarr who provided it to secure the win for Crystal Palace over Ipswich.
Later in the day, Aston Villa nicked a cheeky little win away at Brentford while Wolves and Everton shared the points.
All caught up now?
Sunny Sunday
By Harry Bamforth
Oh, what a beautiful mornin’…
Yes, I know it’s now afternoon, but I just wanted to make a reference to Gordon MacRae’s 1943 banger.
It’s another stunning sunny day here in London, and when days are like these, you just have to talk about the weather.
I mean, I’m British – we love talking about the weather.
Anyway, this is not the Weather Channel; you have all come here to take in some Premier League football. It’s a big day in the capital, that’s for sure.
Chelsea host Leicester, looking to leapfrog Manchester City into the top four as the race for Europe hots up.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth travel to Tottenham knowing that they seriously need to pick up some points if they are going to make a charge for the Europa League spots.
At this time in the season, every game matters; there is a lot at stake. Well, unless you’re Spurs and you have little to play for but pride.
Anyway, enough of me blabbing, let’s get this show on the road.
Key Updates
Bournemouth Team News – TWO Changes
Tottenham Team News – Solanke STARTS
Leicester Team News – THREE Changes
Chelsea Team News – Fofana STARTS
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