Tottenham fans will not enjoy Paul Merson’s London derby prediction

Tottenham Hotspur fans are desperate for revenge against Chelsea after their dramatic 4-3 defeat earlier this season. But Paul Merson’s latest prediction won’t sit well with them.

It doesn’t often get bigger than derby games in a season. For Spurs, a Premier League campaign brings several of them, but Thursday’s clash against Chelsea is one of the biggest.

The Blues already have the bragging rights this season, having edged a chaotic 4-3 victory in the reverse fixture.

Revenge will be on the minds of Tottenham fans, who will be hoping for a much-needed response, especially after a frustrating season that has seen their side struggle for consistency.

With European qualification still on the line for Chelsea, this is a crucial encounter. Tottenham, on the other hand, will be looking to make a statement, but Merson’s outlook on the game won’t sit well with the Lilywhites’ faithful.

Paul Merson backs Chelsea to see off Tottenham

While Tottenham Hotspur will be aiming for their 51st victory over Chelsea, Paul Merson isn’t convinced they’ll get it.

Writing in his column for Sportskeeda, the former Arsenal man said: “This is Chelsea’s main game of the season. It’s definitely high stakes but still a fixture they are expected to win!

“We always wait for Tottenham to come good, saying stuff like, ‘Oh, they will get better when they have all their players fit’, but it never happens!

“Chelsea have not been great this season, but I’d be shocked if they don’t win this game. It’s a must-win game for them too.

“I expect Manchester City and Newcastle to win this gameweek and Forest will also get a point. Now that puts pressure on Chelsea in the race for top four. If they don’t beat Tottenham, they could slip to sixth in the table.

“Cole Palmer has hit a bit of a brick wall with his form now. Nicolas Jackson returning to the line-up will be a boost to him. But there is no doubt that Palmer has to get back in form if Chelsea want to finish inside the top four.

“Believe me, the remaining fixtures are not very kind to Chelsea. If they are not careful, they could be in big trouble. That game against Forest on the final day of the season could end up being hugely significant, who would’ve thought that at the start of this campaign?”

Paul Merson’s Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur

No more excuses for Ange Postecoglou anymore

Ange Postecoglou is finally expected to have his full-strength squad for the first time since the season began.

The Australian will have his first-choice centre-back pairing of Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero ready to start.

Kevin Danso, Ben Davies and Archie Gray will be additional depth, while Radu Dragusin remains the only long-term absentee due to an ACL injury.

Richarlison has also been spotted in training, hinting at a return, while Dejan Kulusevski has dropped clues about his availability this Thursday after being seen without a protective boot in a recent social media post.

This leaves Postecoglou with no excuses—Spurs must show improvement. Thursday’s derby is more than just a London rivalry. It’s about pride, momentum, and proving that Tottenham can step up when it matters. Now, it’s over to them.

• READ MORE: One big comeback, two crucial changes – Tottenham’s strongest XI after international break

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