Chelsea vs Tottenham: All you need to know aheaed of crucial London Derby
Chelsea are preparing for their last home fixture of the 2025/26 season as they welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Stamford Bridge in the second-last round of the Premier League campaign on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.
The match, originally scheduled earlier in the week, was delayed because Chelsea were involved in the FA Cup final. Although the Blues fell short at Wembley in a tightly contested encounter against Manchester City, clashes against Spurs have always carried extra intensity and are known for lifting the mood within the squad and among supporters.
European football ticket
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Chelsea still have an opportunity to secure European football through their final two league matches, while the added incentive of dragging a fierce rival closer to relegation trouble only adds more spice to the contest.
Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi has made an immediate impression since taking charge, guiding Spurs to notable victories over Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa. Despite Leeds United earning a late equaliser against them recently, West Ham United’s defeat to Newcastle means Spurs need just a single point at Stamford Bridge to mathematically guarantee Premier League survival.
The reverse meeting earlier this season ended in Chelsea’s favour courtesy of a lone strike from Joao Pedro. The Blues have also enjoyed success against De Zerbi in recent meetings dating back to his spell at Brighton & Hove Albion.
Interestingly, both teams have produced stronger displays away from home this season. Chelsea rank much higher on the road than at Stamford Bridge, while Tottenham have also struggled more in home fixtures compared to their away form.
History has produced several dramatic encounters between the two London rivals. Chelsea are chasing a sixth consecutive league win over Spurs and are hoping to complete another league double against them.
Chelsea injury updates
Interim head coach Calum McFarlane said a final decision on Levi Colwill would be made after assessing the defender’s condition following training. Colwill recently returned from a significant injury problem, prompting the coaching staff to carefully monitor his fitness.
McFarlane also shared updates on Romeo Lavia, Benoit Badiashile and Mamadou Sarr, who all missed the FA Cup final squad. Lavia reportedly suffered a minor setback before the match, while Badiashile and Sarr remain available for possible involvement in the remaining league fixtures.
Rivalry filled with memorable moments
Chelsea and Tottenham have shared a fierce rivalry stretching back more than a century. The Blues have recorded more league victories against Spurs than against any other opponent.
Among the unforgettable clashes was the dramatic 1975 relegation battle at White Hart Lane, Tottenham’s damaging defeat to Chelsea’s title hopes in earlier decades, and the famous 2016 “Battle of the Bridge,” where Chelsea fought back from two goals down to crush Spurs’ Premier League title ambitions.
That fiery encounter saw several Tottenham players booked as Chelsea mounted a comeback through goals from Gary Cahill and Eden Hazard, handing Leicester City the league crown.
Key statistics ahead of the derby
Chelsea have lost just once in their previous 40 home matches against Tottenham across all competitions since 1990. The Blues are also unbeaten in their final home league fixture for over two decades.
Cole Palmer has been influential against Spurs, contributing goals and assists in recent meetings, while Tottenham head into the derby having lost four consecutive Premier League matches against fellow London clubs.
The fixture is expected to play a huge role in deciding European qualification ambitions for Chelsea and survival hopes for Tottenham as another chapter is added to one of England’s fiercest rivalries.
