Chelsea v Spurs - League Cup Final Preview

Chelsea will be wary of Harry Kane

Good Morning Vietnam, I mean sports fans, as we look forward to this afternoons Carling Cup Final between Chelsea and Spurs

London rivals Tottenham and Chelsea clash at Wembley on Sunday afternoon for the first major domestic trophy of the season.

Seven years have passed since either side lifted the trophy. Back then, it was Juande Ramos' Tottenham that defeated Avram Grant's Blues in the final.

With an eight-goal thriller between the teams fresh in the memory from New Year's Day hopes are high for Sunday's showpiece.

Paths to Wembley

Spurs have been forced to leave their North London home just once during their run to the final - for the 2-2 semi final second leg draw at Sheffield United.

A second-half rally from the Blades saw Che Adams score a quick-fire double that almost resulted in extra-time.

Christian Eriksen has been a consistent threat this season and the Dane scored his second of the game late on to send Spurs to Wembley.

Previously they had overcome Nottingham Forest, Brighton and Newcastle at White Hart Lane.

Chelsea too had to battle in the last four. A 1-1 draw at Anfield pleased Jose Mourinho in the semi final first leg but Liverpool refused to buckle in the return clash and only an extra-time goal from Branislav Ivanovic made the tie secure.

The game was of notable for Diego Costa's stamp on Emre Can that earned the Spaniard a three-game ban.

Chelsea had taken care of lower league opposition in the form of Bolton, Shrewsbury and Derby to advance to the semi-finals.

Previous Meetings

The teams have met twice in the Premier League already this season, with home advantage proving crucial on both occasions.

Spurs made a bright opening at Stamford Bridge in early December but once Eden Hazard had put Chelsea in front after 19 minutes the result was never in doubt. Goals from Didier Drogba and Loic Remy helped the Blues claim a resounding 3-0 victory.

A month later and Chelsea would again score three times but that was not enough to avoid defeat at White Hart Lane.

Costa fired the visitors in front but Harry Kane inspired his team to a comeback when he levelled on the half-hour.

Danny Rose put the hosts in front on 44 minutes and Andros Townsend made it three from the spot before the break.

The teams exchanged four second-half goals as Spurs recorded a deserved success and one that will surely give them confidence for Sunday's final.

Current Form

It hasn't been an ideal preparation for either camp.

Tottenham exited the Europa League in Italy on Thursday night and needed a stoppage-time leveller from Kane to avoid defeat against West Ham last Sunday.

Mauricio Pochettino's side have failed to win any of their four games since defeating Arsenal in the North London derby at the beginning of February.

Chelsea too have been more laboured in recent weeks, scoring just seven times in their last six outings in all competitions since Bradford stunned them in the FA Cup.

That run culminated with two points dropped at home to struggling Burnley last weekend although Mourinho's men have enjoyed the benefit of a week off since that game.

Star Men

Harry Kane - This is becoming something of a fairytale season for the 21-year-old Spurs striker. Kane has already scored 22 times in all competitions and he showed on New Year's Day that he can ruffle Chelsea's feathers.

Momentum is on his side and if Tottenham triumph on Sunday the chances are Kane will play a key role.

Eden Hazard - The Belgian is in outstanding form with 13 goals to his name this season including those at Derby and Liverpool in the League Cup run.

Cesc Fabregas started the season in superb form but Hazard has come to the boil at the right time and Spurs will need to pay him close attention on Sunday or live with the consequences.

Verdict

Scoring five times against Chelsea eight weeks ago will ensure that Spurs have no shortage of belief for this game.

However, Tottenham have stumbled badly during February and come into the game in poor form. Travelling to Fiorentina for another setback on Thursday cannot have helped Pochettino's preparations.

His opposite number, meanwhile, has enjoyed a full week to prepare Chelsea as they seek their first trophy since the second-coming of Mourinho.

The Blues look better placed to win on Sunday.