Less than two months after the 5-0 victory over Newcastle United that left them ten points clear of fourth-placed Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur's season has taken an almighty nose dive. Their sole victory in that time came against Stevenage in the FA Cup - and that at the second attempt - and they have added a solitary point to the 53 they had accrued in the league.

The late Rafael van der Vaart header that salvaged a 1-1 draw with Stoke City on Wednesday night was not enough to prevent arch-rivals Arsenal overtaking them in the table and, though Harry Redknapp has spoken bullishly about his side's chances of reclaiming third, Spurs are now left to look anxiously over their shoulders at fifth-placed Chelsea.

The point they rescued against Stoke at least saw them extend their advantage over Chelsea to five points, with the Blues having succumbed to a late defeat at Manchester City, but Wednesday night's events have done little to shake the feeling that the momentum is with the Blues. Under Roberto Di Matteo, Chelsea had won each of their four games in all competitions prior to their visit to Eastlands, and confidence remains high at Stamford Bridge.

"Are we confident of making the Champions League? Absolutely," Di Matteo said after the loss to City. "We still believe and we still have confidence we can make it. We'd like to finish at least fourth. We will try to do that. If we can manage anything better, then that is a bonus."

Redknapp, meanwhile, was striking a less positive tone after his side's draw with Stoke. "We just seem to have lost our way a little bit," he said. "We are not playing with quite the same fluency that we were a few weeks ago. It's difficult to put your finger on it. One or two of us look a bit jaded."

A clash with their bitter London rivals would not appear to be the tonic for their woes. Redknapp has lost every one of his last eight trips to Chelsea, while Tottenham have not won at Stamford Bridge since 1990, but he remains hopeful of securing a result.

"We've got Chelsea now on Saturday for a big game so we've got to pick ourselves up again and go there and try and get a result. Anything can happen. We've got to come from behind now and pick it up. It's not all over by any means. Now is the time to get going again."

Tottenham are hoping Emmanuel Adebayor and Aaron Lennon will be fit to play some part in the game, while John Terry appears likely to be available for Chelsea after returning to training on Thursday morning. Branislav Ivanovic faces a late fitness test.

Chelsea player to watch: John Terry. The Chelsea captain looks likely to return after missing the defeat to Manchester City, and his leadership skills will be vital in restoring some order to a Blues defence that can often look worryingly disjointed in his absence.

Tottenham Hotspur player to watch: Rafael van der Vaart. A key creative force in the Spurs attack, Van der Vaart's goal on Wednesday prevented his side slipping to a fourth straight league defeat and his influence should not be underestimated. His movement will be of real concern to the hosts' defence.

Key battle: Jose Bosingwa v Gareth Bale. With Ivanovic battling to be fit, Bosingwa is likely to be pitted against Bale and, given the continued questions over his defensive capabilities, he could be in for a difficult day. The Welshman remains Spurs' most electric talent and, when operating on the left flank, has caused many a right-back endless problems.

Trivia: The first competitive meetings between Chelsea and Tottenham came in the 1909-10 season, and on the final day of that campaign the teams met at White Hart Lane for a winner-takes-all relegation match. Spurs won the game 2-1 to condemn their London rivals to Division Two.

Stats: Tottenham have only managed six shots on target in their most recent four visits to Stamford Bridge.

Match

We are winning this match

COME ON YOU SPURS!

GO ON BLUES. Up CHELSEA.

@chelseabmw,

No be by mouth bro, win this match and keep the hope of top4 alive. Tottenham is currently ahead of you with 5points if you loose this match, the hope maybe be dashed. I wish all blueblood fans victory today as I travel away to play Marlloca and Madrid battle with real sociedad @home
Without ramos and ozil. Barca4live



Gbamm over and out

collinsfbi: @chelseabmw,

No be by mouth bro, win this match and keep the hope of top4 alive. Tottenham is currently ahead of you with 5points if you loose this match, the hope maybe be dashed. I wish all blueblood fans victory today as I travel away to play Marlloca and Madrid battle with real sociedad @home
Without ramos and ozil. Barca4live



Gbamm over and out

also without pepe and mourinho.

gunner n barca 4 life

chelseabmw: We are winning this match

Chelsebenze my friend how far na? una go win this one?

Spurs will win and arsenal will lose to aston villa

1:45pm never reach? Skysports still talking about M. Alli!

This match looks damn boring! The one day I say I want to watch soccer, it's this.

What a drab game, still no shot on goal. I hope it ends in a draw, with such a boring display , neither of them deserve to win.

How come Drogba is the one getting balls forward to the midfielders?
Thought it was supposed to be the other way round?

Do u know that u can bet on your chelsea and win some bucks

Which kind yeye match be this No shot on target

manmustwac: Spurs will win and arsenal will lose to aston villa

You must be smokin igbo with alomo

Drogbaaaaaa, wetin do you? Old Papa Youngie.

gametalk: Do u know that u can bet on your chelsea and win some bucks

Bet on Che-what?

gametalk: Do u know that u can bet on your chelsea and win some bucks

Bet on Che-what? Over my dead bodi

*yawns*...feel like sleeping, what a dry match!

Borin game...chelsea all da way sha

Even tottenham is not interested in the match. They should just share points and stop running around in the sun.

Chewww! Drogba Red Card! I pity 4 chelsea. Lol

Snoozefest

How was that goal missed by THam players?!

destinedvcde: Chewww! Drogba Red Card! I pity 4 chelsea. Lol

which match are you watching?
Finally an attempt on goal. Good work cech

Henry40: How was that goal missed by THam players?!

Tru talk, Tottenham should be 2 goals up by now. POOR CHELSEA!

Babamide: Even tottenham is not interested in the match. They should just share points and stop running around in the sun.

lol, best solution for this match, but I want spurs to win.

destinedvcde: Chewww! Drogba Red Card! I pity 4 chelsea. Lol

u stil havent taken ur drugs yet?

Spurs should've been one nil up by halftime.

Nice Counter, good job PArker!

ujchief:
u stil havent taken ur drugs yet?

His doctor too is sick

ujchief:
u stil havent taken ur drugs yet?

After u.