London derby walking wounded: 14 ruled out for Spurs vs Chelsea

Clear your Saturday evening: the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium hosts a proper tear-up as Spurs welcome Chelsea in what could be the defining fixture of the weekend. Spurs were bumped out of the cup by Newcastle in midweek but kept their league momentum alive with a win over Everton, sitting third and eyeing a climb to second if results align. Chelsea, for their part, survived a chaotic 4-3 cup thriller at Wolves yet stumbled at home to Sunderland last time in the league and currently languish ninth. The twist? Both camps are riddled with absentees.

Team news: Spurs count eight out, but three timely returns

Let’s start with Tottenham. The big blow remains James Maddison, sidelined for the long haul with an ACL. Radu Dragusin is in the same boat, though his rehab is trending the right way with a post-international break return pencilled in. Dejan Kulusevski, Dominic Solanke and Yves Bissouma would all be in the conversation for a game of this magnitude, but Thomas Frank will be without the trio again. Depth pieces Ben Davies, Archie Gray and Kota Takai are also unavailable, rounding Spurs’ absentee list to eight.

There is some light, mind. Cristian Romero — absent in the league since the win at Leeds in early October — has been passed fit. Destiny Udogie and Wilson Odobert are also available, with Frank stressing the “positive” news ahead of kick-off. Expect Romero’s return to stiffen Spurs’ back line and allow them to squeeze up the pitch.

On timelines, Frank has indicated Solanke and Takai won’t be seen until after the November international break. Dragusin could join them not long after, but he’ll need minutes before he’s truly flying again.

Chelsea’s six missing: Palmer leads the list

Across the city, Enzo Maresca’s headache begins with Cole Palmer, out with a groin issue and likely back mid-November. Levi Colwill (ACL) and Dario Essugo (thigh) are longer-term concerns, while Benoit Badiashile’s muscle problem points to a December return. Liam Delap will serve a one-game suspension after that red card at Wolves — Maresca says the lad apologised and knows he slipped up — and Mykhailo Mudryk is also suspended and unavailable.

How the absences shape the contest

Spurs without Maddison and Kulusevski lose guile between the lines, so the onus shifts to quick transitions and full-backs punching on. Romero’s availability is massive: it lets Spurs defend higher and attack with more conviction. For Chelsea, no Palmer means a creativity vacuum and fewer clever pockets in the final third; they’ll need industry and structure to manufacture chances rather than relying on one spark.

Set plays could be decisive given the personnel missing — Spurs will fancy their delivery, but Chelsea’s size remains a threat. The first half-hour feels crucial; if Tottenham get noses in front, their shape and crowd should carry them. If Chelsea draw first blood, the nerves around north London will be audible.

If you’re checking odds and markets, do your homework with the best betting sites — form is useful, but derbies laugh at logic. Factor in those returns for Romero, Udogie and Odobert, and the absence of Palmer, before you draw conclusions.

Pundit’s verdict

It’s a numbers game and Spurs have the healthier ledger where it matters most — at centre-back and down the flanks — even with eight ruled out. Chelsea’s six absences hit their creativity harder, and that tilts it towards the hosts. Edge Spurs, but only just; this derby has banana skin written all over it.

Confirmed absentees

Tottenham (8): James Maddison (ACL), Radu Dragusin (ACL), Ben Davies (thigh), Dejan Kulusevski (knee), Dominic Solanke (ankle/foot), Yves Bissouma (ankle/foot), Kota Takai (ankle/foot), Archie Gray (calf). Available: Cristian Romero, Destiny Udogie, Wilson Odobert.

Chelsea (6): Cole Palmer (groin), Levi Colwill (ACL), Dario Essugo (thigh), Benoit Badiashile (muscle), Liam Delap (suspension), Mykhailo Mudryk (suspension).