sport news Cole Palmer and Son Heung-min are automatic starters while Nicolas Jackson ... trends now

sport news Cole Palmer and Son Heung-min are automatic starters while Nicolas Jackson ... trends now
sport news Cole Palmer and Son Heung-min are automatic starters while Nicolas Jackson ... trends now

sport news Cole Palmer and Son Heung-min are automatic starters while Nicolas Jackson ... trends now

Chelsea and Tottenham meet at Stamford Bridge each hoping to put an almighty dent in the European ambitions of their London rivals. 

Mauricio Pochettino faces such an injury crisis that his team has practically been picked for him.

Meanwhile, Ange Postecoglou will need to wrestle his players from a stupor after back-to-back defeats, although their inspired second-half in their 3-2 loss to Arsenal gives hope. 

Should either manager be in doubt about who to pick, they would do well to listen to Mail Sport's authoritative advice below.

Without further ado, we present Mail Sport's combined XI. What could go wrong?

Tottenham and Chelsea renew their acquaintance in Thursday night's London derby

Tottenham and Chelsea renew their acquaintance in Thursday night's London derby

Son Heung-min leads the line flanked by Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer in our combined XI

Son Heung-min leads the line flanked by Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer in our combined XI 

FORMATION: 4-2-3-1 

Goalkeeper: Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham)

Provided he doesn't let anyone undo his gloves, Vicario is a fairly straightforward pick here. 

He's the archetypal modern goalkeeper, ranking highly in distribution statistics and capable of sweeping if needed.

There are doubts about his ability to command his area - Micah Richards was unimpressed with his sheepishness in the 3-2 loss to Arsenal and Spurs conceded two goals from corners. 

Djordje Petrovic is a fine goalkeeping option for Chelsea in a mid-table season, but Mail Sport prefers Vicario. 

Guglielmo Vicario brings modern qualities for a goalkeeper but can improve his presence

Guglielmo Vicario brings modern qualities for a goalkeeper but can improve his presence

Right-back: Pedro Porro (Tottenham)

Porro has found a happy home at Spurs and is well-suited to their play style. 

He has been a good creator charging up the wing for Ange Postecoglou, notching seven assists, although his last was in January. 

It would have been a coin toss against Malo Gusto, whose crossing has been a sight to behold, but he is out after sustaining a knee injury against Manchester City. 

Pedro Porro is a dynamic full-back and, with Malo Gusto out, he claims this spot with ease

Pedro Porro is a dynamic full-back and, with Malo Gusto out, he claims this spot with ease

Centre-back: Cristian Romero (Tottenham)

It has its imperfections, but Romero's partnership with Micky van de Ven is something Spurs can build on for seasons to come. 

Aggressive, swashbuckling, and a good leader, Romero has won over fans after initial doubts.

He's also become a strong contributor going forward - his strike against Arsenal took his season's tally to five goals. 

For large parts of the second half he was playing so high that he was practically a forward, but his initiative paid off and got his team back in the game. 

Cristian Romero has chipped in with five goals this season and raised his status among fans

Cristian Romero has chipped in with five goals this season and raised his status among fans 

Centre-back: Micky van de Ven (Tottenham)

He has been a really strong signing for Postecoglou, a £43million well-spent.

His pace is staggering. Against Brentford in January, he clocked a top speed of 23.22mph - the highest ever recorded in the Premier League. 

He also brings that highly coveted attribute of being left-footed, which allows him to turn out when receiving the ball from Vicario and spread the ball more expansively. 

Granted, the Dutchman had a stinker against Newcastle and was arguably at fault for three of their goals, slipping twice, but it has been a positive debut season for him. 

Micky van de Ven has recorded the fastest speed in Premier League history and has impressed in his first season at Spurs

Micky van de Ven has recorded the fastest speed in Premier League history and has impressed in his first season at

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