Good morning! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for the first of four Premier League matches on this Sunday, and what a game we have to kick us off. It is a London derby between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, with 10 points separating the two sides in the table after 13 games. The form book suggests that Spurs should be favourites going into this match, but the shoots of recovery seem to be there for Chelsea in recent games. It should be a very interesting contest! Let's start with a look at the two teams...

TOTTENHAM STARTING XI: Lloris; Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Dier, Mason, Son, Dembele, Eriksen; Kane

TOTTENHAM SUBS: Lamela, Vorm, N'Jie, Trippier, Onomah, Wimmer, Carroll

CHELSEA STARTING XI: Begovic; Ivanovic, Zouma, Cahill, Azpilicueta; Fabregas, Matic; Willian, Oscar, Pedro; Hazard

CHELSEA SUBS: Amelia, Djilobodji, Baba Rahman, Mikel, Loftus-Cheek, Kenedy, Diego Costa

What can we make of those two teams, then? Well, there were a few questions over how many changes Mauricio Pochettino might make considering his side were in action in Azerbaijan just three days ago, but the Spurs boss has made just three from the team that beat Qarabag, and one of those is enforced. Dele Alli, who has been so impressive so far this season, picked up a fifth yellow card of the campaign against West Ham United last weekend and so misses out through suspension today, with Dembele - who has also been excellent this term - replacing him.

Harry Kane leads the line once again, with the suggestions of him being a one-season wonder firmly behind him now. The England international is in brilliant form at the moment, scoring in each of this last six games for Spurs and netting nine times overall in that run. His Premier League streak currently stands at four games in a row, so he has some way to go to catch the new pacesetter Jamie Vardy, but he has notched seven goals in those four games. His record in London derbies is also very impressive - 12 goals in 14 league games against fellow sides from the capital.

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With Bentaleb still sidelined through an ankle injury, Pochettino sticks with Mason in midfield alongside Eric Dier, who has taken to his new position like a duck to water. His form has even earned him an international call-up despite only having played a handful of games in midfield, and it is certainly not beyond the realms of possibility that he could make it to Euro 2016 should he keep this level of performance up. A little further are Son and Eriksen, who have also played their part in Tottenham's impressive run so far this season.

There are two changes at the back from Thursday's side, and neither are particularly surprising as Walker, who scored against West Ham United last weekend but was then at fault for the Hammers' consolation goal, returns on the right and Rose slots back in on the opposite flank. Davies drops out of the squad altogether, while Trippier has to make do with a place on the bench. Alderweireld - who also scored last weekend - and Vertonghen continue what has been a fruitful partnership in central defence.

As for Chelsea, there are a couple of big names missing from their starting XI, including that of captain John Terry. It is not often you see him having to be stretchered off the field, but that was the case against Maccabi Tel Aviv on Tuesday and he has not recovered from that ankle problem in time for today's game. Branislav Ivanovic, who has arguably been the biggest underperformer of the season of Chelsea so far - although there is plenty of competition in that regard - inherits the armband as a result.

At the other end of the field, Diego Costa has been dropped to the bench by Mourinho, who seemed unhappy with the striker's movement and work rate against Maccabi in Tel Aviv. Then again, he also looked frustrated with Hazard and eventually hauled him off in that game, but it is the Belgian who starts as the most attacking player for Chelsea today. He is expected to operate in a false nine role having switched between the wing and number 10 roles in recent games. He has scored in each of his last three league appearances for Spurs, but is yet to score in 20 matches in all competitions this season.

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Pedro is the man to replace Costa in the starting lineup, although the former Barcelona man is expected to play in his usual wider role, with Willian on the right and Oscar through the middle. Willian has arguably been Chelsea's best player up to this point in the season, and scored yet another direct free kick against Maccabi on Tuesday. Further back, Fabregas has not been at his best this season, but he does love playing against Spurs. He has 11 Premier League assists against today's opponents, which is five more than he has managed against any of Premier League side.

In all, Mourinho has made three changes to the team that beat Maccabi, with the remaining two of those coming in defence. Ivanovic returns to replace Baba Rahman, which also sees Azpilicueta switch over to the left again, while Zouma is in to replace Terry having done the same off the bench on Tuesday. Zouma actually went on to score the fourth and final goal for Chelsea in that match too. Begovic, meanwhile, continues between the sticks due to the continued absence of Courtois.

There is plenty of talent in that Chelsea side, then, but Spurs were certainly believe that they have the quality to tame it, as so many teams already have this season. The hosts would not have expected to be 10 points clear of their London rivals at this stage of the season, but that is as much down to how impressive they have been as to how poor Chelsea have. Tottenham, alongside Leicester, are probably the form team in the top flight right now having not lost since the opening day of the season.

That leaves their unbeaten streak at 12 matches, and a win or a draw today would see them go 13 Premier League games without defeat for the first time ever. The last time they went this long without losing in the league was more than 30 years ago, with that streak eventually ended at 14 games in March 1985. Considering that their only league defeat all season came courtesy of an unlucky own goal too, they can be very pleased with how things have gone so far.

Indeed, many may start considering Spurs as dark horses for the title if they are able to keep this run up for much longer. The squad looks finely balanced - not something that could be said in recent seasons - and they look to have the sort of consistency that the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal are struggling for at the moment. Perhaps the biggest thing preventing them from being right in amongst the leading pack at this stage of the season is the number of games they have drawn. No team in the league has drawn more than Tottenham's six, and they need to turn those into victories if they are to be considered serious contenders.

Even so, they would move into fourth place with a victory today, displacing North London rivals Arsenal, who don't play until later. The form book suggests that Spurs are more than capable of getting the win too, having taken maximum points from five of their last six games, and drawing the other. Two of those victories have come in the last week, with a highly impressive 4-1 drubbing of West Ham United being followed up by a 1-0 win over Qarabag in the Europa League.

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It is that latter result that could be their undoing today, though. It was a 5,000 mile round trip to Azerbaijan - the longest the club has ever embarked upon in European competition, and just three days later they have to host the champions in the earliest kickoff of the day. Pochettino has had his say on the schedule and he has every right to be a little peeved as many of his players will surely not have fully recovered from that.

Their Premier League schedule has not been easy in recent weeks either, although it has involved a lot less travel. This will be their third London derby in a row having drawn with Arsenal and then beaten West Ham, and if they can come through that trio of tricky fixtures without defeat then they will have done very well indeed. Home advantage could prove important today, with Spurs one of only two teams, alongside Manchester United, yet to be beaten in front of their own fans in the Premier League this season. They have won four of their last five games here, and only Manchester City have picked up more home points, having played a game more.

Indeed, stretching further back it is just two defeats in their last 20 home league matches for Spurs, with 12 wins in that time too. Much of their success has been built on a sturdy defence, with only United having conceded fewer goals this season, but they have been similarly impressive at the other end of the field too. They have scored at least three goals in three of their last four home league games and overall have hit the back of the net 24 times this season - a tally only the top two could beat after 13 games of the campaign. It is little surprise, then, that they have also fired away more shots on target than any other team in the top flight.

Chief among Chelsea's tasks today, then, will be to protect their goal, but that is something that they have really struggled to do so far this season. While past Mourinho teams have been built on a mean defence, this time around it has been anything but, despite it essentially being the same unit that posted the best defensive record in the league last term. They have already conceded 23 times this season - the worst outside the bottom five and also a tally it took them 29 games to reach last season.

Just as worryingly for Chelsea, they have conceded two or more goals in nine of their 13 Premier League games this season, and considering they are without Terry and up against an in-form Kane, that statistic may get even worse by the time this match is finished. They have, however, kept back-to-back clean sheets coming into this match, and another this afternoon would see them keep three in a row for the first time this season.

The Blues are also looking to win consecutive Premier League games for the first time this season following their 1-0 victory over Norwich last weekend. The scorer of that goal, Diego Costa, has been left on the bench today, though, so Mourinho will need someone else to step up. That victory ended a run of three straight Premier League defeats, which means that Mourinho has now lost seven games in a single league season for the first time in his managerial career.

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Perhaps a few of the signs for this slump were there at the tail end of last year, although it is not uncommon for teams to suffer a downturn in results after clinching the title. Chelsea have now lost half of their last 16 Premier League outings, winning just five in that time. In all competitions, the victory over Maccabi was just the second time this season that they have strung consecutive wins together.

The 4-0 scoreline in that Maccabi match suggests that it was all pretty straightforward for Chelsea, but in truth it is a little flattering. Maccabi are arguably the worst of the 32 sides in the Champions League group stages - certainly statistically so - yet they gave Chelsea a run for their money despite being down to 10 men for the majority of the match. It wasn't until Willian's free kick with just over 15 minutes left that things began to look safe for Chelsea, and the floodgates then opened with Oscar and Zouma adding further goals.

That was a rare triumph of the road this season, having only beaten Walsall and West Brom away from home all season before that game. That West Brom victory remains their only away win in the Premier League this season, with Chelsea managing just four points from their six trips so far - only rock-bottom Aston Villa have amassed fewer (3). Their points have come against the Baggies and Newcastle too, neither of whom pose as big a threat as Spurs are expected to do today. In all competitions Chelsea have lost six of their 11 away games this season.

The goal for the remainder of Chelsea's season appears to be to claw their way back into top-four contention, although that looks a tough ask right now and would be even tougher should they lose today. They are currently 12 points off the final Champions League place and, with so many teams in the mix, it would be some feat if the Blues are able to muscle their way in from here. No teams has made an outstanding claim to be champions so far, but plenty are competing for those top four spaces.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff at White Hart Lane, which means that it is time for a prediction! Almost everything points to a Tottenham victory today and, had they not been in action during the week, that is exactly what I would be backing. However, there has to be a question mark over them having made such a long trip only three days ago. Chelsea were also in action in Israel, but they have had two days of extra rest, which could make all the difference. I'm going for a 1-1 draw.

It is a tough one to call, then, with plenty relying on just how much the trip to Azerbaijan took out of these Tottenham players. Find out what the Sports Mole sofa had to say about this London derby below:

The corresponding fixture last term was arguably the game of the season as Spurs ran out 5-3 winners here on New Year's Day. Harry Kane was the star of the show on that occasion with two goals, adding to strikes from Rose, Townsend and Chadli as Chelsea fell to just their second defeat of the season. Costa, Hazard and Terry were all on the scoresheet for the visitors to White Hart Lane, but only one of those is in the starting lineup today.

The most recent meeting between the two sides came at Wembley, though, and on that occasion it was Chelsea who emerged victorious. Goals from Terry and Costa, again, handed Mourinho's side a 2-0 win in the League Cup final back in March to get a measure of revenge for their thrilling defeat on New Year's Day. Mourinho is still likely to be smarting from that defeat, though, as it was just the second time in his managerial career that one of his sides has conceded five goals in a game.

That result ended a run of nine league games without a win against Chelsea for Spurs, during which time they had drawn five and lost four games. In league and cup games the 5-3 victory is Tottenham's only triumph in their last 12 meetings, although Chelsea have only won one of their last nine league trips to White Hart Lane, while Mourinho is without a win on his last three visits.

KICKOFF: Here we go then! Tottenham get this London derby underway as they look to move into the top four and pile further misery on Chelsea's season in the process.

Bright start from Spurs as they make good ground down both flanks. Rose feeds a low ball towards the near post with Kane slides in for, but Begovic is bravely down to concede a corner. The Chelsea keeper took a knock in the process and looks a little dazed right now.

Begovic is fine to continue and Tottenham have a couple of people around him from the resulting corner, but it is a poor delivery from Eriksen which gets cleared by the first man.

As expected, it is Hazard who has started in the central most advanced role, although it would not be surprising to see that front four chop and change throughout the match to keep Spurs guessing.

It has been a rather scrappy opening to this match, with Chelsea so far unable to get the ball down and play, and Tottenham favouring the long ball forward to Kane rather than playing through their midfield.

The first shooting chance for Tottenham comes through Eriksen's ball up to Son, who in turn knocks it down to Kane. The in-form striker has a bit of space, but his shot from outside the box is blocked.

It is the hosts who are enjoying the most possession at the moment, but neither side has threatened the opposition goal. Spurs have a chance to do just that, though, with a free kick in a very good crossing position...

The Dane whips it in towards the front post, but Zouma is there with a stooping header to deal with the danger.

A mix-up in defence for Spurs as a huge punt forward carries with the wind and bouncing just outside the hosts' box. Vertonghen wants to leave it to Lloris, but Lloris doesn't want to stray off his line, so Vertonghen is forced into an emergency clearance with Willian lurking.

SAVE! The best moment of the match falls to Spurs as Vertonghen strides out from defence before giving the ball to Kane. He exchanges passes with Eriksen before lashing a first-time effort towards goal from just outside the box. It takes a deflection on the way through, but Begovic is able to make the stop despite the power behind the strike.

At the other end Alderweireld is called upon to make an important interception as Hazard and Willian exchange passes to send Pedro through inside the box. The Spaniard never really has the ball under control, though, and Alderweireld arrives at the last second to clear it behind for a corner.

CHANCE! Big chance for Chelsea - their first of the afternoon. Oscar does very well on the left to work a yard before floating a fine cross into the middle. Hazard meets it with a late run and has a free header on it, but he puts his effort over the bar. That was a big chance, and dare I say that Costa would have probably finished it?

The game has just started to warm up a little in the last five minutes or so. It certainly hasn't provided the fireworks of the corresponding fixture last season so far, but hopefully both sides will begin to open up a little more as the match wears on.

CLOSE! Again Chelsea come forward, with Pedro again the man to threaten. The ball arrives to him on the left and he cuts inside before lashing an effort towards goal from the edge of the box. Dier gets a slight deflection on the ball as it flies narrowly over the top.

Suddenly there is a lot more hunger about Chelsea's play, and Willian embodies that here by winning the ball back inside the Tottenham half with a fine challenge before whipping a delicious ball into the box that needs to be dealt with. It is the visitors on top right now.

CHANCE! Big chance for Tottenham at the other end, but Begovic makes the save. Kane advances down the right and whips a brilliant ball towards the back post with plenty of pace on it. It is perfect for Son, whose downward header is pushed away by the Chelsea keeper.

Again Spurs come forward down the right, with Walker this time bursting down the flank. He looks to have space, but Hazard tracks back really well to limit that. Walker still manages to squeeze a low cross in towards the front post that Kane is interested in, but he can't get a shot away and Begovic gathers.

Harry Kane has been the biggest threat for Spurs so far today, and here he is going for that earlier half-chance at the front post with Begovic.

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SAVE! Begovic has certainly been the busier of the two keepers so far and he is called into action again here to keep out a low drive from Dembele, who had ghosted past Fabregas far too easily.

YELLOW CARD! The first card of the afternoon is shown to Danny Rose, and it is a stupid one for the Spurs man to concede having fouled Hazard right in the corner when there really was no need.

After a little spell when Chelsea were on top, right now it is Spurs who look the most like breaking the deadlock. Overall it has been a fairly even game so far, though, with both teams fashioning some good chances.

There are very blustery conditions inside White Hart Lane today, and the wind has played a part in a few long balls for both sides. The latest sees Zouma have to come forward to clear the danger after a crossfield pass from his own player.

SHOT! Dier slips the ball into Son, who immediately turns and only has one through in his mind. He has the space to pick his spot from 25 yards, but his eventual effort flies comfortably over the crossbar.

YELLOW CARD! Kane joins Rose in the book for a trip on Willian, who was looking to burst forward on a counter-attack.

Lloris is called upon to come for a dangerous cross into the box, but Alderweireld also tries to clear and Lloris is unable to collect at the first time of asking. He chases the second ball to outside of his own area, but then hacks the ball clear.

Oscar has probably been the quietest of the front players, but he has shown glimpses. He nutmegs Mason here to take him into the box but, with the angle against him, he tries to catch Lloris out at the front post and only finds the side-netting.

Another opening for Spurs as Vertonghen slides a good disguised pass into Kane. The striker turns and only has one thought in his mind, but he curls his effort a few yards over the top.

There will be a minimum of two minutes added time at the end of this first half.

YELLOW CARD! A third card of the first half sees Walker go into the book for a foul on Azpilicueta, and he can have no complaints.

The resulting free kick is whipped in by Willian and Ivanovic climbs highest, only to plant his header wide. The linesman's flag is up anyway, so it wouldn't have counted.

The first half comes to an end at White Hart Lane, and we are still goalless in this London derby between Tottenham and Chelsea. It has been an even game for the most part, with chances for both sides, but Spurs have looked the most like scoring and Begovic has certainly been the busier of the two goalkeepers so far. It is finely poised for the next 45 minutes!

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Probably the best chance of that first half arrived for Tottenham just before the half-hour mark when Kane whipped a beauty of a cross into the box having found space down the right flank. His cross had plenty of pace on it to find Son in a bit of space at the back post, but his downward header was straight at Begovic when he probably should have done better.

Chelsea's best opening also came via the aerial route as Oscar worked a yard before floating a cross towards the back post that Hazard met. The Belgian was unmarked and had a free header, but that is certainly not the strongest part of his game and he planted his header over the top. It was the sort of chance that Diego Costa, sat on the bench today, would have been licking his lips at.

Chelsea have performed well enough today, but they are yet to have a shot on target, which will be a concern for Mourinho. Tottenham, meanwhile, have tested Begovic on a few occasions. The Chelsea keeper has had to intercept a couple of low cross at his near post under pressure from Kane, while he has also kept out shots from Kane and Dembele from outside the box.

In addition to Hazard's header, Pedro has also sent one shot off target but, despite his side not really looking like scoring so far, Mourinho will be relatively content with the performance. The same applies for Pochettino, but both managers may need to start taking a few more risks the longer this game remains goalless.

KICKOFF: Chelsea get us back underway for the second half as they look to get back-to-back victories for the first time in the Premier League this season.

I would be surprised if Mourinho didn't turn to Costa if this match remains goalless around the hour mark. Chelsea's front four have played relatively well here, but they a lacking a target man in the middle for crosses or long balls forward.

That front four have started this half well too. They are yet to create anything really substantial, with the exception of Hazard's first-half header, but they are carrying a lingering threat when going forward.

Willian's free kicks have caused so many problems this season, and this one is no different as he whips a crossed set piece into a dangerous area. Zouma is very interested in it, but is just a yard or so short of reaching the ball for what would have been a relatively simple finish.

YELLOW CARD! Vertonghen becomes the fourth Tottenham player in the book today and the third member of the back four. He can have no complaints either having come through the back of his compatriot Hazard.

Concern for Mason here as he bursts forward to latch on to Son's through-ball before cutting inside Zouma and going down. It looks like he jarred his ankle there which, having only recently returned from a similar injury, is particularly concerning. He is able to limp off, but it would be a surprise if he continues here.

TOTTENHAM SUB: There is the change, and it is Erik Lamela who replaces Mason, which should see Dembele drop into the deeper role vacated by Mason.

Important defending from Alderweireld as three Tottenham defenders all leave the ball for each other, which allows Hazard to steal in. He tries to push the ball past the last man, but Alderweireld deals with it well.

YELLOW CARD! Matic becomes the first Chelsea player in the book for a cynical trip on Eriksen.

Still no chances to speak of at either end of the field in this second half. Spurs have enjoyed the lion's share of possession in the last five minutes or so, though.

CHANCE! Finally one of the goalkeepers have something to do in this second half, and just like the first half it is Begovic. It is really good play from Son to dance his way to the edge of the box before exchanging passes with Lamela. The return pass from the Tottenham sub is perfectly weighted over the top of the defence and Son makes good contact with his half-volley, but Begovic is equal to it.

Matic needs treatment here after being on the end of a Lamela elbow when competing for an aerial ball. There was no malicious intent from the Tottenham man, but he is slightly fortunate not to be penalised for it.

CHANCE! Lloris is finally tested, and what a save it is from the keeper. Hazard is so close to getting his first of the season and 50th for Chelsea as he fires a brilliant first-time volley towards the bottom corner having been found at the back post by a fine cross from the right. Lloris is down in a flash to turn it behind, though.

That was Chelsea's best attacking moment of this match, and with 20 minutes remaining this one really could still go either way. Clear openings have been at a premium so far, but I would be surprised if we have seen the last of them this afternoon.

Ryan Mason is mobbed by blue shirts on his way into the area following a bright burst forward. Mason was forced off with an injury having seemingly twisted his ankle when cutting inside Zouma.

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TOTTENHAM SUB: The hosts make a second change, and it is Son who departs to be replaced by Clinton N'Jie.

Still no Diego Costa for Chelsea, which is perhaps the biggest sign that Mourinho would be relatively happy with a point here. Hazard has played well up there, but you'd think that Costa would be called upon if the visitors were desperate for a goal.

Shooting chance for the visitors as Hazard slides a pass out to Pedro, who not for the first time today cuts inside onto his right foot. Again his effort is off target, however, as he blasts it well over the bar.

Alderweireld gets caught under the ball inside his own area which almost hands Pedro a chance, but Spurs are quick to respond and get plenty of white shirts around the ball. It is all rather messy, but the hosts eventually deal with the danger.

Just 10 minutes remain at White Hart Lane, and still we are goalless between two sides to provide eight goals here in the corresponding fixture last season. A point apiece would not be the worst result for either side, but will one of them push for a winner in the closing stages?

Good defensive work from N'Jie as he tracks the run of Ivanovic all the way into the box before getting a foot in and managing to win a goal kick, with the last touch coming off Chelsea's stand-in skipper.

It is Chelsea who are applying most of the pressure right now, but to be honest neither side can really say that they deserve to win this match. Spurs have had the better of the possession for long spells and have tested Begovic most, but a draw would be a fair result here.

Decent chance for Chelsea here as Lamela fouls Oscar in a good crossing position. These are always chances with Willian stood over the set pieces...

...then of course Willian's free kick is cleared by the first man! Not the Brazilian's best delivery.

CHELSEA SUB: Chelsea finally make a change, but it is not Costa coming on. Instead Kenedy is introduced in place of Willian.

There will be a minimum of four minutes added time at the end of this match. Can either side find a winner?

CHELSEA SUB: Another change for the visitors sees Ruben Loftus-Cheek replace Pedro.

YELLOW CARD! Azpilicueta gets a late yellow card for holding on to the ball and preventing Spurs from taking a quick throw.

It finishes goalless at White Hart Lane, then, as Tottenham remain unbeaten for a club-record 13th consecutive Premier League match. It is not enough to lift them into the top four, but Chelsea do move up a place to 14th for a few hours at least. Both sides will be relatively content with a point apiece, but Mourinho will probably be the happier of the two managers having seen his side keep three consecutive clean sheets for the first time this season.

Clear-cut chances were few and far between throughout the course of the match, with Tottenham's best both falling to Son, who was twice denied by Begovic. Chelsea had to wait until the 68th minute for their first and only shot on target when Hazard's brilliant volley was tipped wide by an equally brilliant save from Lloris, while the Belgian also squandered a good opening in the first half.

That is all we have time for this afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's London derby as the spoils were shared at White Hart Lane. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, analysis and player ratings. There are three more Premier League games to come today, and we have live coverage of all of them so check back in for those! From me, though, it is goodbye for now!