Maresca does not believe Chelsea are favourites against Tottenham

Chelsea visit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium later on Sunday in a match corresponding to matchday 15 of the Premier League as they look to compound Ange Postecoglou’s side’s misery and repeat last season’s 4-1 thumping. Nicolas Jackson scored a hat-trick in that game and the Blues are a much more formidable side this time around, while Spurs are depleted in more areas than one as well.

In spite of the fact that they have killed a few big fish in Manchester United, Aston Villa and Manchester City twice in the ongoing campaign, Chelsea are firmly the favourites to beat Tottenham on Sunday in spite of their home advantage. That said, Enzo Maresca believes that is not the case with Daily Mail quoting him saying the following words.

‘First of all, the [home] fans are going to be there [in full force], no doubt. And second, we are not favourite, absolutely not. They are playing European competition, like us, we are there. But not because we are second in the table, we are favourite, absolutely not.”

It is fair to say that the Italian will be an incredibly happy man given Chelsea’s recent results. As a matter of fact, the Blues and the Lilywhites could not have any more contrasting outings even in their latest Premier League games as Chelsea hammered Southampton 5-1 away from home, whereas Bournemouth beat a hapless Tottenham side 1-0 at the Vitality Stadium.

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Surely, it is common sense that Enzo Maresca is playing mind games to ensure that his players and fanbase are not too overconfident, while giving some consolation to Tottenham who would be carrying the burden of having won just one of their last six games in all competitions into the Chelsea match. It is also not surprising to see him using a deception tactic after spending some time with Pep Guardiola, who is perhaps the best at doing so amongst all managers in the Premier League.