Paul Merson believes Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea is the biggest game of the season as Thomas Frank battles injuries and home form struggles
Tottenham Hotspur’s season has shown an uneven rhythm so far. They look confident and ambitious away from home, yet uneasy and inconsistent in front of their own supporters. Thomas Frank’s men sit third in the Premier League table after nine games, with five wins, two draws, and two defeats. They hold the best away record in the league, collecting 13 points from five matches. However, their home form tells another story; they have earned only four points from four games.
The sharp contrast has shaped the tone of their campaign. They earned a commanding 3–0 win at Everton in their last league outing, but that sense of momentum vanished midweek when Newcastle United knocked them out of the Carabao Cup.
In such a situation, Paul Merson, as reported by Sportskeeda, summed up the stakes perfectly when he called Saturday’s clash with Chelsea “the biggest game of the season” for both clubs. Tottenham’s injury list keeps growing, but Frank refuses to use it as an excuse.
Cristian Romero’s return adds stability, though striker Dominic Solanke will miss the game until after the international break. Chelsea, in contrast, rotated their squad and still progressed in the cup, which gave them an advantage in freshness.
Merson pointed out Tottenham’s poor home form, saying the numbers showed a clear pattern rather than coincidence. Frank must turn Tottenham Hotspur Stadium into a stronghold again. If he fails to do that, their promising league position could slip before winter.
“Chelsea rested a few of their main players for the cup game against Wolves and luckily they got through. Tottenham will be disappointed about not making it to the next round like Chelsea after their loss to Newcastle. I don’t think Spurs are a great team when they play at home.
“If you look at the league table based on results at home and away, it paints an accurate picture. Tottenham are 17th in the league if you only count results from their home games, while they are at the top if you consider just games on the road.”
“This is the biggest game of the season for both teams. After this, Chelsea face Wolves and Burnley in the league. If they can beat Spurs this weekend, they will be confident of going into them games feeling like they can make it three straight wins before the international break.”
Meanwhile, Tottenham’s scouts continue to monitor Ivan Toney’s situation at Al Ahli, though the striker remains happy there for now, leaving Frank to rely on his current attacking core.
Frank’s tactical test and a game of margins
The Chelsea game will test Tottenham’s identity as much as their form. Tottenham’s pressing style thrives in open spaces, which explains their dominance away from home.
However, Chelsea’s patient buildup and fluid midfield under Enzo Maresca could stretch Spurs’ shape. The tactical contest hinges on whether Tottenham can win the ball high up the pitch and feed their quick front line, led by Randal Kolo Muani and Mohammed Kudus.
If they manage that, they can hurt Chelsea’s defence, which often struggles during transitions. However, the risk remains clear: if they overcommit, Chelsea will exploit the gaps through Reece James and Pedro Neto on the flanks.
The home crowd expects urgency, and Frank knows his side must stay in control instead of chasing chaos. Romero’s return should provide strength to the back line, while Palhinha’s work in midfield will play a crucial role in disrupting Chelsea’s rhythm.
Expected outcome
This match hinges on rhythm, confidence, and small details. A draw seems the most realistic result, perhaps 1–1 or 2–2, given Tottenham’s attacking threat and defensive weakness. Both teams believe they can win, yet neither side looks strong enough to dominate.
A positive result could lift Tottenham’s momentum before the international break. Frank hopes his team’s away confidence finally appears at home. Behind the scenes, the club plans to recall young Donley from his loan at Stoke City, recognising that extra depth could help before January.
All signs now lead to Saturday, a match that might decide whether Tottenham’s progress holds or starts to fade.
