Wednesday 4 January 2017 19:50, UK
Tottenham must entertain White Hart Lane when they host Chelsea, and the Blues could exploit it, says the Premier League Daily panel.
Chelsea head to Tottenham on Wednesday night, live on Sky Sports 1 HD, looking to set a new record for consecutive Premier League wins in a single season by claiming their 14th straight victory.
Tottenham were beaten 2-1 when the sides met at Stamford Bridge in November and, speaking on Sky Sports News HQ, the Premier League Daily panel believes the pressure to secure all three points against their rivals on home turf could backfire for Spurs.
"Chelsea don't have to entertain the White Hart Lane fans," said former Blues defender Mario Melchiot. "If Tottenham start the game and sit back, maybe the fans will turn [on them].
"But the other side is that it's a derby, you have to win, so how are you going to go about it? You have to attack. And everybody knows the strength of this Chelsea side is the counter-attack."
Ex-Arsenal full-back Nigel Winterburn believes the game will provide an "explosive" spectacle for the neutrals, but agreed the onus will be on Spurs to go out and win the fixture.
"Tottenham are going to have to force the game a little bit, I'd be surprised if Spurs fans let them sit back," Winterburn said.
"They know they're going to have to take the game to Chelsea a little bit. So providing we don't get a sending off, we're expecting an explosive game that a little bit of magic can decide."
Melchiot - who joined the Blues from Ajax in 1999 before leaving for Birmingham City in 2004 - says Chelsea and Tottenham's players will be aware Wednesday's derby is about more than points.
"It doesn't matter if you're not English, you pick it up very quick," he said. "As soon as you arrive in England, these are the games that people explain to you in a different way.
"They tell you 'listen, this is not about you, not about whatever you have achieved. It starts tonight and it is about your fans'.
"When you get that, you know you are going to be in a heated battle. This is why the Premier League is so special because these are the games you look forward to."
Watch Tottenham v Chelsea live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7.30pm on Wednesday. Upgrade to Sky Sports now and get six months half price!
