Tottenham Hotspur face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Former player Jamie Redknapp says he is backing Tottenham Hotspur to finish above Chelsea this season, even if they lose their upcoming clash at Stamford Bridge, Sky Sports report.
Spurs go into the clash with Chelsea holding a five-point lead over their rivals in the race for a top four spot.
Champions League football is so important for both teams, and because of their recent last 16 exit at the hands of Barcelona and Juventus respectively, only a top four spot will see the duo return to Europe’s elite competition.
With five points separating the two and with just eight games remaining ahead of the Stamford Bridge encounter, Tottenham are in the driving seat and Redknapp is backing them regardless of Sunday’s result.
“For Chelsea, it’s a must-win. If that gap stretches to eight points, it will be too big a gap to come back from,” the former Spurs player told Sky Sports.
“To be honest, I think even if Spurs were to lose, I’d still expect them to qualify for the Champions League ahead of Chelsea. They’re in a healthier state right now and have the edge.”
Mauricio Pochettino’s record in the away games against Tottenham’s ‘big-six’ rivals isn’t great, with just one win in their last 19 away encounters – a victory at the Etihad Stadium against Manchester City.
But over the past two months they have beaten Manchester United and Arsenal in successive home games, while they looked the stronger of the two sides in an entertaining 2-2 draw at Liverpool.
Spurs have improved despite their iffy record, and they come up against a Chelsea side who have struggled of late, managing just four wins in their last 10 outings in all competitions.
Tottenham may not have a better chance of ending their Stamford Bridge hoodoo (no wins there since 1990), and victory would all-but seal their place in next season’s Champions League.
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