Chelsea Tottenham team news James Maddison dropped

Chelsea and Tottenham face off at Stamford Bridge to keep European dreams alive. Pochettino and Postecoglou aim for crucial wins.

Both Chelsea and Tottenham are gearing up for a crucial match at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night, with their European aspirations hanging in the balance. For Chelsea, this season has been disappointing as they have failed to secure any silverware and currently find themselves in ninth place in the Premier League despite significant investment in the squad.

Mauricio Pochettino is facing pressure ahead of the 2024/25 season, but a strong finish and qualification for Europe could potentially save his job. Chelsea is currently six points away from the last Europa League spot and five points behind Newcastle, who occupy the Europa Conference League position.

A victory for Chelsea in this upcoming match would bring them closer to the European places, especially considering their favorable remaining fixtures. The clash against Tottenham is crucial for Pochettino's side, who are looking to bounce back from a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa in their last outing.

Tottenham, on the other hand, is chasing a spot in the Champions League for next season and currently sit seven points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa with two games in hand. A win at Stamford Bridge could prove to be vital for their European ambitions, despite facing a tough run-in.

In their previous meeting, Chelsea emerged as 4-1 winners, showcasing their ability to defeat Tottenham. However, Spurs are looking to bounce back from a 3-2 defeat to Arsenal in their last match, making this upcoming clash even more crucial.

Ange Postecoglou has made significant changes to the Tottenham lineup, with five new faces coming into the team. The likes of Ben Davies, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Rodrigo Bentancur, James Maddison, and Timo Werner have been replaced by Emerson Royal, Yves Bissouma, Pape Matar Sarr, Brennan Johnson, and Richarlison.

The decision to bench Maddison may surprise some fans, but given his recent form, it is a strategic move by Postecoglou. Both teams will be aiming for a crucial victory in this high-stakes encounter, with European qualification on the line.