May 07, 2013 04:00 AM EDT
Chelsea vs Tottenham: Predictions, Preview, Team News, Injuries and Expected Lineups of Crunch English Premier League Encounter

Three teams, two positions and one game which could decide it all.

When Chelsea host Tottenham in their English Premier League game at Stamford Bridge, there will be so much at stake that apart from the two sides playing each other, even Arsenal and every single one of their fans will be biting their nails throughout the 90 minutes.

Champions League qualification has been a given for Chelsea and Arsenal over the past decade or so - much longer for Arsenal of course.

Tottenham, on the other hand, are desperate to have another shot at the Europe's elite competition, after impressing in their last stint a couple of years ago, and having seen their chance of playing in this year's Champions League so cruelly taken away by Chelsea's amazing win at the Allianz Arena at Bayern Munich.

The Blues are in pole position at the moment, following their hard-fought 1-0 win over Manchester United on Sunday - interestingly all three top-four chasing sides won 1-0 at the weekend.

Chelsea are currently in third on 68 points, one ahead of Arsenal and three clear of Spurs. However, crucially, both Chelsea and Tottenham have played a game less than the Gunners, which is what makes the clash on Wednesday so important.

If Spurs are unable to make use of their game in hand over Arsenal, then finishing in the top-four will be difficult. As it stands at the moment, both Chelsea and Tottenham have control over their own destiny.

Tottenham can qualify for the Champions League if they beat Chelsea -- Andre Villas-Boas' former team -- Wednesday, and then go onto win their remaining two games. Chelsea can also finish in the top-four, if they lose to Spurs but then pick up maximum points in their final two matches of the season.

So, a draw between the two sides is the ideal scenario for Arsenal, while Chelsea will be happy with a draw or a win; Spurs, on the other hand, absolutely need to pick up a victory in this game.

One man will be key for Tottenham of course. Gareth Bale yet again bailed his side out with a wonder strike in the 1-0 win over Southampton, who were by far the better side over the 90 minutes.

But then, all that matters in the business end of the season are results, not performance.

Chelsea also have their ace in the pack in Juan Mata, whose deflection-aided goal gave his side all three points at Old Trafford against the Premier League champions.

Eden Hazard, who missed the game against United with a calf problem, is expected to be fit for the midweek game, which will mean Chelsea's triumvirate - Mata, Hazard, and Oscar -- will most likely take the field and look to unlock the Spurs defense.

Spurs might have to do without Mousa Dembele, who had to come off against Southampton with a hamstring problem, with Lewis Holtby again expected to fill in for the Belgian international.  

Three points and one point - Chelsea and Arsenal will be satisfied with the latter, while Tottenham can only afford the former.

Expected lineups: Chelsea: Cech; Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Luiz, Cole; Lampard, Ramires; Oscar, Mata, Hazard; Torres.

Tottenham: Lloris; Walker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Assou-Ekotto; Huddlestone, Holtby; Lennon, Bale, Sigurdsson; Defoe.

Prediction: 2-2

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