According to a report by Football London on Thursday, October 22, 2026, Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso faces a difficult week as his team prepares to face Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Manchester United in three important matches.

Chelsea have won their last two Premier League games and moved into fourth place. However, the Blues cannot afford to relax ahead of Saturday's London derby, especially with Tottenham showing signs of improvement.

Chelsea will also have to deal with injury concerns, with captain Reece James reportedly sidelined by a knee injury. The absence of key players could affect Alonso's selection and preparations for the match.

Former England striker Peter Crouch and ex Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell have both backed Chelsea to win the derby. Speaking on That Peter Crouch Podcast, Crouch pointed to the Blues' attacking quality as a major advantage.

Although Tottenham recently recorded a 3-1 victory over Coventry, Crouch believes Chelsea have the quality to secure another win at home.

“While at home, I still prefer Chelsea. They rack up the goals; I'm taking Chelsea by a score of 3-1,” he said.

Sidwell also expects Chelsea to collect all three points, predicting a 2-0 victory. However, he warned that Tottenham could cause problems because of the creativity available in their squad.

He noted that the return of Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison could improve Tottenham's attacking play, but he remains confident in Chelsea's current form and home advantage.

Chelsea's recent record against Tottenham also gives them reason for optimism. The Blues have won 14 of their last 18 meetings, while Spurs have recorded just two victories. Chelsea also won both league matches against Tottenham last season and have claimed six consecutive wins in this fixture.

Despite Tottenham's recent victory, Chelsea will need to remain organised defensively while making the most of their attacking strength. Alonso will be hoping his players maintain their winning form as they prepare for a demanding run of fixtures.