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Chelsea three things to look for: Spurs in the League Cup

By Gabe Henderson

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: Olivier Giroud of Chelsea scores the opening goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on February 22, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: Olivier Giroud of Chelsea scores the opening goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on February 22, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images) /
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Tottenham Hotspur’s Portuguese head coach Jose Mourinho (L) gestures as Chelsea’s English head coach Frank Lampard looks on during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge in London on February 22 2020. (Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images) /

3. Lampard vs. Mourinho: Mk. IV

It’s the fourth installment of the Master versus the Apprentice, the Special One versus the Chosen One, Jose Mourinho versus Super Frankie Lampard; you get the idea. The last time the former Chelsea manager and his favorite Blues player met on the touchline, the Blues emerged victorious by a score of 2-1. This was particularly embarrassing for Mourinho as he learned of Lampard’s tactics ahead of time and was still beaten on the day.

The young second-year manager became the first coach ever to do a league double over a Mourinho side, as well. The victory at Stamford Bridge capped off a fourth consecutive win over Spurs, a record in which Chelsea hopes to keep alive—and extend—for at least another two months.

The most intriguing aspect of this match will be which formation Lampard decides to use. For the two games he’s managed against his former gaffer for Chelsea, he’s gone with the 3-5-2. However, he beat Mourinho’s Manchester United when he was at Derby County with a 4-2-3-1. With the latter looking like his go-to this season, given the personnel at his disposal, it could get the green light on Tuesday.

On the other hand, Mourinho’s been a mixed bag. In the first meeting between the two, Mourinho set United up in a 4-2-3-1. The second meeting saw Spurs play a 4-3-3 and the latest game a 5-4-1. The Portuguese manager has gone with a 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 variation in each Premier League match this season, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see both sides take that shape.

The tactics of this match will unravel as the game plays out, but the entertainment will begin the moment the two managers take the pitch. The character foils have an obvious admiration and love for one another, but at the core of this match lies a deeply-rooted rivalry spanning decades. Mourinho has never beaten his former midfielder, so that may give him added motivation to lay it all on the line in the League Cup.

dark. Next. Chelsea's rivalry with Tottenham Hotspur is historic

What are some things you’ll be watching for? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!

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