Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas will face his former club Chelsea for the first time since being sacked from Stamford Bridge this weekend as the two sides prepare to go head to head for three Premier League points.

The Portuguese coach, who was dismissed from the helm of the Blues after just nine months in charge, will try to end Chelsea's unbeaten run by building on their own fifth-placed position in the league table.

The home side are expected to welcome back Wales international Gareth Bale, who impressed during his 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign, while England frontman Jermain Defoe should lead the line alongside Clint Dempsey after coming out of the Three Lions' 1-1 draw with Poland unscathed.

Meanwhile, Chelsea, who could extend their lead at the top of the table by seven points with a win over Spurs, are likely to start Fernando Torres up front with the regular trio of Oscar, Eden Hazard and Juan Mata sitting just behind the Spaniard.

Frank Lampard, who was ruled out of England's qualifiers with a knee injury could be placed on the bench depending on the midfielder's fitness, while John Terry will be unavailable if he accepts his four-match ban today.

Recent form

Tottenham: DWWWW
Chelsea: WDWWW

Possible starting lineups:

Tottenham: Lloris; Walker, Gallas, Caulker, Vertonghen; Aaron Lennon, Dembele, Sandro, Bale; Dempsey, Defoe

Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Luiz, Cole; Mikel, Ramires; Mata, Oscar, Hazard; Torres

Sports Mole says: 1-2

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