Chelsea vs Tottenham – Premier League: Live score, team news and latest updates as the bitter rivals meet at Stamford Bridge with bragging rights on the line – plus semi-final updates from Aston Villa’s Conference League with Olympiacos

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino speaking on Wednesday:

It’s always an emotion (against Tottenham) because we are going to find people with whom we have worked for a long time. Yes, I can’t hide my emotion for the club and I think it’s going to be emotional.

Just the only change for Chelsea then.

It’s not one they wanted to do, but they had to do it, as Thiago Silva is ruled out due to injury.

Young Adam Gilchrist returns to the starting XI to make his first home start in the Premier League.

How often do you see rival managers having this type of relationship?

I’m sure all conviviality will soon be chased away when the teams take the field.

Pochettino didn’t look like he wanted to let him go!

Yes, you read correctly, EIGHT years…

On May 2, 2016, the Battle of the Bridge was born. It’s a Premier League classic, a match that’s always remembered when these two meet.

I remember exactly where I watched this match. I was preparing for my GCSE exams and decided to take a break from my studies to watch it with my friends. Damn, was that a good choice?

The match had everything from terrible tackles that led to brawls, 12 bookings, four goals and a last-minute equalizer from Eden Hazard that left Spurs’ title hopes in tatters.

It was a sight that will be remembered as the day Chelsea helped Leicester City win a magical Premier League title, while taking the rivalry between the two clubs to a new level.

If we get drama even closer to what we saw that fateful night, you better buckle in.

By the way, I’m sorry if I made some of you feel old with this post…

When these two meet, there are always fireworks.

There has only been one draw in the last 22 meetings between these two teams in all competitions. This almost always guarantees goals.

Do you want to know what else it brings? Hand bags.

This match seems to have a way of getting fiery. There was the “Battle of the Bridge”, then also last season’s handshake drama between Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte.

Passion always shines through in this one and it manifests itself in different ways depending on the season.

I wonder what they have in store for us tonight.

Stamford Bridge is very rarely a happy hunting ground for Tottenham.

Spurs have just one win in their last 38 away matches at Chelsea, dating back to 2018 when current Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino was in charge.

After speaking to various Tottenham fans, it’s clear they aren’t going into this game with much hope, they’ve been disappointed too many times.

However, I can say this often, but statistics are there to be broken. Just look at Everton last week, they won their first Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park in 14 years when no one gave them a chance.

If ever there was a good season to have at Chelsea, this is one of them. The Blues are a far cry from their super teams of the past.

Will this evening be one for the history books?

Chelsea and Tottenham aren’t the only Premier League teams in action this evening.

Aston Villa have waited 42 years for a big night in Europe like tonight, and it’s finally here. They face Olympiakos this evening at Villa Park in the first leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final.

The Villans are now surely the favorites to win the trophy, but it won’t be an easy task. All I know is Villa Park will rock tonight.

We’ll be sure to bring you all the big updates from the West Midlands game, I have a feeling there will be plenty of goals to let you know about.

Tonight could be a defining night in both Chelsea and Tottenham’s seasons.

We have now entered the final month of the Premier League campaign and both teams are still in the hunt for Europe.

Tottenham currently sit fourth, seven points behind Aston Villa, but with two games in hand – the first of which they play this evening.

Last night it was confirmed that Germany are in second place in the UEFA coefficient table for this season, with only the top four places in the Premier League qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

Tottenham cannot afford to lose tonight if they are to compete in European club football’s premier competition next year.

Meanwhile, Chelsea still have faint hopes of qualifying for the Europa Conference League next season and a win tonight would certainly keep them in the race.

If they win three points tonight, they will move up to eighth, just two points behind Newcastle in Europe’s bottom spot with four games to spare.

There’s a lot that both teams can lose tonight, it’s going to be tasty.

I think it’s time for another derby!

It feels like we’ve had them every other day lately, especially in London, but there aren’t many in the capital bigger than Chelsea v Tottenham.

After the North London Derby, this must be the second biggest London derby, Chelsea and Spurs don’t like each other. The rivalry has really heated up in recent years – a certain match comes to mind…

If I can guarantee anything for tonight, the match will definitely not be dull. Their rivalry combined with the lack of defensive structure on both sides means we are in for an intense match.

Don’t forget that Chelsea and Tottenham are still in the hunt for a place in the European competition next year. There is no room for slippage.

I can’t wait for this one to start, so let’s get to it.