Chelsea vs Tottenham predicted line-ups: Penders tipped for first league start as Porro targets return

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Mike Penders is tipped for his first Premier League start in our Chelsea vs Tottenham predicted line-ups, while Pedro Porro could return to the visitors’ defence after resuming training.

Chelsea host Spurs at Stamford Bridge on Saturday 24 October, with kick-off at 5.30pm BST. These are our predicted starting teams, with fitness decisions still outstanding before the official line-ups are announced.

Chelsea predicted XI: Penders replaces Martínez

Predicted XI, 3-4-2-1: Mike Penders; Josh Acheampong, Maxence Lacroix, Levi Colwill; Pedro Neto, Moisés Caicedo, Jordan Henderson, Jorrel Hato; Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers; João Pedro.

Penders is our choice in goal with Emiliano Martínez recovering from surgery on a fractured jaw.

The Belgian replaced Martínez during the 2–0 victory at Everton, helping Chelsea complete the win. The club confirmed that appearance was his Premier League debut.

We retain the ten outfield players who started on Merseyside, with Neto and Hato occupying the wide positions and Palmer and Rogers supporting João Pedro.

The formation describes our expected arrangement rather than a fixed shape throughout the match. Chelsea listed the same outfield personnel in a 4-2-3-1 against Everton, with Acheampong at right-back and Neto further forward.

Neto’s two goals strengthen his case to continue, while Hato keeps our vote on the left after starting in place of Pep Chavarría.

Chelsea’s remaining fitness calls

Reece James and Jamie Gittens remain unavailable in the latest reporting, while Chavarría and Emmanuel Emegha require further clarification.

The Standard’s team-news report also notes that Malo Gusto missed the Everton match through illness. His absence last weekend should not automatically be carried forward as confirmation that he cannot face Spurs.

Hato’s inclusion avoids assuming Chavarría is ready to return. Likewise, our selection retains Henderson alongside Caicedo rather than predicting an unnecessary midfield change after consecutive league wins.

Wesley Fofana and Marco Palestra provide defensive alternatives, but our prediction favours continuity around the enforced goalkeeper change.

Tottenham predicted XI: Porro return would restore an option on the right

Predicted XI, 4-2-3-1: Antonín Kinský; Pedro Porro, Jan Paul van Hecke, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie; Conor Gallagher, Sandro Tonali; Mohammed Kudus, James Maddison, Omar Marmoush; Dominic Solanke.

Porro and Udogie’s selections are fitness-dependent.

Tottenham have confirmed that Porro returned to training on Thursday. That improves his prospects of involvement, but the club stopped short of declaring him ready to start.

Udogie also needs a final assessment after missing the Coventry match. Our predicted back four assumes both full-backs are cleared.

Further forward, Maddison retains the central role behind Solanke, with Kudus and Marmoush either side. Dejan Kulusevski’s return to action gives Roberto De Zerbi another option, but we do not assume he will immediately move into the starting XI.

Marmoush, Andy Robertson and Tosin Adarabioyo were substituted against Coventry, although De Zerbi subsequently played down concerns. Our Tottenham injury update covers those initial assessments.

Bentancur remains suspended

Rodrigo Bentancur will serve the second match of his three-game ban, as confirmed in Tottenham’s official match guide.

That removes one midfield option, with Gallagher and Tonali our predicted pairing.

Lucas Bergvall and Savio remain sidelined in the latest reporting, alongside longer-term absentees Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simons. Mykhailo Mudryk is also ineligible to face his parent club.

The full-back decisions could alter Tottenham’s selection most significantly. Porro’s return to training is encouraging, but the final team will depend on whether De Zerbi considers him and Udogie ready for this assignment.

Our Chelsea–Tottenham viewing guide has the UK television and streaming details.

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