GOOD EVENING
Welcome to our live coverage of the pre-season friendly between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur from Stamford Bridge.
Yep, our tear-soaked England shirts have barely had time to dry and already we’re back to domestic matters as two London rivals go toe-to-toe ahead of the upcoming campaign.
The pre-season warm-up itinerary used to consist of away games at Carshalton Athletic, Kingstonian and Leyton Orient before a money spinner at home to either Real Mallorca or India.
But now the Premier League big guns are doing it for themselves, and these crunch ties – friendly in name if not always in nature – are becoming the norm ahead of August’s big kick-off.
This particular contest is part of the Mind Series, a three-way round robin that also includes Arsenal.
The Gunners went down 2-1 to Thomas Tuchel’s Blues at the Emirates three days ago, and now the European Champions are targeting another North London scalp to seal the competition.
However, Spurs are already eager to give their supporters something to cheer while the Harry Kane transfer saga rumbles on.
Nuno Espirito Santo is the new man in charge at Tottenham, and a win at Chelsea – even one in a pre-season friendly – will help to welcome him to his new club.
A near-capacity crowd is expected at Stamford Bridge with the action due to start at 7.45pm.