'Nagging doubt' - Paul Merson and Chris Sutton disagree over Tottenham vs Chelsea result

Chris Sutton and Paul Merson have disagreed in their predictions for Mondayy's intriguing London derby between Tottenham and Chelsea. Spurs have been flying this season, currently leading the Premier League amid a superb start to the campaign.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have struggled again, and after another home defeat, this time to Brentford, they sit in 11th place, already 14 points behind their next opponents. Pressure is building again for the Blues, but Mauricio Pochettino should get time to turn things around, with last season making the size of the job required at Stamford Bridge rather clear.

Then again, Ange Postecoglou was expected to face a tricky test, but he has made easy work of it so far, guiding his men to an unbeaten start. With that in mind, it's no surprise to see Chris Sutton back Spurs to come out on top in north London on Monday with a 2-0 win.

"I've gone with Tottenham to win this one but, at the back of my mind, I have a nagging doubt about that," Sutton told BBC Sport. "On paper, it's pretty easy to predict how the game will go - Spurs are top of the table and haven't lost under Ange Postecoglou, while Chelsea are so erratic. Pretty much everything points to a home win, but with Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino going back to Spurs for the first time since they sacked him in 2019, I am not so sure.

"I am still going to go with my instinct and back Tottenham, because I think they are a better team than Chelsea are - but the Pochettino factor makes me think that, somehow, his side will find a way to win, and he will be the one who bursts Postecoglou's bubble. On top of that, Chelsea are the team who I can't ever seem to pick the right result for. I've actually managed it twice this season - when they beat Luton and drew with Bournemouth - but it feels like I had a better strike rate when I played up front for them."

"Meanwhile, Arsenal legend Merson has picked an upset of sorts, telling SportsKeeda: "I'll be there in North London for this one and I don't see Chelsea getting beat. Teams that have had a go at the Blues this season haven't had it easy, as was the case for Arsenal and Liverpool. Spurs will come out all guns blazing and start on the front foot and I think that will play to Chelsea's strengths.

"Ange Postecoglou's side come into the game on a high and this is the first time in years Spurs fans will be expecting to beat Chelsea, which shows how far they've come under their new manager. Mauricio Pochettino, on the other hand, returns to a place he once called home and I think he'll get a good reception, at least until the game starts. He's done a lot for the club and should be remembered despite the fact that he's managing one of their arch-rivals.

"It's important to remember that he was sacked; he didn't ask to leave the club in 2019. I'll be really disappointed if he doesn't get a good reception, let me put it this way. I'm not underestimating Tottenham, but I fancy Chelsea to win this one (1-2)."