#360Fans: UAE Supporters preview Capital One Cup final

Sport360 staff 15:07 28/02/2015
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  • Expected to shine: Eden Hazard (L) and Harry Kane (R).

    The first piece of domestic silverware in 2015 will be decided on Sunday when League heavyweights Chelsea lock horns with London-rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the Capital One Cup final at Wembley Stadium.

    To gain an insight into the mindset of the fans we asked members of the respective UAE Supporters Clubs to share with us their predictions, likely line-ups and players to watch.

    Do you agree or have they missed the mark? Use #360Fans to share with us your thoughts.

    TOBY YOUNG – CHELSEA UAE SUPPORTERS CLUB

    This fixture sees the renewal of one of London’s great rivalries, and the fact that it’s a cup final is bound to add extra spice to the affair. The rivalry between the two clubs grew stronger as Spurs struggled to beat Chelsea from 1991 until recently, with each defeat enhancing the bitterness towards Chelsea. Although the situation is more balanced since Spurs fans reveled in their New Years day 5-3 victory, and will be looking to that game for encouragement. Chelsea fans on the other hand will be thinking back to the halcyon days of when we appeared to have magic sign over Spurs. 

    The Blues will be missing Nemanja Matic after last weeks dismissal against Burnley, which will come as a bitter disappointment to Stamford Bridge’s unsung hero of the season.

    SCORE PREDICTION: 2-2, with the game going to extra time. 

    LIKELY CHELSEA XI: Courtois, Ivanovic, Zouma/Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Ramires, Fabregas, Willian, Oscar, Hazard, Costa

    CHELSEA PLAYER TO WATCH- EDEN HAZARD. When he plays well, so do Chelsea. His link-up play with Cesc Fabregas this season has been phenomenal, and Wembley’s larger pitch should afford him the space to breach the Spurs defence. 

    WHERE TO WATCH: The UAE Chelsea Supporters club will be watching the match in our home at Loca in the Dubai Marine Beach Resort and Spa. If you want to get involved with the club please feel free to come over and say hello.

    RAAD JABOORI AL-SHAIKH – UAE Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Club

    This is Spurs’ first cup final appearance in six years. Once again, Spurs will face Chelsea in a domestic cup final having won the previous two (1967 FA Cup: Spurs 2-1 Chelsea, 2008 League Cup: Spurs 2-1 Chelsea). Will history repeat itself?

    The sides shared the spoils in their previous two encounters in the Premier League this season. I expect another exciting game. If Spurs can replicate the performance against Chelsea in the 5-3 victory at White Hart Lane in January then there will only be one winner and that’s the men in white from North London.

    LIKELY SPURS XI: Lloris, Walker, Rose, Vertonghen, Dier, Mason, Bentaleb, Eriksen, Chadli, Lamela, Kane

    SPURS PLAYER TO WATCH – HARRY KANE: The in-form striker has scored 24 goals in 36 games so far this season. Kane possesses an array of outstanding attriutes, including his ability to tackle, tracking back, winning headers and evading defenders. Even when he misses, he scores (as he showed in the penalty against West Ham last Sunday).

    SCORE PREDICTION: Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Chelsea (Kane, Eriksen and Chadli to score with Hazard netting the consolation).

    WHERE TO WATCH: All Spurs supporters in the UAE and throughout the Middle East region are welcome to join. We watch the Spurs games at the Icon Lounge Bar, Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City.

     

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