Tottenham boss says rivalry with Chelsea is similar to Arsenal

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino says his club’s rivalry with Chelsea is similar to the one they have with north London neighbours Arsenal.

There is no love lost between the two sides, who will face each other at Stamford Bridge on Sunday in a vitally important game in the battle for Champions League qualification.

Fifth-placed Chelsea are five points behind fourth-placed Spurs and cannot afford to lose this weekend’s derby.

“I think to compare it with (matches against) Arsenal, I think it is similar. Similar in everything,” Pochettino said.

“Arsenal, Chelsea are always tough games because they are derbies and for me it is a similar type of opponent and of course for the fans it is so important.

“And of course three points for us would be fantastic to put us in a very good position in the table.”

History is not on Tottenham’s side – they have not won at the Bridge for 28 years.

But Pochettino insisted: “That is not a point of focus for us.

“We are focused on performance and the possibility to be better than them and have the capacity to win the game.

“Of course the history is the history. It is there but it is not going to help, first of all Chelsea and then us.”