But their meeting at Stamford Bridge this afternoon feels like it has even more spice given both teams are emerging as genuine title contenders and it is Frank Lampard versus Jose Mourinho in the dugout
So which manager could have the edge going into the game? How will Lampard and Mourinho approach it tactically? Which players could make the difference? And what will be key for both clubs to sustain a serious title challenge?
Our Tottenham and Chelsea correspondents, Dan Kilpatrick and James Robson, dissect some of the big talking points ahead of the game.
What is the dynamic between Jose Mourinho and Frank Lampard?
DK: Mourinho has made all the right noises about respect and admiration for his former favourite but there's now a prickly subtext to their relationship, evidenced when they clashed on the touchline during Spurs' EFL Cup win.
Consecutive defeats to Lampard last season will have hurt the Special One, particularly after the Chelsea boss out-thought him by playing a back three in north London. Mourinho will be aiming to put his pupil firmly in his place.
JR: They remained close even after Mourinho’s first spell at Chelsea ended. There would be texts and phone calls between the two.
The dynamic was different when Mourinho returned - but that was because Lampard was coming to the end of his playing career and wanted more playing time.
The minor touchline spat earlier this season – in the EFL Cup– was quickly brushed away and there is no doubting the professional respect they both have for each other.
Lampard is also savvy enough to spot a potential “war of words” in the media - and has been careful to sidestep any questions which could cause potential friction with his former boss.
Tottenham vs Man City | 21/11/2020
What is in your team’s favour?
DK: Confidence will be sky high after four straight League wins, including last weekend's landmark victory over Man City.
That performance will rightly leave Spurs with nothing to fear from Stamford Bridge and they should be quietly confident of providing the sternest test yet of Chelsea's new defensive resolve.
Mourinho's experience will surely count for something too, while the form of Harry Kane and Heung-min Son is another factor.
JR: There is total confidence at Chelsea, too. They are a team that believe they are onto something special this season - and run of six straight wins has only enhanced that feeling.
Even on Tuesday against Rennes, an underwhelming performance was turned into a dramatic late win thanks to Olivier Giroud’s injury-time strike.
Rennes vs Chelsea | 24/11/2020
Lampard has a squad that is full of goals at one end and mean at the other.
He has had to take on the role of party pooper, just to try to keep expectations down. But if they win on Sunday, even he will have to admit they look like the real deal.
And what goes against them?
DK: The loss of Toby Alderweireld is a major blow and will make it harder for Tottenham to play Mourinho's way, as they did with such success against City.
If you're going to invite pressure against an attack as good as Chelsea's, you need top defenders and none of Davinson Sanchez, Japhet Tanganga, Joe Rodon or Ben Davies will inspire the same confidence as the Belgian.
Although Spurs broke their Stamford Bridge hoodoo in 2018, they still only have one win there in 30 years.
JR: It is not a squad full of major trophy-winning experience – and the question is how will they react to a set-back.
They will come up against one of the wiliest managers in the game in Mourinho – and one who will have studied any potential fault line.
Right now – other than know-how – it’s hard to see where Chelsea are vulnerable. But if anyone can find their breaking point – it’s Mourinho.
How will the managers approach the game tactically?
DK: Mourinho will stick to his preferred contain-and-counter approach, which worked against City. Chelsea will be allowed to have the ball, provided it is not in dangerous areas, and Spurs will pounce on any opportunity to break.
The Portuguese used a back-three in the EFL Cup win in September - perhaps because he was expecting Lampard to do the same – so don't rule that out. It seems unlikely he would change a winning system, even without Alderweireld, though.
JR: Lampard has found a system that is hugely effective. His 4-3-3 has been behind their winning run and it is more likely to be a case of personnel changes, rather than formation, that will play on his mind.
The danger is that he will get caught up in second-guessing Mourinho, rather than playing to Chelsea’s strengths.
There was an element of that in the 0-0 draw with United earlier in the season when a three-man central defence appeared to be deployed to stop the threat of getting caught on the break by Marcus Rashford or Mason Greenwood – but limited Chelsea as an attacking force.
The 4-3-3 has since provided them with defensive solidity, as well as fluid attacking football.
Which players could make the difference at Stamford Bridge?
DK: The win over City showed that Spurs need the whole team pulling in the same direction but obviously Kane and Son feel like they could be decisive in every game.
Kane will drop deep when Spurs have possession and try to run the game, while Son loves getting behind defences and onto Kane's passes.
Knowing what they're going to do is one thing but stopping them is quite another.
JR: Hakim Ziyech is Chelsea’s main man, their greatest creative force and biggest game-changer.
If Tottenham don’t get to grips with him, he will hurt them.
At the back, Thiago Silva has a big job on his hands trying to limit the threat of Harry Kane, while it will be a fascinating battle to see which full backs dominate.
If Reece James and Ben Chilwell can keep Spurs on the back foot, it could be Chelsea’s day.
What will be key for your team to sustain a serious title challenge?
DK: The squad. Injuries are inevitable this season so it will be up to Tottenham's fringe players to step up and hit the levels that were set in the win over City.
Carlos Vinicius, Harry Winks, Sanchez, Tanganga, Rodon, Lucas Moura and Gareth Bale are all likely to have extended runs in the side at some point.
If they perform, Spurs have a chance of causing a major upset in a season which seems to suit Mourinho’s strengths.
JR: It’s obvious, but consistency is the issue. It cost Chelsea badly last season after such a promising start.
This time around they have the experience from that – as well as £220million of new arrivals.
Lampard now has a formidable squad on his hands – and as Giroud proved on Tuesday against Rennes, the depth of talent at his disposal could make the difference in such a congested season.
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