A fourth London derby in a month approaches. Club historian Rick Glanvill and statistician Paul Dutton prepare for the defence of Chelsea's long and proud home record against Spurs.

Rick weighs up the strength of the challenge.

Although they are undergoing a renaissance under new manager Juande Ramos, Tottenham have history against them in this fixture: they have not beaten any of Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool or Manchester United away in the league since August 1993.

They lilywhites have not won at Stamford Bridge since three years before then, 1990. Over those 18 barren but eventful years perhaps the closest they have come to a victory of any kind was last season's FA Cup, when an out-of-sorts Chelsea side was 1-3 down after 35 minutes before storming back with goals from Frank Lampard and Salomon Kalou to draw the tie.

The replay produced a far simpler 2-1 win for Chelsea on the back of stunning strikes from Andriy Shevchenko and Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Ricardo Carvalho, welcomed back after suspension on Tuesday evening against Everton, scored the only goal in a low-key lunchtime version of this league fixture back in April, the visitors exhausted from European exertions.

Ossie Ardiles was the last Spurs boss to triumph over a 'Big Four' club in the Premier League - a 2-1 win at Liverpool. Although he is the eighth man to try to his luck over the intervening period (14th including caretakers), former Seville coach Ramos has to believe that one day his time will come. Since his arrival in late October he has assessed his squad carefully and decided that serious revision is required.

He left the off-form England keeper Paul Robinson (culpable in both Reading's goals in the 2-2 FA Cup draw) out for Wednesday's visit to the Emirates, handing 33-year-old Radek Cerny, Petr Cech's understudy in the Czech Republic team, his fifth start this season.

Cerny has not stopped the opposition scoring in any of his matches, but then one thing you know with Spurs is they will almost certainly concede: they have kept only three clean sheets in the Premier League all season, at home to Derby and Wigan and, surprisingly, at Portsmouth's Fratton Park.

Ramos, who at 53 is one year older than his Chelsea counterpart Avram Grant, is rumoured to have his axe hovering over others in the transfer window. These include striker Jermain Defoe, whose bench-sitting has not diminished with the change of manager, and right-back Pascal Chimbonda as well as less regularly used squad members.

Judging from one or two key selections he has made, cups appear a higher priority than the fatally holed campaign to secure a European place in the league (Spurs were in the relegation zone after a disastrous start and have now risen to 12th).

In the knockout games against Reading and Arsenal the Spaniard started with Robbie Keane upfront and Ledley King the defensive lynchpin, whereas both have been omitted from recent league action.

The sudden death arena is where Ramos is most comfortable and has built his reputation in Spain. He won the Uefa Cup two seasons running for Seville, beating Middlesbrough 4-0 in 2006, then the following season triumphed after penalties in an all-Spanish affair with Espanyol.

He also won the Uefa Super Cup, the Supercopa de España and the Copa del Rey before his move to Blighty. His highest Primera finish was third in 2007.

So King, who made his first appearance after six months out with a knee injury on Boxing Day, played again three days later and was then rested. He featured fully again on Saturday in the FA Cup and the League Cup semi four days after. He looked tired by the end against Arsenal, though, especially on their equaliser.

Maybe he will be rested for this game - but his partner Michael Dawson, 24, is nothing without his mentor.

Spurs' tactics at the Emirates carried other pointers towards this 135th west/north London derby. It was a game they should have won handsomely with wave after wave of attack, but indecisiveness in front of goal let them down. It is unlikely they will arrive at the Bridge, like the more defensive Martin Jol a few seasons back, to 'park the bus', as José Mourinho memorably observed.

Tottenham play a direct, pressing game with a lopsided 4-4-2 formation, the right sided Aaron Lennon and Pascal Chimbonda playing far further up the pitch than Steed Malbranque and Young-Pyo Lee on the left.

Youngsters Jamie O'Hara and Jermaine Jenas share responsibility for alternately shielding the defence and supporting the attack. Robbie Keane is generally the target man upfront, with the elusive Dimitar Berbatov lying deeper so that he can face the opponents' goal and cause more damage. Lennon is often asked to push forward when the ball is in Spurs' half because of the threat his pace carries to wary defenders who rely on catching forwards offside.

Left-footed O'Hara, reminiscent of Bolton's Nolan with his languid skills and passing ability, has been handed responsibility for nearly all Tottenham's set-pieces, which he fires in with a low, dipping trajectory. On offensive corners King, Berbatov and Dawson attack the middle of the box together, hoping the equally dangerous Chimbonda is left unattended at the back.

When shielding corners, Ramos asks his team to defend zones rather than individuals, which sometimes leads to mismatches one-on-one.

With the keeper in possession, Spurs favour long kick outs that generally target Robbie Keane, who can flick or hold the ball to bring in others. Berbatov is the enigma of their side.

Sulky and ineffective in August and September, he has directed his side superbly recently, and especially against Arsenal. 'He doesn't turn up where you want him to be,' observed Arsène Wenger. In fact, he turns up where you don't want him, taking possession in dangerous areas with a range of options in his talented feet.

As a former midfielder Ramos will know that the frailty in that area of the side Wenger fielded on Wednesday allowed most of what he planned and hoped for to come off.

Despite Chelsea lynchpin Mikel having gone to the African Cup of Nations, they will surely not be given so much liberty in the middle at Stamford Bridge, especially with a resurgent Michael Ballack in such good form.

After a year of adaptation and injury the German is proving a talisman on the pitch, especially in the absence of the usual leaders. In the time Ballack has been on the pitch since coming on against Liverpool in the Carling Cup, Chelsea have scored 10 goals. He has scored two of them (including a penalty he won for himself) and earned an assist for his contribution in three others. He has also gone fearsomely close with one or two free kicks.

There is also the prospect of Frank Lampard returning shortly. Despite media observations, the two midfielders worked well together last season, setting up several goals for each other.

Frank, remember, is one short of his hundred goals for Chelsea. Why not knock the last run of the century against our local rivals? But this weekend may come just too soon for him and his injured thigh. Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini - on the bench in midweek - are back and in full training.

Although he understandably faded after two months out, Florent Malouda's deft pass to Wright-Phillips and his interplay with others down the left gave the team excellent balance.

Switching SWP to a more central role in the 2-1 defeat of Everton was a brilliant success, capped by one superbly taken goal and much credit for forcing the winner. He seemed inspired by the freedom to rove, take on players either side and hit dangerous passes, rather than steal a few yards and cross.

The tactic may be replicated against Tottenham if Claudio Pizarro, whose link play was good but who needs a goal for confidence, is once again the only forward available to Avram Grant.

CHELSEA v TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR - Paul Dutton adds numbers to the story.

Chelsea are looking to extend our unbeaten run against Tottenham at Stamford Bridge to 21 games in 18 years. We have won 13 and drawn seven scoring 39 goals and conceding 16. Spurs last win here was in February 1990 in the old First Division when they won 2-1 with goals from David Howells and Gary Lineker. John Bumstead replied for Chelsea.

Tottenham's away Premier League record against the 'Big Four' is as follows: played 63, won two (against Arsenal and Liverpool both in 1993), drawn 19 and lost 42.

The record at their North London rivals is better than the other three.
Arsenal won one, drawn six, lost nine, nine points from 48
Liverpool won one, drawn five, lost 10, eight points from 48
Chelsea won none, drawn five, lost 10, five points from 45
Man Utd won none, drawn three, lost 13, three points from 48

Chelsea have been beaten twice in 25 games in all competitions under Avram Grant in a run that has seen 18 wins and 16 clean sheets. Joleon Lescott's own goal on Wednesday was our seventh goal scored after the 86th minute since Avram took control. The other six were from Shevchenko (Man City h, Leicester h, Liverpool LC h), Lampard (Leicester h), Ballack (Aston Villa h) and Kalou (Newcastle h). We have conceded three in the same time frame from Saha pen (Man Utd a) , Cahill (Everton PL h) and Barry pen (Aston Villa h).

Chelsea are hoping to continue our record unbeaten league run at Stamford Bridge to 74 games. Our last defeat was against Arsenal on February 21st 2004.

Chelsea have not lost at Stamford Bridge for 55 games in all competitions. Our last defeat came in February 2006 when Barcelona beat us 2-1 in the Champions League. We are approaching our club record 58 games without defeat that began with the Arsenal Premier League game in February 2004 and ending with the above Barcelona game.

No other Premier League team have scored more than Tottenham's 42 goals this season and only Derby with 46, Reading 44 and Sunderland 40 have conceded more than our North London visitors total of 38. Their games also have the highest aggregate 80 goals in 21 league games.

Tottenham's only clean sheet on their league travels this season came at Fratton Park against Portsmouth in December.

They have found the net in each of their last 28 games in all competitions. The 1-0 defeat at Man Utd in August was the last time Spurs have failed to score.

Chelsea are unbeaten in the last 45 games in all competitions when scoring the opening goal - 42 wins, three draws. The last occasion was at Tottenham in November 2006.

Chelsea have played 33 games in all competitions. We have won 21, drawn nine and lost three. We have scored 56 goals, conceded 23 and have kept 18 clean sheets. We have failed to score against Blackburn, Fulham and Valencia at home and away to Arsenal, Aston Villa, Man Utd and Schalke.

Our Premier League record against Spurs at Stamford Bridge in full is as follows:
1992/93 Drew 1-1
1993/94 Chelsea won 4-3
1994/95 Drew 1-1
1995/96 Drew 0-0
1996/97 Chelsea won 3-1
1997/98 Chelsea won 2-0
1998/99 Chelsea won 2-0
1999/00 Chelsea won 1-0
2000/01 Chelsea won 3-0
2001/02 Chelsea won 4-0
2002/03 Drew 1-1
2003/04 Chelsea won 4-2
2004/05 Drew 0-0
2005/06 Chelsea won 2-1
2006/07 Chelsea won 1-0

Tottenham's away league record is won one (Portsmouth 1-0), lost five (Sunderland 0-1, Man Utd 0-1, Newcastle 1-3, Arsenal 1-2, Aston Villa 1-2) and drawn five (Fulham 3-3, Bolton 1-1, Liverpool 2-2, Middlesbrough 1-1, West Ham 1-1).

Tottenham's last six games
Dec 22 Arsenal (a) L 1-2
Dec 26 Fulham (h) W 5-1
Dec 29 Reading (h) W 6-4
Jan 1 Aston Villa (a) L 1-2
Jan 5 Reading (FAC3 h) D 2-2
Jan 9 Arsenal (LCSF a) D 1-1

Spurs have played 32 games in all competitions winning 12, losing 10 and drawing 10. They have scored 65 goals, conceded 48, have kept seven clean sheets and failed to score twice.

Tottenham fought out an entertaining draw with Arsenal in the other Carling Cup semi-final at the Emirates on Wednesday. Robinson was dropped to the bench. Team (4-4-2) Cerny; Chimbonda, Dawson, King (c), Lee; Lennon, Jenas, O'Hara, Malbranque (Boateng 77); Berbatov, Keane (Defoe 83). Jenas opened the score on 37 minutes. Walcott equalised with 11 minutes left.

Premier League scorers:
Tottenham (42): Keane 10 (3 pens), Berbatov 8, Defoe 4, Bent 3, Jenas 3, Malbranque 3, Bale 2, Chimbonda 2, Huddlestone 2, Kaboul 2, Dawson 1, Gardner 1, Lennon 1,
Chelsea (33): Drogba 5, Kalou 5, Lampard 5 (2 pens), Shevchenko 4 (1 pen), J Cole 3, Essien 3, Alex 2, Ballack 2 (1 pen), Belletti 1, Malouda 1, Pizarro 1, Wright-Phillips 1.

Steed Malbranque has played in all 21 Premier League games. No Chelsea player has appeared in every match. Salomon Kalou has made most appearances with 20, six as substitute.

After 21 games, Arsenal top the Premier League with 50 points followed by Man Utd 48, Chelsea 44, Man City 39, Liverpool 38 and Everton and Aston Villa 36. Liverpool have a game in hand.
Tottenham are 12th with 24 points.

The other Premier League games featuring the top clubs this weekend are: Arsenal v Birmingham (Sat 3pm), Aston Villa v Reading (Sat 3pm), Everton v Man City (Sat 3pm), Middlesbrough v Liverpool (Sat 3pm) and Man Utd v Newcastle (Sat 5.15pm).

Frank Lampard is a goal away from becoming Chelsea's eighth centurion in goals. He currently has 99 for the club in six and a half years since joining from West Ham in June 2001.

Tottenham have three players suspended. Jermaine Jenas and Didier Zokora for five cautions and Tom Huddlestone for his sending off against Reading last weekend.

Chelsea have Juliano Belletti, Ricardo Carvalho, Joe Cole, Frank Lampard and John Terry one yellow card away from a one match ban for reaching five bookings. They will miss next Saturday's match at Birmingham should they receive a caution against Tottenham.

A warm welcome back to Gus Poyet, one of our most outstanding midfielders. In four successful years at Stamford Bridge he won the 1998 European Cup Winners Cup and UEFA Super Cup and the 2000 FA Cup and Charity Shield. He scored 49 goals in 110+35 appearances.

The referee is Alan Wiley, who officiated Chelsea's controversial defeat at the Emirates when John Terry's foot was broken in a challenge by Emmanuel Eboue. He also overlooked goalscorer William Gallas's shove on Tal Ben-Haim.

Spurs have won the League Championship twice in 1951 and 1961, one fewer than Chelsea. Their last major piece of silverware was the League Cup in 1999.

Chelsea's overall record against Tottenham in all competitions is: played 134, won 57, drawn 31, lost 46.

Head-to-head in the league at Stamford Bridge: played 59, won 28, drawn 12, lost 19.

LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Chelsea 1 Tottenham 0
Premiership, Saturday April 7th 2007, Stamford Bridge
Chelsea (4-1-2-1-2) Cech; Ferreira, Carvalho, Terry (c), Bridge; Makelele; Wright-Phillips (Ballack 70), Mikel (J Cole 83); Lampard; Kalou (Shevchenko 73), Drogba.
Manager José Mourinho.
Booked J Cole, Drogba
Scorer Carvalho (51)
Tottenham (4-1-2-1-2): Robinson (c); Stalteri, Dawson, Rocha, Chimbonda; Jenas (Zokora 80); Ghaly, Tainio (Taarabt 63); Malbranque; Defoe, Mido (Berbatov 68).
Manager Martin Jol
Booked Ghaly
Referee Rob Styles.
Crowd 41,864.
Tottenham kicked off 39 hours after finishing their Uefa Cup tie in Seville. It was Chelsea's eighth Premiership clean sheet in a row.