Enzo Maresca insists Chelsea aren’t favourites for London derby against Tottenham as the manager continues to play down the Blues’ chances this season

Enzo Maresca insists Chelsea are not favourites to beat Tottenham, despite some Spurs supporters claiming on radio phone-ins they are tempted to stay away from Sunday’s London derby out of fear of a humiliating spanking.

Ange Postecoglou’s team find themselves in a tough moment, two weeks on from their 4-0 beating of Manchester City. 

By contrast, Chelsea are flying under Maresca, who said he does not believe there will be any no-shows from the home fanbase. 

‘First of all, the fans are going to be there, no doubt,’ Maresca said. ‘And second, we are not favourite, absolutely not. ‘They are playing European competition, like us, we are there. But not because we are second in the table, we are favourite, absolutely not.’ 

Ange Postecoglou’s side go into the game off the back of a 1-0 defeat against Bournemouth

Some Chelsea fans have suggested they won’t attend out of fear of a heavy defeat

Like Chelsea now, Tottenham were briefly talked up as Premier League title contenders last season under Postecoglou, but Maresca says he is not using Spurs’ sudden struggle as a lesson to be learned. 

‘I don’t think we need Ange’s experience or Tottenham’s experience to understand things can change quick,’ he said. ‘Every season in football, in England, in Spain, in Italy, every country, things can change quick.’