LONDON – With just five English Premier League games left in his first season in charge, Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou believes that his team have shown “100 per cent” progression since he took over last summer.

Spurs are preparing to make the short trip to Chelsea for their league clash on May 2.

This midweek fixture pits a Blues team, who fought back from 2-0 down last weekend to draw 2-2 with Aston Villa, against Postecoglou’s men, who lost 3-2 to north London rivals Arsenal after trailing 3-0.

Based on that, the momentum is slightly in Chelsea’s favour.

“Their recent form has been very good. They have got some real talent and Mauricio Pochettino is an excellent manager,” Postecoglou admitted on May 1.

“We are playing away from home in the Premier League – so it is always going to be a tough game, whoever we face.”

However, when asked about his team, the Australian added that he has total faith in his players, who are still in the chase for a top-four spot. They sit seven points behind Villa (67) but have two games in hand.

“Clearly, as clear as you want it to be, definitely, 100 per cent,” he said.

“What I see is us playing football, measuring ourselves against the best. My players have got real belief in what we are doing. That’s all I need to see.”

But he will still be wary, knowing that his team’s form is not the best at the moment, especially playing away.

Including the 4-0 thrashing at Newcastle United in mid-April, Tottenham have won only twice in their last 10 away matches in the Premier League.

Furthermore, they have scored just one goal in their previous three matches on the road, while conceding eight.

A trip to Stamford Bridge will be daunting, as the statistics show – Spurs have clinched victory in only one of their last 33 at Chelsea’s home ground.

Interestingly, it was when former Tottenham boss Pochettino, now the Chelsea manager, masterminded a 3-1 win in 2018.

Spurs also have injury problems in attack and defence. RB Leipzig loanee Timo Werner suffered a hamstring injury in the Arsenal game and will miss the reunion with his former club, while Ben Davies has a calf issue.

The duo will join Destiny Udogie, Fraser Forster, Ryan Sessegnon and Manor Solomon in the treatment room, while Oliver Skipp might be fit to make the squad.

As for Chelsea, defenders Thiago Silva and Axel Disasi are the latest injury victims, and they are joined by Wesley Fofana, Reece James, Romeo Lavia, Lesley Ugochukwu, Malo Gusto, Ben Chilwell, Carney Chukwuemeka and Enzo Fernandez on the sidelines.

Raheem Sterling, Robert Sanchez, Christopher Nkunku and Levi Colwill will reportedly face late fitness tests.

Following their draw with Villa, Chelsea are in ninth spot and could still qualify for Europe. The Blues have 48 points, five behind seventh-placed Newcastle United but have a game in hand.

While Pochettino has good memories of beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, he must now do the reverse and ensure that the Blues win. They have won five and drawn one of their last six home matches in all competitions.

“It is always emotional (to face Spurs) but, as I told you before, it is 90 minutes and we want to win,” he said.

On Postecoglou, he admitted that Tottenham have indeed improved under their new manager.

“I think he recovered the hope for the club and the fans. They are playing very good football,” Pochettino added. REUTERS