Former England defender feels Oscar will propel Blues to a long-awaited win at Tottenham
- Oscar (right) has impressed after settling quickly at Chelsea, according to Lee Dixon
Lee Dixon believes Andre Villas-Boas's side will come unstuck against his former charges in Saturday's early kick-off, following the impressive start made to the Barclays Premier League season by Chelsea – and by new boy Oscar in particular.
"Chelsea's signings have caught my eye. I've been particularly impressed by Oscar"
Lee Dixon
The former Arsenal defender, who made more than 300 Barclays Premier League appearances, was surprised to learn that Chelsea have not won at White Hart Lane in the Barclays Premier League since August 2005 but believes nonetheless that the Blues will again prove to be the team to beat in what promises to be an open encounter in north London.
"I fancy Chelsea to win on Saturday," he told premierleague.com. "Along with Arsenal, the way they've started this season they've been a bit of a surprise out of the top teams. Chelsea's signings, although they've been very similar have caught my eye. I've been particularly impressed by Oscar."
The 20-year-old has made five appearances in the English top flight to date and scored a memorable goal in the UEFA Champions League against Juventus last month, and Dixon believes that the speed with which he and fellow newcomers, such as Eden Hazard and Victor Moses, have found their feet at Stamford Bridge has been instrumental in Chelsea's unbeaten start to the campaign.
"A lot of people thought it would take a little bit of time, what with all their new signings, for the midfield to settle down, and perhaps wondered whether [Fernando] Torres would fire and whether they would score enough goals.
"But they've surprised everyone with the way they've started, so we can expect it to be an open game at Tottenham with loads of goals."
Spurs also reinforced their attacking options this summer with Moussa Dembele and Clint Dempsey joining from Fulham and Dixon believes the double-swoop could prove crucial to their prospects this season.
"Tottenham saved themselves with signings that increased their firepower"
Lee Dixon
"Tottenham saved themselves just before the transfer deadline with signings that increased their firepower," he said. "They were right on the limit with [Jermain] Defoe, really, but with Dembele and Dempsey coming in along with [Emmanuel] Adebayor they've strengthened up front."
In a close encounter, however, Dixon is in no doubt as to who will emerge victorious from the lunchtime encounter. "There will be goals on Saturday, but I just see Chelsea nicking it," he concluded. "I’m going for a 3-2 Chelsea win."
For all the latest team news, head-to-head statistics and to view the manager press conferences on Tottenham v Chelsea click here.
For the predictions for this match of FIFA 13, Dean Sturridge and Don Hutchison click here
Dixon was speaking at an exclusive signing session for Arsenal supporters at The Arsenal Brent Cross, the Gunners’ first flagship store in a major retail location. For more information, visit www.arsenaldirect.com.
