Ancelotti wary of Spurs despite their recent poor run

Ancelotti warned his players not to take Spurs lightly in today’s must-win game despite their appalling record at Stamford Bridge and their recent run of one victory in 10 games.

The last two months have seen Harry Redknapp’s men fall four points behind Manchester City in the race for the final Champions League spot with just five matches remaining.

Three of those are away, at Chelsea – where they have never won in the Premier League era – Liverpool and City, meaning they could struggle even to secure a Europa League spot if their poor form continues.

But Ancelotti insisted: “They are involved in the fight for fourth place. They will try to do everything against us because now they have a gap to close to Man City.”

Chelsea also have a gap to close to leaders Manchester United, who they have slowly reeled in over the past two months to give themselves a glimmer of hope of retaining the title.

Beating Tottenham would move them to within three points of their rivals, who travel to Arsenal tomorrow.

Chelsea will need a favour from the Gunners, whose own title hopes were all but ended by defeat at Bolton last weekend.

Whether Arsene Wenger’s men can lift themselves enough to derail United’s title bid remains to be seen but Ancelotti believes they have plenty to play for.

Arsenal are only five points clear of City having played a game more and finishing in the top three would ensure they would not have to play a Champions League qualifier next season.

Redknapp concurs with Ancelotti that Tottenham are still firmly in the race for fourth and predicts his side’s tussle with Manchester City will go down to the wire.

Having seen his side pip the Eastlands club to fourth last season, Redknapp is confident of taking three points off Chelsea in order to put Tottenham back in this year’s hunt for fourth.

“We need to go to Stamford Bridge and win. It will be a tough game but we have to try and pick up three points to stay in that race,” Redknapp said.

“Man City are in pole position now but it’s all to play for. We have to be positive and win as many as we can. It can still be done. “

“The idea is to be in striking distance when we go to Man City (on May 10).

“We have some tough games coming up but I still think it will go down to the wire.”

The Spurs chief has never hidden his dislike of the Europa League and admits the possibility of competing among Europe’s second tier fills him with dread.

“Our first year in the Champions League has been hard.

“It has taken its toll but the Europa League takes a bigger toll,” Redknapp said.

“Playing on Thursday and Sunday is not ideal but if that’s what we end up with that’s what we end up with.”