Spurs need unlikely win to upset Blues in CC finalhttp://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/7825880/Spurs-need-unlikely-win-to-upset-Blues-in-CC-finalThe London rivals will be contesting the tournament's first final at Wembley since 2000, with Tottenham counting just two wins in 42 matches against the defending champion Blues in 18 years.
Spurs have beaten Chelsea in a major final before, but that was in the FA Cup 41 years ago.
Chelsea is favorite to retain the title it won by beating Arsenal last season, but Tottenham has some hope of an upset after last month's 5-1 semifinal win over the same opponent.
That win over Arsenal was the Spurs' first against their fierce local rival for nine years and suggested that they could edge Chelsea, one of English soccer's most successful sides, to the first trophy of the domestic season.
"It will be a very difficult game, considering Tottenham are in good form and they are very excited to be in a final against Chelsea," Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard said. "We have to make sure we're on guard, as they have a lot of threats in their team going forward."
Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane have scored 36 goals between them for Tottenham this season even after the team struggled early on, with Aaron Lennon, Steed Malbranque and Jermaine Jenas breaking from midfield to support.
The quintet were key to the surprise win over the Gunners and coach Juande Ramos will be relying on them again Sunday.
"This is the same team that beat Arsenal three weeks ago," Ramos said. "So it is capable of winning."
But despite Tottenham's improvement since Ramos replaced Martin Jol in October, Chelsea goes into the match as the firm favorite.
Chelsea is third in the Premier League - eight places and 23 points ahead of Tottenham - and is in contention for four trophies.
Coach Avram Grant has steadied the team since the popular Jose Mourinho left in September and Chelsea could end up retaining the League Cup and FA Cup, as well as winning the Champions League and English title.
While Spurs have mostly languished in mid table in recent years and even flirted with relegation, the purchase of Chelsea by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich five years ago established the west London team as one of the most formidable in Europe.
Chelsea has won two Premier League titles, two FA Cups and two League Cups since Tottenham last lifted a trophy with its third League Cup in 1999.
And Chelsea has another advantage - it has had two more days than Tottenham in which to rest and prepare. Chelsea warmed up with a 0-0 Champions League draw at Olympiakos on Tuesday, two days before the Spurs drew 1-1 with Slavia Prague to advance in the less prestigious UEFA Cup.
Grant has praised his squad for going unbeaten for more than two months despite the absence of players including John Terry, Frank Lampard, Andriy Shevchenko, Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel because of injury or attendance at the African Cup of Nations.
Lampard returned to action in the 0-0 Premier League draw with Liverpool two weeks ago and is sure to start at the rebuilt Wembley stadium after resting with just a brief substitute appearance against Olympiakos.
"I've been out six weeks," Lampard said. "I felt fresh but the manager didn't want to take a chance with me in the end."
Without a rich owner such as Abramovich, Tottenham has been unable to acquire stars as well known as Chelsea's Lampard and Drogba.
But one they do have could decide the match.
Bulgaria striker Berbatov cost Tottenham about one third of the 30 million pounds Chelsea paid for former European player of the year Andriy Shevchenko, but his 39 goals in 86 matches over 18 months have led to him being linked with Bayern Munich and Manchester United.
And unlike most Tottenham players, he knows what it is like to score against Chelsea after getting a goal in last season's 3-3 FA Cup draw.
Ramos may decide to retain goalkeeper Paul Robinson he excelled on his recall to the team against Slavia Prague, but his biggest decision looks to be whether to play captain Ledley King in central defense.
Michael Dawson may miss the match because of a hamstring problem, so Ramos needs a partner for likely starter Jonathan Woodgate.
King has played just six matches this season and has not recovered sufficiently from a long-term knee injury to reclaim his regular spot. He last played in the semifinal win over Arsenal.
"That's not a decision that's been taken yet," Ramos said. "I would like him to be always able to play, but his condition has not allowed that."
If the captain misses out, midfielders Tom Huddlestone or Didier Zokora could drop back to fill the defensive hole, although Ramos may then be short in the center because Kevin-Prince Boateng may be absent with a hamstring injury.
Whatever his lineup, Ramos knows what victory would mean to the Tottenham fans.
"It would be magnificent," Ramos said. "Particularly because it would bring tremendous happiness to a club that needs a trophy.
"It's been a long time since it won a cup."
