Saturday is a big game for Chelsea Football Club, and the Blues fans here in the Transfer Tavern are buzzing, though somewhat apprehensive.

An FA Cup semi final at Wembley is a fantastic outing, and Antonio Conte’s men will look to pay the home of football another visit at the end of May.

In recent weeks however, this game has become so much more than a battle for Cup success.

With Spurs’ title surge gathering momentum, Chelsea’s supposedly unassailable lead is suddenly not so secure.

The North London side have clawed the Blue’s lead to a catchable 4 points, and Mauricio Pochettino’s men are the league’s in form team.

This game is being billed as a potential title decider, with the winner acquiring the mental edge in the race for Premier League glory.

With that in mind, Conte will be taking this fixture very seriously.

Gone are the early rounds of the Cup when youngsters are blooded into the first team, players rested for upcoming league matches.

This is a must win game for the Italian’s boys.

Chelsea will have to dominate the game against a dangerous Spurs side, and that dominance will emerge from Conte’s midfield selection.

Here, our landlord takes a look at which midfield stars should be on the teamsheet this weekend…..

N’Golo Kante

This one is a no brainer.

Kante has been the most consistent player in the league for the second season in a row, and is a candidate for the PFA Player of the Year award.

The former Leicester man will be the first name on Antonio Conte’s team sheet, and could be key if Chelsea are to advance past a strong Tottenham team.

The creative flair of Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen makes the Lilywhites a dangerous side going forward, and Chelsea will rely on their star man to keep the pair in check.

For once, Kante looked helpless at times against Manchester United at the weekend, and a stronger performance is needed from the man in the middle if his side are to progress.

Kante will be key to Chelsea’s success on the day.

Nemanja Matic

Due to the threat posed by Alli and Eriksen, Chelsea will need two holding midfielders to avoid the defence being overrun, and to allow their more attack minded colleagues the freedom to move forward.

Matic was phenomenal when he linked up with the Blues after a spell in Portugal with Benfica, but in recent times the Serb’s performances have dwindled.

Matic is arguably playing for his Chelsea future, having been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge. Saturday could be an opportunity to force his way back into next season’s plans.

Eden Hazard

Hazard was another player who underperformed against Manchester United.

The Belgian was marked out of the game by Ander Herrera, and struggled to find the space to really threaten the United back line. Despite this, Hazard has had a fantastic season, and was named in the PFA Team of the Year on Thursday.

The winger is the best in the Premier League, and Tottenham will have to work hard to control him. If Hazard is unplayable, Chelsea will win the game.

Hazard is another linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge, and with a possible move to Real Madrid in the offing, Hazard will want to end his spell in London with silverware to his name.

Pedro

Spanish winger Pedro knows all about what it takes to win big games, and that is why he should start on Saturday.

Countless successes at Barcelona have given Pedro a winning mentality, and this experience could prove invaluable to Antonio Conte’s side on Saturday.

Pedro has consistently performed for Chelsea this season, and 11 goals across the season, complimented by 7 assists, makes the La Masia academy graduate a key component in this Chelsea team.

Pedro should start down the wing on Saturday, and his threat going forward should give full backs Kyle Walker and Danny Rose something to think about.