As Ange Postecoglou prepares for Thursday’s Premier League showdown against Chelsea, he faces immense scrutiny in the Tottenham Hotspur dugout and risks setting an unfortunate precedent at Stamford Bridge.

Spurs headed into the March international break after suffering a discouraging loss at Fulham, marking their 15th defeat of the Premier League season. They approach their upcoming match against London rivals Chelsea in dismal form.

The team finds itself in the lower half of the table, and frustration is mounting in north London. Postecoglou is facing growing criticism from both the media and the Tottenham fan community.

Chelsea could pile more misery on the Lilywhites on Thursday night and boast a mightily impressive record in this fixture. They have lost just once across 90 minutes during their previous 16 clashes with Tottenham and Postecoglou has lost all three of his battles with the Blues to date.

Chelsea did the double over Spurs last season and were 4-3 victors in a chaotic affair at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium earlier this term, with Cole Palmer’s penalty brace helping Enzo Maresca’s side to a comeback win.

If the Lilywhites are beaten by the Blues midweek, then Postecoglou will become the first manager in Tottenham history to lose all of his first four matches against Chelsea, as per Sky Sports.

Defeat is a distinct possibility for Spurs at Stamford Bridge and the return of Chelsea trio Palmer, Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke from injury will only make Tottenham’s life more challenging. Postecoglou’s side have failed to win any of their last three league matches and will be desperate to secure three points in west London.

Chelsea are in greater need of victory on Thursday as they chase Champions League qualification and will finish Matchday 30 in the top four should they win. For Spurs, Europa League glory is the only route to salvation at the end of a difficult campaign.