It is a London derby of a different nature at White Hart Lane on Sunday. Usually when Tottenham face Chelsea, the hosts are looking up the table at their opponents. A combined XI would feature swathes of blue and little white.

This season the picture is altered. Chelsea’s slump and Tottenham’s surge sees a ten-point gap with Mauricio Pochettino peering down at Jose Mourinho.

Spurs are motoring right now, unbeaten since the opening day, and have a number of players operating at their best. Chelsea have picked up but remain some way below par.

Based on form, but discounting minor injuries, which players would make a composite team ahead of the noon showdown?

(4-2-3-1)

GOALKEEPER

Hugo Lloris v Asmir Begovic

Spurs have only conceded 11 goals this season, the joint second-lowest behind only safety-first Manchester United. Lloris has played a key role in that, offering great assuredness between the posts and an eager eye for early danger. Begovic has actually been very good since replacing injured Thibaut Courtois, pulling off a number of impressive saves. But 23 goals reside in Chelsea’s against column and the Frenchman takes the No 1 spot.

Choice: Lloris

Hugo Lloris continues to impress behind a Tottenham defence that has only conceded 11 league goals

Asmir Begovic has performed well in the absence of Thibaut Courtois but misses out on the No 1 berth

RIGHT BACK

Kyle Walker v Branislav Ivanovic

The mystery behind Ivanovic’s slump from warrior hero to befuddled wretch is as perplexing as it is discomforting. Opposing wide men have time and again twisted him inside out. Walker offers Spurs a solid presence and attacking thrust, as his goal against West Ham showed.

Choice: Walker

Kyle Walker is having a good season and showed his attacking threat with a goal against West Ham

Branislav Ivanovic was the best right back in the Premier League last season but has suffered a dip in form

CENTRE BACK

Toby Alderweireld v John Terry

Probably the best signing Spurs made in the summer, Alderweireld has slipped smoothly into his new team. He has brought solidity and quality at the back, scoring a couple of good goals. Aged 26 has plenty more to give. Last season’s efforts seem to have taken an edge off Terry, who is 35 on December 7. Just don’t say his legs have gone.

Choice: Alderweireld

Toby Alderweireld is proving to be one of the signings of last summer and has chipped in with two league goals

John Terry was immense for Chelsea last season but he has lost his commanding edge this term

CENTRE BACK

Jan Vertonghen v Kurt Zouma

Completing Tottenham’s Belgian backline duo, Vertonghen is an imposing character. Only signed in 2012, he has more than 100 Premier League appearances to his name. Zouma has established himself in the Chelsea defence – no mean feat aged 21 and under Mourinho – and done fine, chipping in with an important header against Arsenal. Will grow into role but for now the elder defender looks preferable.

Choice: Vertonghen

Jan Vertonghen appears to be thriving alongside his compatriot Alderweireld at the heart of Spurs' defence

Young centre back Kurt Zoma has impressed for Chelsea in the past year but just misses out

LEFT BACK

Danny Rose v Cesar Azpilicueta

The Spaniard lost his spot to teenager Kenedy against Norwich, due to Mourinho wanting an attacking option. Azpilicueta should return and continue his dependable performances at some stage. He rarely puts a foot wrong. Rose is largely preferred to Ben Davies in the Premier League and offers more going forward.

Choice: Azpilicueta

Cesar Azpilicueta is Mr dependable for Jose Mourinho and should play against Tottenham on Sunday

Danny Rose is the preferred choice at left back for Spurs ahead of Ben Davies but can't dislodge Azpilicueta

CENTRAL MIDFIELD

Eric Dier v Nemanja Matic

A machine of steel and style last season, Matic’s slump in form is symptomatic of the wider issues at Chelsea. His lowest point came against Southampton. Sent on as a half-time sub, hauled off 27 minutes later as Mourinho raged about mistakes. Dier on the other hand is enjoying a breakthrough season in a new position. The 21-year-old seems to have been around a long time and imposed his ability in remarkable style in the 4-1 win over Manchester City.

Choice: Dier

Eric Dier has excelled having been pushed into midfield by Mauricio Pochettino this season

Nemanja Matic has struggled to dominate games in the manner he did for Chelsea last season

CENTRAL MIDFIELD

Mousa Dembele v Cesc Fabregas

Another position where the Spurs player is ascending as the Chelsea man is falling. Dembele, long admired for his technique and poise, is finally, at 28, showing his potential to the fullest. Fabregas meanwhile is in nothing like the nick that saw him rack up assists at the start of his first season back in England.

Choice: Dembele

Mousa Dembele has started fulfilling his potential in the Tottenham midfield in recent weeks

Cesc Fabregas was key to Chelsea's title winning success last season but has struggled to recapture form

RIGHT WING

Erik Lamela v Willian

The man ostensibly bought to replace Gareth Bale is at last realising his £25.8million pricetag. Once seen as a dud, the 23-year-old is providing the pace and daring Spurs need on the wing. Willian is the only outfield Chelsea player performing to his level and has been exceptional as a creative engine, never stopping. He provides running and goals.

Choice: Willian

Willian has been Chelsea's standout player this season and has netted an incredible six free-kicks

Erik Lamela has begun to show why Tottenham forked out £25.8million for him in 2013 but misses out to Willian

ATTACKING MIDFIELD

Dele Alli v Eden Hazard

Alli, man of the moment for England, has made the step up from League One to Premier League as easily as if hopping from road to curb. Playing more advanced than expected, he challenges defenders with energy and power. Hazard, the reigning PFA Player of the Year, began very sluggish but is starting to show his class and was brilliant as No 10 in the win over Norwich. Tough call, but by virtue of experience and underlying ability Hazard gets the nod this time.

Choice: Hazard

Eden Hazard is starting return to his best form after a sluggish start to the season for Chelsea

Dele Alli has made the step from League One with ease and his displays have earned him England recognition

LEFT WING

Christian Eriksen v Pedro

Much was made of Chelsea’s summer capture of Pedro from under the noses of Manchester United. And the Barcelona sprite twinkled on his debut at West Brom, scoring and doing much more besides. But he has failed to find the net in the league since, just as Eriksen is rediscovering his finest play. His brace at Swansea was vital and he chipped in with two assists against West Ham.

Choice: Eriksen

Much of Spurs' exciting attacking play goes through Christian Eriksen and he bagged two assists last week

Pedro made a bright start to his Chelsea career but has not found the net since his debut against West Brom

CENTRE FORWARD

Harry Kane v Diego Costa

Chelsea are keen to bring the 22-year-old striker to Stamford Bridge and Kane would walk into Mourinho’s current line-up. His second season in the limelight is clicking into gear with nine goals in his last six games. His all-round game is the really impressive feature, his hustling of defenders and link-up play. Costa, such an explosive attacker last season, has endured a torrid campaign and looked affected by fitness issues. The 27-year-old’s goal against Norwich last week was impressively taken but only his fourth of the season.

Choice: Kane

Harry Kane (left) has scored nine goals in his last six games and cannot be overlooked for this composite XI