This week (an eight-day one) may have been the international club scene’s answer to the conference title stretch leading to the NCAA Tournament, known to man as March Madness.  There were more matches that held significant value for any different reason than will probably be seen until deep into fall.

It culminates today with a rather tasty Carling Cup title matchup, all things considered. It’s tempting to like a Spurs upset at Wembley simply because this match would place a sizable band-aid on what has by and large been a disappointing year. Tottenham, indeed, have more to play for.

But I would gladly take the liberty to change my prediction from Tuesday’s show given the chance. You get the feeling Chelsea is fully feeling their mortality more than ever, slipping out of the Premiership title race slowly but surely in recent weeks and looking vulnerable in what would have been a slam dunk Champions League putout of Olympiacos in recent years. Avram Grant, and also and also especially Wayne Bridge, seem to be viewing this as a late rallying point for the home stretch. In addition, a win gives the Blues a nice new item of propaganda in their continued fight to overcome skepticism about their Mourinho baggage.

The reality is Chelsea are facing their most uncertain summer since 2004, when Grandmaster Especial himself first arrived. There are plenty of questions already. Will Grant remain at the helm? What’s Drogba’s Deal? (The opinion here is the signing of Anelka and the omission of interest in Ronaldinho are for want of a sure-fire insurance policy to aid in an expected Drogba move) Will Lampard seal a commitment to the club with a new contract extending into the teeth of his illustrious career? Or will the club balk, pin hopes on Michael Ballack and develop an international star-focused side to rival the likes of Arsenal’s? (A. Cole, Lampard and Bridge could all conceivably leave depending on how the cards are dealt)

All this is on the table and yet no one at Stamford Bridge really wants to smell the word “transition” just yet. With their best 11 against Spurs, the Blues can be expected to continue the Carling title trend of the Big Four bullying the given contender — not since 1994, when Aston Villa knocked off Manchester United, have one of the Big Four conceded the championship to a side outside the Big Four. If Chelsea’s power midfield can lock down quicker Tottenham’s, denying access to Berbatov and Keane in the process, the match may struggle to live up to its billing. If anyone’s asking, Spurs might be expected to take a while to reach an effective comfort zone, Chelsea can nurture some sort of early momentum and be bet on to walk away with a 2-1 victory.