Ben Davies has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a calf injury picked up in Sunday's north London derby.
With Destiny Udogie also sidelined until late summer, Emerson deputises for the crunch visit to Stamford Bridge.
Timo Werner will miss the rest of the campaign as well, with the hamstring injury which forced him off in the first half of the defeat to Arsenal, which left Postecoglou with a decision to make up front.
Heung-min Son was ineffective through the middle against the Gunners so Richarlison starts for the first time since mid-February, with the South Korean star returning to the left flank.
Dejan Kulusevski replaces the struggling James Maddison at No10, with Brennan Johnson getting the nod on the right wing.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was a surprise starter against Arsenal but Postecoglou recalls Yves Bissouma and Pape Sarr after they were benched on Sunday, with Rodrigo Bentancur dropping to the bench as well.
Tottenham XI: Vicario, Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Emerson, Bissouma, Sarr, Johnson, Kulusevski, Son, Richarlison
Subs: Skipp, Hojbjerg, Dragusin, Maddison, Gil, Lo Celso, Bentancur, Austin, Moore
Time and date: 7.30pm BST on Thursday May 2, 2024
Venue: Stamford Bridge
TV channel and live stream: Sky Sports
