Tag: Tottenham

Premiership Preview February 7th

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Last weekend’s top of the table Premiership clash between Chelsea and Man City proved something of a damp squib. The absence of Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa sowed the seeds of doubt in the mind of Jose Mourinho and he elected to play for a draw. The Blues went ahead through Loic Remy but never threatened once City had drawn level, seemingly content to protect their five-point lead at the top.

Costa is serving the second of his three-match ban at Villa Park tomorrow when the Blues face Aston Villa. The home side were put to the sword by Arsenal last week and will need to pick themselves up quickly if they are to avoid further embarrassment. The good news for Chelsea fans is that Fabregas returns and Chelsea should win relatively comfortably.

Rivals Man City are at home to another struggling side in Hull City. The visitors have never won at the Etihad and have not scored in 400 minutes of football. City were poor against Arsenal recently but will take heart from their draw at Stamford Bridge and have a fully fit squad. It would be no surprise to seem them resume normal service with Aguero and Dzeko back on the scoresheet.

Assuming there are no dramas at the Chelsea and City games, it is the two big derby games that will get most of the media attention. Steven Gerrard plays his final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park against an Everton side that tasted victory for the first time this year on Saturday. An early goal from Romelu Lukaku was enough to beat Crystal Palace and the Toffees will be looking to build on that against their old rivals.

Despite a good run, Liverpool are still not entirely convincing and came perilously close to being knocked out of the FA Cup by an injury-hit Bolton in midweek. Everton will be up for this one and a draw could be the value bet.

The early kick-off is the North London derby between Spurs and Arsenal. The Gunners have a much stronger squad than they did at the season with several long-term injuries having returned to action. Arsene Wenger’s biggest problem will be team selection and he could probably afford to leave out Sanchez even if he passes a late test. This game finished 3-3 last year and it would be no surprise to see another goal feast here. Arsenal just look the stronger side and can grab three vital points in the battle for a Champions League place.

Arsenal to beat Tottenham @13-10 Bet365

Chelsea (-1.0 handicap) to beat Aston Villa @11-10 William Hill

Man City (-2.0 handicap) to beat Hull City @6-4 Paddy Power

Everton v Liverpool DRAW @5-2 Stan James

Spurs set to return to Wembley

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Tottenham have won the League Cup on four previous occasions, most recently when beating Chelsea 2-1 back in 2008. They were only beaten on penalties by Manchester United the following year and will to return to Wembley if they get at least a draw against Sheffield United on Wednesday.

The competition, now in the guise of The Capital One Cup, is low on the list of priorities for the top Premiership sides but Spurs have every reason to chase silverware. Mauricio Pochettino is in his first season in charge and the club’s aim is to gain a Champions League spot. They are still in contention for a top four finish as well as battling way in the Europa League. Taking them to Wembley would certainly be a feather in Pochettino’s cap as he aims to stem the flow of managers from White Hart Lane in recent years.

Their prep for this match was not ideal, losing 2-1 at home to Leicester in the FA Cup. With the shock exit of Chelsea and Manchester City to opposition from lower leagues, few even noticed the eclipse of Tottenham at White Hart Lane. Just as Mourinho paid the price for making wholesale changes at Stamford Bridge, so did Pochettino. He made nine changes from the side which had performed moderately in the first leg against the Blades.

Tottenham will be back at full strength on Wednesday as they look to protect their slender 1-0 lead. Only a penalty from Andros Townsend spared their blushes last week but that could be enough. Nigel Clough’s team will not go through unless they attack and that will leave them vulnerable on the counter-attack.

Spurs were laboured in the first leg but will be looking to Harry Kane to make the most of any opportunities that come his way. Sheffield United are eighth in League One but Clough took a risk by resting key players for the trip to Preston in the FA Cup at the weekend. His makeshift side escaped with a draw so they are still alive in that competition.

Tottenham look good value at a shade of odds-on to win this match, although I expect it to be difficult in the first half. Harry Kane is bound to get an opportunity at some point while it may be worth taking a chance at a 3-1 score-line at long odds.

Harry Kane scores and Spurs win @9-5 Paddy Power

Tottenham to win @5-6 Bet365

Sheffield United 1 Tottenham 3 @16-1 Coral

Kane can book Cup Final ticket for Spurs

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Tottenham have not won a trophy since winning the League Cup in 2008 but are now just two matches away from a Wembley final.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side have not always been convincing in the first half of the season but they are still in three competitions and in sixth place in the Premiership. Pochettino’s target for the season will be a top four place and Champions League qualification but any trophy would be seen as a triumph.

North London rivals Arsenal finally ended their long wait for Cup success when beating Hull in the FA Cup last season. Tottenham have been handed a gilt-edged opportunity to follow them after being drawn against League 1 side Sheffield United in the semi-final. Liverpool and Chelsea will fight out the right to meet the winners at Wembley.

Pochettino has been able to rotate his squad in order to navigate the early rounds of the Europa League. That competition could yet come back to haunt him in the second half of the season and they also have to prepare for a clash with Leicester in the FA Cup on Saturday. Harry Kane was largely responsible for the 5-3 win over Premiership leaders Chelsea and he will be expected to provide the killer touch on Wednesday evening.

It is typical of Spurs that they lost to Crystal Palace soon after that Chelsea victory but they still have some momentum going into the semi-final. Kane has scored in all the previous rounds and looks a good bet at even money to score in another Spurs win here. Spurs will be hoping to get at least a two-goal cushion for the away leg so that they can approach that game in some comfort.

Sheffield United are no mugs when it comes to Cup ties. The Blades have already beaten Southampton and West Ham in this competition and reached the FA Cup semi-final last year before that dramatic 5-3 defeat against Hull. Nigel Clough will have his team well prepared to try to frustrate the home side but it is difficult to see them holding out for 90 minutes.

Tottenham could also be a good bet on the handicap to overcome a one-goal deficit and take a step closer to Wembley.

Harry Kane to score and Spurs win @2.0 Paddy Power

Tottenham (-1.0 handicap) to win @19-20 BetVictor

Cash in on Super Saints at 6-1

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Southampton stunned Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday and now head to Ipswich in search of a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

The incredible first season in charge for Ronald Koeman came off the back of a summer that appeared to see a mass exodus of star players from St Mary’s. The forecasters of doom were in their element and even Morgan Schneiderlin sought reassurances about the clubs ambitions.

Those predictions look pretty silly now with Saints sitting in third position and as short as 7-4 to finish in the top four for an unprecedented Champions League spot. The wheels appeared to have come off in November with five straight defeats but they are firmly back on an even keel now.

A hard-fought draw against Chelsea and a win over Arsenal preceded Sunday’s victory. Koeman has admitted that he hates the squad rotation methods used by other Premiership sides and will always try to use the best side available to him. Understandably, he was not pleased to be taken to a replay by Ipswich but he is unlikely to change his approach now.

Ipswich are now slouches and are third in the Championship but they are reported to be struggling with a virus that force three midfield players home earlier this week. Mick McCarthy has tried to play it down but there must be a real danger that Ipswich struggle to put a fit team out on Wednesday night. If that is the case, the Saints must be great value in the win and goal markets.

32Red and Paddy Power are offering 6-1 about a Southampton win to new customers up to a maximum of ten pounds. That looks very tempting if you do not already have an account with them. I also like the chances of Pelle getting on the score-sheet here. It was his shot that cannoned back to Tadic on Sunday and he was always a threat in the 1-1 draw at St Mary’s.

Wednesday’s other big tie sees an all-Premiership clash between Spurs and Burnley. Tottenham fans are well used to the roller-coaster ride and had hardly returned to earth after beating Chelsea before suffering a defeat at Crystal Palace. Reports suggest that Harry Kane will not be in the squad on Wednesday while Sean Dyche likes consistency as much as Koeman does at Southampton.

Burnley are a good, honest team and have shown great determination to get points against Man City and Newcastle recently. They thoroughly deserved their win over QPR on Saturday and could be over-priced if Pochettino is too casual about his team selection.

Southampton to win @6-1 32Red & Paddy Power*

*special offer new customers up to a maximum £10

Southampton (-1.0 handicap) @9-4 Coral

Pelle to score and Southampton win @9-4 Ladbrokes

Burnley to beat Tottenham @13-2 Bet365

Hazard to keep Chelsea on course for title

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Sunday’s Premiership football did not exactly go to plan for punters with Chelsea, Man City and Man United all held. The Blues can count themselves unlucky after the Cesc Fabregas penalty incident but they received a late Christmas present from the Etihad when Burnley completed an unlikely comeback to draw 2-2 with the champions.

Once again, City appear to have much the easier task on New Year’s Day with a home game against Sunderland. The injuries to Aguero and Dzeko have left Manuel Pellegrini’s side looking extremely light up front but the fixture list has contrived to put them up against five of the bottom seven teams in recent matches. Sunderland have improved considerably from their nightmare 8-0 defeat at Southampton and will try to emulate Burnley but it looks like another three points for City. David Silva has been outstanding in recent matches and can again get on the scoresheet.

Chelsea are in the late kick-off at White Hart Lane where they face a Tottenham side who are unbeaten in seven matches since losing 3-0 at Stamford Bridge. Spurs had chances to take a shock lead that night but were outclassed once Chelsea engaged top gear. The home side have an appalling record against Chelsea over the years but look a tougher side to beat this season. Eden Hazard is in top form and he could be worth a bet in the goalscorer markets.

It’s been a hectic week in the hiring and firing stakes with Newcastle, Crystal Palace and West Brom all involved. Alan Pardew’s imminent departure from the Magpies probably suits both he and the club after a turbulent couple of seasons. He did well to come through an early-season crisis and leaves the club in the top ten while Newcastle will receive compensation for ending his contract early. I think Newcastle may struggle against Burnley on Thursday as a result and you have to admire the Clarets for battling away at Man City.

Liverpool hit form with a 4-1 win over Swansea on Monday night and, like Man City, are enjoying a very soft run of fixtures. They should be too strong for Leicester while Man United can overcome Stoke at the Britannia Stadium. Louis van Gaal and Wayne Rooney have both been having a moan about the fixture list this week but United are still in fine form and can take all three points.

West Ham impressed me against Arsenal and were desperately unlucky to lose 2-1. They should have gone ahead when Alex Song’s fired home from 25 yards only to have the goal ruled out for a controversial offside decision. They battled back well from 2-0 and had late chances to snatch a point.

They have yet to register a point over Christmas but can put matters right when they face manager-less West Brom. Arsenal face a tricky visit to Southampton who managed to hang on for a point against Chelsea. The key player here could be Alexis Sanchez who has scored in both previous games against the Saints.

Burnley to beat Newcastle @17-4 Bet365

Spurs 1 Chelsea 2 @8-1 Bet365

Eden Hazard to score first @13-2 Bet365

Man City (-1.0 handicap) to beat Sunderland @8-13 Bet365

David Silva to score first @11-2 Bet365

Man United to beat Stoke @21-10 BetVictor

Liverpool (-1.0 handicap) to beat Leicester @6-5 Spreadex

West Ham (-1.0 Handicap) to beat West Brom @9-4 Paddy Power

Alexis Sanchez to score first @11-2 Bet365

Man City to keep the pressure on Blues

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

It was business as usual for the top teams on Boxing Day with victories for Chelsea, Man City, Man United, Southampton, Tottenham and Arsenal. Punters will be eager to re-invest their winnings on Sunday with the action getting under way with the lunchtime clash between Spurs and United at White Hart Lane.

Wayne Rooney has been instrumental in United’s surge up the table into third place, albeit ten points off the leaders Chelsea. He has now scored five in his last seven following a double against Newcastle on Friday.  The England skipper has a fine record against Spurs with nine goals in thirteen games so he will be a popular choice to score for the visitors here.

United’s away form has been moderate but they have only lost one of their last 18 league games in the capital. Tottenham have been battling to beat minor opposition recently and are enjoying a decent run themselves. United may just have too much firepower for them here and Rooney to score in an away win is the bet.

The Newcastle defeat apart, Chelsea have been rolling over teams like a well-oiled machine and now travel to Southampton. The Saints hit the buffers recently with five straight losses but a confidence-boosting win over Everton was followed by three points at Palace on Boxing Day. They have struggled against the top teams and it is difficult to seem doing any better against a full-strength Chelsea team. Eden Hazard has been superb in recent games and could be worth a bet to score at any time, especially considering that he is first choice penalty taker.

Manchester City are set to break a club record that has stood for over a century when they welcome Burnley to the Etihad. They are still without Aguero and Dzeko while Jovetic could play a part in their injury-stricken front-line. You would hardly have known they were lacking a striker when they went 2-0 up in 13 minutes at West Brom with David Silva in fine from. They should have too much flair for a hard-working Burnley side and are worth backing on the handicap markets. I am not convinced that City can hit them for six without a leading striker but they can take the three points to keep them in touch with Chelsea.

There was a distinct lack of festive spirit at Crystal Palace with the yuletide departure of Neil Warnock after just four months in charge. He was unable to pick up where Tony Pulis left off and the bookmakers believe that Tim Sherwood could be the man to fill his shoes. In the meantime, the Eagles face a tricky game at QPR who are having a real Jeckyl and Hyde season. Incredibly, they have yet to take a single point away from Loftus Road but have moved out of the bottom three. Charlie Austin is the man in form and he can score in another home victory.

If there is to be a shock for the top clubs it could come at Upton Park where West Ham face Arsenal. The Hammers were outclassed by Chelsea but will line up differently with home advantage against an Arsenal team that still looks strangely vulnerable in defence. Backing Diafra Sakho to score earlier in the season was a licence to print money and he is back in the side for this London derby. An entertaining draw could be on the cards here and 2-2 might be worth a punt.

Newcastle face Everton in the late kick-off and I favour the home side in view of Everton’s injury list. They are expected to start without Tim Howard or Phil Jagielka and the Magpies must surely fancy their chances. Since beating Chelsea, Alan Pardew’s team have gone into freefall and have shipped 12 goals in four successive defeats. That is hardly inspiring but Everton have been stumbling badly, losing at home to Stoke on Friday.

Tips

Wayne Rooney to score and Man United win @7-2 BWin

Eden Hazard to score and Chelsea win @3-1 BWin

Man City (-2.0 handicap) to win @6-5 Paddy Power

Charlie Austin to score and QPR win @11-4 BWin

West Ham 2 Arsenal 2 @12-1 Bet365

Newcastle to beat Everton @19-10 BetVictor