Sunday 29th November Kickoff: 1200hrs
Tottenham v Chelsea
Football – England – Premier League
Matches between Tottenham and Chelsea are usually very fiery affairs and there’s certainly no love lost between the two sets of supporters. The trials and tribulations of Chelsea – and improvement of Tottenham – makes this particular game even more exciting. A win for Spurs and it would take them 13 points clear of the current champions – something that has been unheard of for the last couple of decades.
Defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford on the opening day of the season remains Spurs’ only loss of this Premier League campaign meaning they are now 12 games unbeaten. With Europa League progress already assured, too, it has been a very positive start to this season and one that could well deliver the much talked about Champions League football in 12 months. Last weekend’s 4-1 win over another London rival, West Ham, was yet another indication of how much confidence the team are playing with at the moment and was their sixth win in their last nine league games. In comparison to last season, and even at the start of this one, Spurs are consistently more of a threat and are not relying on Harry Kane to score all their goals
Chelsea managed to win back-to-back games, this week, for the first time since September which illustrates just how much of a struggle it has been for last season’s title winners. Considering they lost just one of their first 19 leagues games in 2014-15, to see that Jose Mourinho’s men have already lost seven this term, is quite frankly astounding. Whatever the reason – whether it be players unrest, discord between the coaching staff and playing squad, or another of the reasons being bandied about – it is every bit as surprising as Leicester’s excellent start to the season. Mourinho will be hoping that the narrow victory over Norwich, followed by a comprehensive win against a woeful Champions League opponent, will be the catalyst to get their season back on track.
Despite their very good start to this season, Tottenham have yet to break into the much coveted top four which is ultimately their aim come the end of the season. Due to how competitive the battle for those places will be, it makes the games such as Sunday’s all that more important. Not only would it give them an opportunity of moving above Arsenal into fourth, but it also deals another massive blow to Chelsea’s chances of playing Champions League next year. Mauricio Pochettino goes about his business very quietly, and whilst he would never admit as much, he knows how important three points will be tomorrow – for a number of reasons.
Chelsea will have had nightmares since their last visit to a White Hart Lane when they lost 5-3 back on New Years Day. It was the first real sign that this team are not not invincible and there are definitely limitations. Those limitations have come to the fore ever since, starting with their exit in last season’s Champions League and continuing into this campaign with such a horrendous run of results. One of the biggest issues that has faced the manager is finding the right balance in defence. John Terry has been rounded on this season and was exposed in that 5-3 defeat 11 months ago. The Chelsea captain has found his way back into the team however and remains an important part of Mourinho’s plans. He is sure to be under the spotlight come kickoff tomorrow, though.
Tottenham v Chelsea Betting Tips
An earlier kickoff than normal means the European exertions of both clubs could well be more of a factor that normal, particularly for Tottenham. Spurs had to travel to Azerbaijan on Thursday and fielded a very strong team in order to ensure qualification. Chelsea have had an extra days rest following their trip to Israel and it will be interesting to see how much of an effect that will have. On a positive for Tottenham, there was certainly no signs of tiredness when they played the North London derby after their last European fixture.
This was a game I was very keen to play Tottenham in having watched them over the last few weeks. The pace that their attacking players are performing at the moment, and the level of confidence that is flowing through the squad is there for all to see. Kane is back amongst the goals and there is a sense of anticipation whenever Dele Alli gets on the ball. However, having picked up a needless booking in the win over West Ham, Alli will be unavailable for this game and that is enough to convince me to look elsewhere for a bet.
Chelsea’s defensive problems are well known and it is difficult to see a way in which Mourinho can set up to prevent Spurs taking advantage of that weakness at some point. The hosts have scored 13 goals in their last four games but they have also not kept a clean sheet in that spell. Chelsea remain more than capable of causing opposition defences problems of their own and have scored in four of their last five away games. It might not be the biggest price we back this weekend, but I think both teams to score looks very promising in what has the potential to be a very entertaining game.
Both teams to score 4/6 @ Betfred
