Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea
This weekend’s Premier League offering may not officially end until Monday – the day after Bonfire Night – but, my word, we can expect potential fireworks when it arrives!
That’s because, for those of you who are unaware, these two don’t really like each other very much – at least sections of their fans don’t.
The return of Mauricio Pochettino should ensure a generous pre-match but, once the whistle sounds, expect Premier League highlights and a combative 90 minutes in North London.
Talking Points
It remains to be seen what actual reception the Argentine – who was at Spurs from 2014 to 2019 when he helped the club become a force again and even reached the 2019 Champions League Final – receives after he joined their long-term rivals Chelsea this summer.
However, I imagine the majority will afford him a warm welcome given what he achieved during his six years in North London and the fact it appears owner Danie Levy overlooked him for a possible return earlier this year.
From where I’m standing, if he can get a settled team playing regularly, Pochettino actually has more options and a better all-round squad at his disposal at his new employers than his former club – and so he should after their incredible investment.
On saying all of that, what Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou is achieving was something few expected and his record of eight wins and two draws from their first 10 league games is mightily impressive.
Postecoglou has already said he hopes Pochettino receives a reception worthy of his “undeniable impact” on Monday night but that is where the plaudits will stop.
There is a football match to be won and the fact Spurs are a massive 14 points ahead of Chelsea – and it’s only early November – tells you everything you need to know about their respective starts to the season.
Which version of inconsistent Chelsea turns up also remains to be seen. Will it be the side which should have seen off Arsenal two weeks ago or the outfit which missed several chances and was beaten at home by Brentford last Saturday?
While Spurs were preparing for the return of their respected former boss, Chelsea were enjoying a midweek success over Blackburn to reach the quarter-finals of the League Cup,
Albeit a match which, as Blackburn boss Jon Dahl Tomasson rightly pointed out, was a meeting between the millionaires of the Premier League and the youngsters of the Championship.
History
After holding a hoodoo over Spurs for so long, Chelsea then struggled for a few years against their London rivals.
They then regained the upper hand, including five victories in six, four of which came two seasons ago, three within as many weeks of each other.
In January 2022, they were 2-0 home winners in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final as Kai Havertz and an own goal put them in control before Antonio Rudiger scored the only goal of the second leg for a 3-0 aggregate success.
When they met in the league at Stamford Bridge little over a week later, Chelsea – managed by Thomas Tuchel – again triumphed as Hakim Ziyech and Thiago Silva scored two quick goals early in the second half without reply.
The earlier season meeting in North London had resulted in a comfortable 3-0 win for the Blues, Silva, N’Golo Kante and Rudiger the marksmen – which meant over four games, Chelsea were 8-0 winners.
It was different last season when Harry Kane netted a stoppage-time equaliser in a thrilling 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge in which the post-match exchange between Tuchel and ex-Spurs boss Antonio Conte made the headlines.
They then managed their first league victory over them in four years last February when Oliver Skipp and Kane scored the goals in a 2-0 win.
That day, the sides were managed by Conte and Graham Potter – both had departed their respective clubs just over a month later.
Overall, Chelsea have triumphed in 77 of their meetings with Spurs enjoying victory 56 times and 42 matches ending all square.
Betting Tip
The SBOTOP Premier League betting odds concur with me as they back Spurs 1X2 @ 2.15 compared to Chelsea 1X2 @ 2.86.
Asian Handicap odds reflect the same with offers of -0.50 Spurs @ 2.16 and 0.00 Chelsea @ 2.51.
Another 2-0 home win will pay out @ 11.00, while goal offerings include Total Goal 0-1 @ 4.10, 2-3 @ 1.98, 4-6 @ 3.00 and over 3.00 @ 2.20.
The 1X2 draw is available @ 3.50 and, while I think that may be possible, I think Spurs will win through, even if they have to be patient, just as at Crystal Palace a week ago. My ** prediction is a home win with Asian Handicap -0.50 @ 2.11.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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