English Other
2008-02-24 - Chelsea F.C vs Tottenham Hotspur
A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser
Analysis:Chelsea will aim to defend their title after last 12 months beating Arsenal at The Millenium Stadium in a match which had a bad ending as three players namely Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Adebayor and John Obi Mikel were all sent off.
For Tottenham this will be their first final since beating Leicester City in 1999. Juande Ramos who took charge of the team in the second round when they took on Blackpool has a superb record in cup competitions as he proved it when he led Sevilla to the UEFA Cup twice in two consecutive years in a row.
And Ramos has the pleasure of beating Arsenal 5-1 in the semi-finals if the Carling Cup and will be keen to take out another favourite in the final. Despite the poor midweek showing against Slavia Prague, it could be a sign that they were saving their best for the final as they needed to prepare the following day on Friday to face Chelsea today.
The likes of Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane played each one half against Slavia Prague but chances are they will start as a pair in today’s final. The trio of Aaron Lennon, Jermaine Jenas and Steed Malbranque will start in midfield, but there will be a toss up between Didier Zokora or Tom Huddlestone to battle it out for a place in the centre of midfield.
Ramos also has to decide if he should stick with Paul Robinson in goal after he played well against Prague or recall Radek Cerny for the final. Jonathan Woodgate is likely to have Ledley King as his partner as he has been saved for the final in mind regardless if he is 100% fit.
As for Chelsea, they are in line for the Premier League, the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League as well as the League Cup which could be their first silverware this season.
Avram Grant did not suffer any new injuries against Olympiakos in midweek but chances are he will not start with the combination of Didier Drobga and Nicolas Anelka upfront despite calls for them to be paired together. The battle in the starting eleven will instensify as Joe Cole, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Florent Malouda and Salomon Kalou will battle it out for two spots while Frank Lampard, Michael Essien, Michael Ballack and Claude Makelele are competing for places in the centre of midfield.
John Terry could earn a recall here but the likes of Ricardo Carvalho and Alex have impressed and chances are will have to settle for a place on the bench at least.
With Juande Ramos being a good tactician in Cup games and he has proved his worth when he was the coach of Sevilla, I will go for Tottenham not to lose this match in the final 90 minutes and accept the 1/4 ball here.
Cheers and good luck,
Cruiser
The Pick :
Draw Match 1-1 or 2-2
