English Premier
2012-03-24 - Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 24 March 2012 - Kick Off 12:45pm
This game is live on TV
Chelsea
This is a huge moment coming in the Chelsea season as they look to close the gap on the top four in the Premier League as well as facing a Champions League Quarter Final with Benfica and an FA Cup Semi Final on the horizon. It is unlikely that Roberto Di Matteo will be given the manager job on a permanent basis, but the team have at least been playing with a little more belief since Andre Villa-Boas was removed from the post.
It looked like it was going to be a very special result for Chelsea as they took a 0-1 lead at Manchester City on Wednesday night, but the defeat means they are now 5 points behind 4th place, although a win would see them reduce that to 2 points. The Blues are 9-2-3 at Stamford Bridge this season, scoring 31 goals and conceding 19, and it is at this ground that they are likely to make up the points on the teams above them.
The defeat at City was the first suffered under Di Matteo after a run of 4 straight wins to open up his reign as interim manager. Chelsea have won 4 games in a row at Stamford Bridge in all competitions, while they are unbeaten in their last 8 since a 1-3 loss to Aston Villa on New Years Eve. The team have scored at least 3 goals in 4 of their last 6 home games in all competitions.
John Terry is expected to return to the starting line up after missing the last couple of games with issues relating to his knee surgery. Branislav Ivanovic is a doubt after being forced off against Manchester City, while Didier Drogba, Michael Essien and Daniel Sturridge will all be expected to return to the first team after being rested on Wednesday.
Tottenham Hotspur
A late Rafael Van der Vaart saved Tottenham Hotspur from another defeat in the Premier League, but to say they have hit the buffers would be a huge understatement. Harry Redknapp must be feeling the pressure as his side have fallen behind Arsenal in the table and could see their Champions League ambitions really put under the microscope if they fail to avoid defeat on Saturday.
Spurs were leading Arsenal by 10 points just a few short weeks ago and were being spoken about as genuine title contenders, but a poor run of form has seen them drop to 4th in the Premier League table and holding just a 5 point lead over Chelsea in the Champions League chase. The team have a 6-3-5 record away from home, scoring 22 goals and conceding 21.
It took a 90th minute header from Van der Vaart to ensure that Spurs did not lose a 4th Premier League game in a row, but a run of 5 points gained from a possible 18 available has seen Arsenal overtake them in the table and Chelsea get closer and closer. Tottenham have not won any of their last 5 away games in the Premier League and they have lost 3 of their last 4. The team have failed to score in 3 of their last 4 away games in all competitions.
Aaron Lennon and Emmanuel Adebayor are doubtful for this game, but Ledley King should play even though he was in the line up just 3 days ago against Stoke City.
Head to Head
Chelsea have been very impressive in their home games in the Premier League against Tottenham, winning 5 of the last 6 games here.
There have now been 21 League games played between the two teams at Stamford Bridge since Tottenham last recorded a win.
Prediction
This is a really important game for both teams who have a serious ambition of playing in the Champions League next season and it is one where I think both managers will be urging their teams to attack.
Chelsea have been much more free-scoring at Stamford Bridge than they have on their travels and that, coupled with Tottenham's form, will make them the favourites coming into this game. The old guard have really been proving themselves following the sacking of Andre Villa-Boas and I expect Roberto Di Matteo will play a full strength team, unconcerned with the game at Benfica on Tuesday night in the Champions League Quarter Final.
Tottenham have still been playing decent football in their bad run of form, and I do feel they will turn a corner when it comes to their form sooner rather than later. They don't have the same swagger as they did earlier in the season, while there have been some bad tactical decisions on the part of Harry Redknapp that has hindered the team.
While I do think Chelsea are the more likely winners, I have not been completely sold on their results. They were not brilliant against Manchester City, while their wins against Birmingham City and Leicester City has to be put in perspective as they are Championship sides.
I feel much more comfortable taking the Overs in the game as Chelsea have been scoring goals at home at a much more regular pace than on their travels, while Spurs have begun conceding at an alarming rate. The Chelsea defence is still one that will give the opposition chances to score goals and that looks the best way to play the early afternoon game.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur
