English Premier
2013-05-04 - Tottenham Hotspur vs Southampton
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 4 May 2013 - Kick Off 3pm
Tottenham Hotspur
Hugo Lloris is trying to rally his team mates ahead of this game by labelling it a 'must win' if Tottenham Hotspur are going to achieve their goals and reach the Champions League for next season. They would have been disappointed to have only earned a draw from Wigan Athletic last weekend, but the manner of pulling a result with minutes remaining will give Spurs some confidence in the final four games to be played this season.
At the start of the weekend, Tottenham Hotspur are 5th in the Premier League but they are only 2 points behind Arsenal in the final Champions League place albeit with a game in hand. That game in hand will only be crucial if Spurs keep winning games and they will look to improve their record at White Hart Lane where they are 9-5-3 so far this season, scoring 27 goals and conceding 18.
Tottenham are unbeaten in their last 6 games in all competitions since a 0-1 home loss to Fulham, but they have drawn 4 of their last 5 games with the one exception being a 3-1 win over Manchester City at home. That was the first win in 4 games for Spurs at White Hart Lane, and they have now won 4 of their last 7 at home in the Premier League.
Mousa Dembele is a doubt for this game, but both Jake Livermore and Emmanuel Adebayor are both back from injury.
Southampton
The key to this whole season for Southampton was when they sacked Nigel Adkins and replaced him with Mauricio Pochettino back in January, but it does seem that the gamble has paid off for them. At the start of the weekend, Southampton look like they are in a position where they will be safe in the Premier League, but they probably need at least another point or two to confirm their position if Wigan Athletic start winning.
Southampton have picked up 39 points so far this season and that leaves them in 13th place in the Premier League, 7 clear of Wigan Athletic in the final relegation place who also have a game in hand. They have a 3-6-8 record away from home so far this season, scoring 22 goals and conceding 34 in those games.
It was a disappointing 0-3 home loss against West Brom that has kept Southampton focusing on the relegation battle ahead of this weekend, although that was their first defeat in 6 games in the Premier League. The Saints are unbeaten in their last 3 away games in the League since a 4-2 loss at Newcastle United and they have only lost 2 of their last 10 away games in the Premier League.
Gaston Ramirez and Danny Fox are both suspended having been sent off last week and neither will play again this season. Luke Shaw is back in the squad having recovered from injury.
Head to Head
Tottenham Hotspur beat Southampton 1-2 at St Mary's earlier this season.
This will be the first time they have played one another at White Hart Lane in eight seasons when Spurs recorded a 5-1 win over Southampton.
Spurs have won 3 of their last 4 home games against Southampton.
Prediction
There should be plenty of chances created by both teams in this one and I do think we will see a few goals in this one, although I fancy Tottenham Hotspur to come out on top and keep tabs on the top four.
The likes of Gareth Bale, Aaron Lennon and Jermain Defoe provide a goal threat for Spurs and I like them to win this by a couple of goals at least.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Southampton
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
I'll back Tottenham Hotspur -1.5 Asian Handicap @ 2.40
