English Premier
2012-05-13 - Tottenham Hotspur vs Fulham
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Sunday 13 May 2012 - Kick Off 3pm
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur looked like they were going to finish 3rd at a canter a couple of months ago, but a bad run of form has left them in this precarious spot with Champions League football yet to be assured. They still have a chance to finish above Arsenal, a position that could be key if Chelsea win the Champions League next weekend.
The team have a 1 point lead over Newcastle United in the race for the top 4 and need to match their result to finish in these positions. They will also be aware that a win, coupled with an Arsenal failure to do so will give them a chance to overtake their North London rivals into 3rd place. Spurs are 12-3-3 at White Hart Lane this season, scoring 37 goals and conceding 17.
Spurs have picked up 7 points from their last 9 available in the League, a far cry from the form that had seen them earn 6 points from a possible 27 available before that. They have won 2 of their last 3 Premier League games at White Hart Lane, although their recent form has been a little hit and miss with 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses in 5 home League games.
Benoit Assou-Ekotto is out and his replacement, Danny Rose, is suspended following his red card at Villa Park last weekend. Scott Parker is another doubt for the home side.
Fulham
Fulham have reached the first of their goals this season by ensuring they finish in the top half of the Premier League table, but there will be no let up against their Capital rivals as they have a chance to finish in their highest top flight position. Martin Jol will also want to get a good result against the team that sacked him in the middle of a Europa League game a few seasons ago.
The team have already guaranteed themselves 9th place in the Premier League, but they are only 1 point behind Everton in 7th and level on points with Liverpool in 8th knowing those two sides entertain Newcastle United and visit Swansea respectively. Fulham will need to improve on an away record that reads 4-5-9 this season, scoring 12 goals and conceding 23. Only Stoke City will end the season by scoring fewer away goals.
They have now lost just 1 of their last 7 Premier League games, that coming in a trip to Everton when beaten 4-0. Fulham have actually won 5 of their last 7 games so there is no doubt the side will be confident as they travel across to Tottenham. Fulham have won 2 of their last 3 away from home, including at Liverpool last time out, but they had been beaten in 5 of their previous 6 in all competitions.
Steve Sidwell and Simon Davies are hoping to return to the squad for this game, but Bryan Ruiz and Andrew Johnson are going to miss out.
Head to Head
Tottenham Hotspur won 1-3 at Craven Cottage earlier in the season, but both sides were on opposite scales of the form spectrum at that point and Spurs were also a touch fortunate.
Spurs have now won 4 of their last 5 home games against Fulham in all competitions, including a 1-0 win last season.
Prediction
I think Tottenham Hotspur are going to be good enough to win this game, but I will take a slightly more risky proposition and pick them to win by a couple of goals at least.
Fulham have been solid away from home in recent weeks, outside of the 4-0 loss at Everton, but a lack of goals makes it hard for them to find consistency in these games and pick up more wins. However, Spurs have the attacking power in their line up to cause the away side problems and earn a win with a bit of room to spare.
It is also telling that Spurs either win games with a bit to spare here at White Hart Lane or fail to win altogether. 9 of their 12 League wins at home have come by a margin of at least 2 goals and, considering I think they will win this game, it definitely looks worth chancing at the prices we are being offered.
Again though, end of season and the need to just win may see Spurs settle for a one goal win so I am keeping stakes to an absolute minimum.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Fulham
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back Tottenham Hotspur -1.75 Asian Handicap @ 2.50
