Chelsea v Spurs (Premier League, 5.30pm)

Been a couple of days since a preview. Forgive me but a certain race meeting has had us all rather pre-occupied.

I somehow managed to get a profit on the bookings at the Aviva with Republic of Ireland v Serbia. As you know I bought at 23 and spent most of the match thinking it WAS going to be a friendly after all with a ZERO make up – but two late cards were a blessing a final make-up of 30 gave me a 70 point profit on the night.

FA Cup weekend, but forgive me (again) as I am going to concentrate on the Premier League and the tea-time kick off tonight at Stamford Bridge between Chelsea and Spurs (5.30pm SKY).

The London derby is always a match to look forward to, but doubly so this year as Chelsea have the chance to pull seven points clear at the top before Liverpool play and if Spurs were to defy the odds and win themselves they would open up their own gap ahead of Everton and keep in the race for the top four.

If you were pricing this up based on the last five head-to-heads in the Premier League – you would have the DRAW odds-on. It’s finished stalemate four times from the last five.

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
(Max last 10 only)
Sep 2013 Premier Tottenham 1-1 Chelsea
May 2013 Premier Chelsea 2-2 Tottenham
Oct 2012 Premier Tottenham 2-4 Chelsea
Apr 2012 FA Cup Tottenham 1-5 Chelsea
Mar 2012 Premier Chelsea 0-0 Tottenham
Dec 2011 Premier Tottenham 1-1 Chelsea
Apr 2011 Premier Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham
Dec 2010 Premier Tottenham 1-1 Chelsea
Apr 2010 Premier Tottenham 2-1 Chelsea
Sep 2009 Premier Chelsea 3-0 Tottenham

Forgive me (yes, yet again) but I can see this match also heading for a draw.

It’s a match that both teams would dearly love to win but also one that it’s more important not to lose and that could be the deciding factor.

Chelsea are great at grinding out results and will be boosted by the news that Eden Hazard is fit despite suffering a minor ankle injury whilst playing for Belgium midweek.

But you have to set that against the fact that Spurs have the best away record in the league and could make life tough for Chelsea, although a win is surely taking things too far. Spurs’ last win at Stamford Bridge was on 10 February 1990, when Gary Lineker and David Howells got the goals in a 2-1 victory.

It’s the start of a busy period for Spurs with Tim Sherwood’s job very much on the line. In March they face Arsenal, Southampton and Liverpool in the Premier League and also have the small matter of a two-legged Europa League tie against Benfica in the Europa League.

Forgive me (for the final time) but I don’t think Sherwood has done that badly. Fifth in the Premier League, deep into the Europa League and his side are playing good football to boot.

Can see it being close so am selling Chelsea – and have got a 0.95 goal start with Star Spreads.

RECOMMENDED BET (scale 1-10 points)

SELL CHELSEA / SPURS for 10 points at around 0.95 with Star Spreads

RUNNING RETURN (MARCH): PROFIT 55.00 POINTS

RUNNING RETURN (YEAR): PROFIT 155.30 POINTS

• Any spread prices quoted are indicative and as always prices are subject to fluctuation.
• Please note the opinion, views and forecasts above are of the author and not of Star Spreads.