SPURS' season has taken a turn for the worse and the last thing they need right now is a visit from in-form Manchester City.
It's been five Premier League matches since Tottenham beat the champions – a Peter Crouch header separating the two in early May 2010 at the Etihad as the Londoners secured a win that took them to Champions League qualification for the first time.
That is Spurs' last remaining goal of this campaign after dropping out of the Europa League in disappointing fashion at Basel but results and injuries have conspired against them in recent weeks and they are out to 2.5 from a low of 1.2 in Betfair's Top Four finish market. Any more slip-ups could prove costly for their hopes of spending another season among the big boys of European football.
Ten points clear of Tottenham and second in the league, City are just about certain to play in the competition next year of course and arrive at White Hart Lane on the back of three straight wins.
Those have ranged from a demolition of Newcastle to a stirring defeat of city rivals United to Wednesday night's slim 1-0 win over FA Cup finalists Wigan. But whatever the quality of the performance they have got the job done over the last few matches and the feeling is Roberto Mancini has got his team peaking at the end of the season. If only they'd started a few games earlier…
Recent fixtures between these two have all gone City's way but a 5-1 hammering at White Hart Lane at the start of the 2011-12 campaign apart they have been close-fought affairs.
Edin Dzeko's 88th-minute winner separated the two in their first meeting this year while Mario Balotelli left it even later when breaking Spurs' hearts with a penalty as City edged a classic 3-2 at the Etihad to crush Tottenham's title dreams last season.
I think City will do the same here and win by the odd goal. Their defence has been in fine fettle lately and I don't see Spurs outscoring the visitors with question marks over the home side's attacking trio of Gareth Bale, Aaron Lennon and Jermain Defoe.
With stats and form in their favour, backing City to win at 2.34 makes sense while those feeling a bit more daring could play an away win to nil at around 7.0 on the exchange.
I'll keep it simple though and take the shorter price on City inflicting another defeat on a weakened Spurs once again.
Recommended Bet
Back Manchester City @ 2.34
ALL eyes on Rafa Benitez then. The Chelsea manager must have the skin of a rhinoceros given the abuse he's taken at Stamford Bridge since taking over from Roberto di Matteo. But still he remains at the helm, seemingly steering the Blues to Champions League qualification.
The Liverpool support retain plenty of affection for the Spaniard who led them to Champions League success in his tenure at the club and is still their most successful manager of the Premier League era. You can be pretty sure The Kop will be singing his name louder than those in the Anfield Road end. Funny old game isn't it?!
Benitez factor apart, this is a tricky game to predict. With Everton six points clear in the league, Liverpool have little to play for this season other than pride. Their home record is middling and the goals have started to dry up for 1.85 Golden Boot favourite Luis Suarez.
Putting aside the FA Cup semi-final visitors Chelsea are in the middle of a fixture pile-up but generally seem to be carving out the results they need.
Another European trophy is a distinct possibility after reaching the Europa League semi-finals while Champions League qualification is in their hands after beating Fulham in midweek.
The Europa League game takes place on Thursday and Benitez will have one eye on that. In the Spaniard the Blues have another Tinkerman in charge and second guessing his team selections is always tricky. He looks certain to make some changes at Anfield.
It's a muddy picture and picking a winner is tough. The Betfair market is pretty sure though making Liverpool favourites at 2.18 with Chelsea as big as 3.75 and the draw 3.6.
That might look like a short price on a home win but the Opta stats point to a Liverpool victory – Chelsea have won only one of their last six Premier League trips to Anfield, losing four and drawing one, without scoring in three of those games.
Tottenham were beaten at Anfield recently and I fancy Brendan Rodgers will have his team pumped up to give the home faithful a morale-boosting defeat of a high-profile rival.
I certainly think it will be competitive and I'd be eager to put an in-play insurance lay of Liverpool, should hold the lead late on.
It's tough to play high-pressure games as regularly as Chelsea and they're likely to drop points as we head to the climax of the Premier League season and that could well start at Anfield.
Recommended Bet
Back Liverpool @ 2.22
Milesey (Betfair)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
Just on my way out and turned the Valencia game on for five minutes, just seen 4 goals! Haha
Being a Spurs fan it pains me to be backing City tomorrow, i’d say we will probably score but that’s about it, i hope Lloris has a good game otherwise it’s going to be another 5-1 scoreline
I’ll be on Chelsea all day long! Chelsea, Man City double
Liverpool – Chelsea over 2.5
“”Awful tips. Lucky I went the other way and got up a nice double!””
Oh how hard did i cheer on that LIVERPOOL goal hahaha, well Eddie that one has come back and bitten you right on the arse, hahahaha Laugh of the DAY !
Milesey
oooooooooo i bet grants fuming now,not only lost his bet but made himself look a right plank too,hahaha
I dont wanna dance…dance with ya Milesey no more!!! :-)
You placed that bet with betfair ?
I’ll check in the morning what went through in the 85th Minute, and i’ll see if Suarez to score next was even in a market in play at that time, what i actually doubt.
If you have a betfair confirmation number then send it to Mr F and i’ll check it out tomorrow and if you did place the bet then i will apologise to you for you being a ” TOP JOKEY ”
Milesey
I have an account with Hills as well…they usually suspends all bets with 5 mins to go
Oh so when Man city were 1 nil up at the 75th minute , then why didn’t you go and back spurs then ?
But nevermind hey, and my sunday single did come in and 3 out of 2 in a trixie and my nap again, so you can do better but i don’t see tips, just shit !
Milesey
Isn’t it so sad when people have to make up fake names ?
Same as Bin Laden yesterday, just shows how pathetic some people can be……… i’m off for another beer, kids will always play :)
Milesey
Milesey, Bin Laden had same IP address as Grant. I’ll advise admin.
Seems like it’s funny season again, like when we had the japanese on who wanted women wrestling tips. ;) oh sorry that was GUIDO ;)
Milesey
The tip on Atletico is :
Back Atletico Madrid 0 & +0.5
Doubt you understand that ;)
Milesey
“Ossie, what a great goal there?”….”yessssssssss uh, babababababababababababababababababbaba….!”
Yeah i’m a joker cause i said your tips were shit, good job i went against for i’ve hit a nice double, then liverpool score and it’s a draw, but hold on i had suarez to score when the market wasn’t even open at that time…… okay ;) ;) NICE ONE ;)
Milesey
BETFAIR AREN’T A BOOKIE, and if you say they are once more then BETFAIR will see you in court !
Milesey
( betfair )
Just a question GRANT / THE BLACK SNAKE , why are your ip addresses the same ?
Milesey
Milesesy, he’s a bad man, an idiot and I’ll delete anything he’s said.
Grant, why are you talking to yourself. You and Black Snake are the same person. Go away and get a life.
Paul are Grant, Black Snake, KT ALL Badham???
Whacha think of Ossie as a commentator?..doya think hes an alien that was dropped in Argentina?
Guido, looks like it.
Paul- Black Snake, Grant, Bin Laden Badham were calling jewish people bad names as well I think? The fella must be in a bad place/no happy with his lot?
Milesey, in the words of Harold Steptoe…”I’m strictly a crumpet man” ;-) no inta jap wrestlers tho