Tottenham v Chelsea
Carabao Cup semi-final first leg. Tuesday January 8. Kick-off 8pm. Live on Sky Sports.
SPURS have already outplayed Chelsea at Wembley this season and will be eyeing an action replay to put one foot in the League Cup Final.
That 3-1 victory made it back-to-back wins over the Blues and the last time they made it three in a row was 1963. Mauricio Pochettino's side are still technically in the title fight but cup glory offers the Argentine's best chance of finally lifting silverware five years into his Tottenham reign.
Pochettino's men warmed up for tonight's clash by firing seven past Tranmere in the FA Cup on Friday night and now look to wipe away the memory of their last Wembley outing, a 3-1 league loss to Wolves.
Both semi-finalists will field strong sides tonight and, despite their Wolves slip-up Spurs have looked more convincing than the Blues this season.
Maurizio Sarri was left shellshocked by Chelsea's capitulation against Tottenham and admitted the game was lost in the first 16 minutes when they went 2-0 down. He has warned his players to be much more aggressive from the start this time.
The FA Cup proved a welcome distraction for Sarri's side at the weekend as they cantered to victory over Nottingham Forest three days after an insipid goalless draw at home to Southampton in the league.
After a hugely promising start to his reign Sarri is finding things tougher in a winter spell packed with games and his team are crying out for a dominant, quality striker with Alvaro Morata not looking up to the job.
Spurs have no problems on that front, with Harry Kane leading the line and having netted 19 club goals already this season. His strong supporting cast are also chipping in with goals and Dele Alli loves a strike against Chelsea.
The 22-year-old has scored six against them in six meetings – more than he has netted against any other opponent – and is also on a League Cup scoring streak with four in his last five appearances. Back Alli at 29-10 with 888sport to net any time.
This fixture usually guarantees goals – six of the last seven have had over 2.5 with both teams on target – and tonight should be no different. Both sides will set up to attack and the 4-5 for over 2.5 goals at 888sport is not to be sniffed at.
Spurs are favourites at 59-50, with Chelsea 11-5 outsiders and a rare draw – none of the last six meetings have ended in stalemate – is 49-20.
The hosts should give themselves a lead to take to Stamford Bridge for the second leg a week on Monday but I prefer the home goals over WDW, so Spurs to score 2+ is the call at 21-20.
Recommended Bets
- Over 2.5 goals (4-5, 888sport)
- Dele Alli to score any time (29-10, 888sport)
- Spurs to score 2+ (21-20, 888sport)
