Tottenham’s title bid was derailed when they were held to an unexpected 0-0 draw against bottom of the table Sunderland midweek, but they can get back on track in a comfortable home game against another side from the North East. Middlesbrough are fighting for their lives as they strive to avoid being relegated straight back to the Championship, so they are a dangerous opponent, but in front of their home fans Tottenham should be far too strong in defence and attack and should go on to win this one comfortably.
Tottenham’s ascent to second in the table has been based on a phenomenal defensive record. Along with Chelsea, they have the stingiest backline in the Premiership, having conceded just 16 goals in 23 games. They have a terrific goalkeeper in Hugo Lloris, exemplary centre-halves in Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld and dynamic, flying full-backs in Kyle Walker and Danny Rose, with Eric Dier, Kevin Wimmer, Kieran Trippier and Ben Davis providing strong cover.
Going forwards they have not excelled as much as their top four rivals. Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have all scored more goals than them, but Tottenham are no slouches in attack and are almost at the two goals per game mark. Dele Alli has been in fine form and in Harry Kane they have one of the best strikers in England, who looks a good bet to win the Golden Boot again (7/2 with BetVictor, Bet 365 and several green listed bookmakers) despite missing a chunk of the season through injury. They look a more complete, solid unit than Liverpool, Arsenal and Man City and have a great chance of finishing second (Chelsea look a bit too far ahead up top).
To do so, they have to win games like this. Middlesbrough have accrued just 21 points from 23 games, leaving them precariously hovering just two points above the relegation zone. They have already lost 10 times this season, but they have secured some good results against top sides on the road. They drew 0-0 with Arsenal at The Emirates and 1-1 with Man City at The Etihad (there’s a sentence that illustrates the influence the United Arab Emirates really has on the Premiership!) so Tottenham will really have to be at the top of their game to ensure they take a vital three points. Arsenal are playing Chelsea, so at least one will drop points and Spurs will want to capitalise.
They should be able to do it. Tottenham have been much better at home than on the road this season: they have the sixth-best away record and the second-best home record. At White Hart Lane they have won nine, drawn two and lost none, taking 29 points from a possible 33. On the road Boro have secured six draws from 11 games, so they will give Tottenham a real battle, and it could be decided by a slender margin.
Tottenham are huge favourites to win this and the best price of 1.33 with Stan James is not too appealing when you consider that Boro are a decent, organised team.
To get more value, you could try Tottenham and the under 3.5 goals at 11/10 with Bet Stars. A 1-0 win, a 2-0 win, a 3-0 win or a 2-1 win for Tottenham are the four most likely results in the line for correct score, and Tottenham and under 3.5 goals covers all four of them, so it looks a really good bet. Tottenham’s games this season have seen an average of 2.65 goals, while Boro’s have seen just 1.95, so under 3.5 goals looks good, and Tottenham have the quality to win this one. Kane always looks dangerous but is only 8/13 in the anytime goal scorer stakes, so better value can be had backing Alli at 7/5 with Paddy Power. The young England midfielder has been in fine goal scoring form of late, netting nine times in his last nine games, so that looks a very good bet.
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