Ahead of Wednesdays London derby with Tottenham, Green Listed Bookmakers BetVictor has introduced a market asking punters when Premier League leaders and title favourites will next drop a point. Antonio Conte’s side have already broken the club’s record of most EPL wins on the spin – and they will equal Arsenal’s 14-game Premier League winning streak of 2002 if they win at White Hart Lane.
After Wednesday\’s fixture Chelsea will have to face Leicester City on the 14th who are 11-2. Followed by Liverpool 6-1 on the 31st and Arsenal 25-1 on February 2nd.
It is tempting to build a case for Liverpool. Spurs 4-9 have won only one of their last 15 against the Blues while Leicester’s malaise – despite that surprise win over Manchester City – makes them unappealing.
Still, there is a reason to reckon Spurs can end Chelsea hopes of eclipsing the Gunners. It’s their home record. They lost only twice at the Lane in 2016 and, unsurprisingly, have not lost there this term.
Their form is good, too. They have got over their wobble and now boast a record of six wins in their last seven with 13 goals in their last four.
A stalemate at 3.3 (Paddy Power and Coral) could well be the way to go then. Chelsea are 2.9 (Boylesports) and Spurs 2.8 (Marathon) although 2.75 is available with Bet365.
So how do Spurs stop Chelsea? Do they play five in the midfield to counter their fluid 4-3-3? Do they play a high press to stifle Chelsea? Or do they go gung-ho, play a natural attacking game and hope for the best?
Mauricio Pochettino, the Spurs boss, has suggested that his team will have a go because they have to test their credentials for a top four place.
Goals then? Well, Chelsea are more circumspect on the road. Their 14 goals is the lowest in the top five. And Spurs have let only five in all season at the Lane. It’s the toughest place in the Premier League to get a goal.
Under 2.5 goals appeals then at 1.91 with Betfred and Wiliam Hill. A 1-1 scoreline is obviously a strong port of call also at 7 with BetVictor and that’s a value call for us. Tottenham are 10 to win 1-0 (Bet365). Chelsea are the same (Bet365, BetVictor) for the same scoreline.
A market of real interest could be the number of yellow or red cards. This is because there could be some feeling left over from the Battle of the Bridge in May when Spurs had nine players booked and their title hopes disappeared.
Over 5.5 cards comes in at 2 with Bet365 and 2.14 with 888Sport. Under is 1.73 and 1.64 respectively. The referee in charge is Martin Atkinson. He averages 3.92 cards per game this term. Atkinson has brandished only one red, however, and a second here is 3.6 with Stan James.
Do bear in mind, though, that they met in November, and Chelsea earned a 2-1 win with one booking on either side.
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