Spurs vs Chelsea betting

Tottenham Hotspur: League Position: 3rd, League Form: WWWLW

With Tottenham flying and in contention for the title at Christmas, this festive period will surely be Tottenham’s finest for years. After all, this is Tottenham’s second-best start to a season in their 129-year history, surpassed only by their double-winning team of 1960-61. A win here will confirm their status in the title picture, and quite possibly knocking another out of the picture. Victory sends them five points clear of Chelsea and a game in hand.

Spurs vs Chelsea odds

Sadly for Harry Redknapp’s side they will be without their most potent weapon, the pace of the wings. With Aaron Lennon missing out and Gareth Bale an extreme doubt, two men most Spurs fans and neutrals would love to see attacking the fragile Chelsea backline will have to watch. Tottenham reacted brilliantly to this problem against Sunderland, bringing defensive midfielder Sandro and striker Pavlyuchenko into the side, changing their shape a touch and anchoring their midfield in a more defensive shape.

Loan man Adebayor is their top scorer in the league with eight, and will likely have Pavlyuchenko up there with him. If he can continue to use his power and agility to stretch the Chelsea defence, Van Der Vaart and the Russian should find gaps.

Chelsea: League Position: 4th,League Form: LWWWD

When you beat Manchester City, the unbeaten table toppers, you would expect to take maximum points from struggling Wigan in the next game. Alas, it was not to be as they stuttered and wobbled towards the finish line, 1-0 up from a lovely goal from the in-form Daniel Sturridge, until a calamitous Cech handed, quite literally, Wigan midfielder Jordi Gomez a late equaliser.

As they have many times this season, it was in defence that they were a letdown. Wigan had many chances to get back into the game before then in a game Chelsea usually win. However, the big games have seen them take a different approach recently. Valencia found a deeper defensive line, and Manchester City found a hard working, more reproachful Chelsea team, and many of the cracks were paved over in a performance of old.

The selection question to be answered is that of Chelsea fan favourite Frank Lampard. The vice captain, England international and Chelsea ‘legend’ has been on and off the subs bench this year, yet is second in their goalscoring charts with eight goals.

Match Prediction: DRAW – 3.5 Ladbrokes

Going into this game with Lennon and Bale, Tottenham would have had more pace than any other team in the League, and with the way Chelsea have defended you would be fancying Spurs to have a go and score a few, taking the points with them as they did. But Harry’s wingless wonders will have to be just that to take the points. They will always be on the attack, but without that fear of the counter attack Chelsea will be more comfortable in possession in the opposition half, and this gives more chances for both teams to score.

Chelsea’s main threat comes now from young England striker Daniel Sturridge. With neither Drogba, Torres or the unwanted Anelka regular performers for Andre Villas-Boas’ side Sturridge is the only consistent goalscorer they have got. His pace and movement make chances for himself and others, as could be seen in Raul Meireles goal against Manchester City, made by the speed and cross the ex-City man.

Tottenham have the midfield to match Chelsea, possibly outplay them with the man the Blues spent all summer chasing, Luka Modric, pulling the strings in the middle of the park. A classic playmaker, Modric seems happy at Spurs again, especially in tandem with the irrepressible Scott Parker. Add Sandro in for more security and you can’t see Chelsea gaining a foothold there. Roman Pavlyuchenko, who has featured little this season, came into the team against Sunderland and scored the only goal of the game. His price, 9.5 with Stan James, could represent great value for a striker playing for the favourites.

Highlighted Bets:-

Over/Under: Over 2.5 Goals – 1.8 Bet 365

First Goalscorer: Roman Pavlyuchenko – 9.5 Stan James

Correct Score: 2-2 Draw – 15.00 Ladbrokes

*Click here for all the latest odds on upcoming football matches