Sunday 1st April 2018
Chelsea v Tottenham 16:00
So that’s another International break done! We get back to Premier League action this weekend as the 20 top-flight teams enter a crucial part of the season.
We’ve only 7 or 8 matches left (depending on which team you are) there are not many points left for teams to secure and although Man City are running away with the title there is still bundles at stake for teams at both ends of the table.
Some crucial relegation games this weekend too but with the battle for one of the lucrative top-four places also in full swing then this Sunday’s encounter between Chelsea and Tottenham is a monster game for both sides.
Chelsea are currently in fifth place but are 5 points behind Spurs, who are in fourth, so anything but a victory here for the Blues and you’d feel their top four dreams would look very slim. In contrast, Spurs have their destiny in their own hands and will know that wins in all their final league games that will be enough to land a top 4 place.
Having said that, with Chelsea looking their biggest dangers, and with a 5 point lead over their London neighbours, then even a point (draw) will be a great result for Spurs here.
What are the stats saying? The teams have already played this season – with that finishing Spurs 1-2 Chelsea, while last season’s repeat fixture also ended 2-1 to Chelsea. Therefore, it’s hard to ignore that score line at 10.00 in the correct score market.
The Chelsea winning habit has actually been very frequent when these teams meet – did you know Chelsea have NEVER lost to Spurs at home in the Premier League (25 games).
So, it’s clear Stamford Bridge has not been a happy place for Spurs to visit since the Premier League started in the early 90’s, while Tottenham have only won 1 of their last 7 in all competitions against the Blues.
In fact, Spurs last gained 3 points over Chelsea away in the league in 1990 – that came 28 games ago! While Chelsea have lost only 2 of their last 18 matches against Spurs in all comps.
Looking at the match betting, this is backed up here too with Chelsea on offer at 2.15, the draw 3.30 and Spurs 3.40.
However, it is worth noting that despite Chelsea’s dominance over Spurs in recent years there have been 9 draws in the last 25 repeat fixtures.
Will there be goals scored? If the head-to-heads are anything to go by, then here should be. 7 of the last 10 clashes between these sides produced 3+ goals so it’s surprising to see Over 2.5 goals as the second favourite in this market at 2.10, with Under 1.70.
Okay, there is a case to say that with a lot at stake this could be a very tight game and also one that Spurs would happily take a point from – however, really Chelsea need to win so that should suggest an open game.
Chelsea’s Eden Hazrd is their leading league scorer with 11 goals this season, while Harry Kane tops the list for Spurs with 24 league goals. However, the England striker is on the side lines injured at the moment so that will be a huge lift for the home side. Having sad that, Spurs still look to have plenty of scoring options with the likes of Son, Alli and Eriksen with 25 league goals between them this term, which will still give backers over goals in this game plenty of confidence.
Both teams have scored in 4 of the last 5 head-to-heads so at 1.80 this is another option that is sure to be popular, while with Chelsea winning 10 of their last 25 games against Spurs ‘to nil’ then a clean sheet for the Blues at 2.62 might also appeal.
An intriguing game – with loads at stake – but it’s hard to ignore the dominance of Chelsea over Spurs in recent years. Don’t forget they’ve NEVER lost at home to Spurs since the Premier League started in 1992.
Yes, both teams to score at 1.80 makes a certainly amount of appeal and with that Chelsea record over Spurs then the short odds players might be tempted to lump on Chelsea/Draw at 1.33 in the ‘Double Chance’ market. However, let’s just keep this simple and stick with Chelsea to win the game at 2.15 (odds are subject to change) – yes, Spurs still have the players to win this but with no Harry Kane that’s a big loss and a huge bonus for Chelsea, that will also put a lot of pressure on the rest of the Spurs side to find goals.
Best Bet: Chelsea to win @2.15
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Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur 16:00
– Already played this season, Spurs 1-2 Chelsea
– Last season’s repeat fixture ended, Chelsea 2-1 Spurs
– Spurs have won just 1 of their last 7 vs Chelsea (all comps)
– Chelsea have NEVER lost at home to Spurs in the Premier League (25 games)
– 9 of the last 25 repeat fixtures ended in DRAWS
– Chelsea have won 10 of the last 25 repeat fixtures ‘to nil’
– Spurs last beat Chelsea away in the league in 1990 (28 games)
– 7 of the last 10 head-to-heads (all comps) went OVER 2.5 GOALS
– Both teams scored in 4 of the last 5 heads-to-heads (all comps)
– Chelsea have lost just 2 of their last 18 vs Spurs (all comps)
– Spurs’ Kane is their top league scorer this season with 24 goals
– Chelsea’s Hazard is their top league scorer this season with 11 goals