Following another one of those international breaks, Premier League football is back and the schedule makers have given us a good one as Tottenham hosts Chelsea in a London Derby with the Blues looking to keep their undefeated season going.
Tottenham has won six of its last seven in league play and is fourth in the table despite playing a league-low four matches at “home.” With a game as tight as this on paper, you’d expect odds to reflect the minimal gulf in class. Online shop Sportsbook is currently offering Chelsea as moneyline faves at +160 with Spurs at +180 and the draw +245. Great betting value across all options. In spread markets, we’ve got a pick with Chelsea -125 and Spurs +105. The total is 2.5 with OVER -130.
The Blues have been fantastic under Maurizio Sarri with points in every Premier League game thus far. Tottenham has also had a nice start to the season despite not really playing the football we’ve come to expect from them down the years. With the exception of the Man United game, Tottenham hasn’t really put anyone to the sword in Spurs fashion but still sits just five points back of leaders Manchester City.
This has the potential to be the game of the weekend and there is great value for footy bettors all over the place here.
Let’s dig into this game and find some bets, shall we?
- Chelsea is one of three teams left in the league without a defeat.
- Chelsea has the best goal differential away from home this season (+11).
- Tottenham could be missing five first-team players due to injury.
View Chelsea vs Manchester United Matchup Page
Blues Still Unbeaten
Entering the weekend, Chelsea sits third in the table with 28 points from 12 games. Along with Manchester City and Liverpool, the Blues are one of three Premier League clubs with points from every game so far this season. A brilliant start under new manager Maurizio Sarri in London.
With eight wins and four draws thus far, the Blues are just four points back of league leaders Manchester City and two points back of second-place Liverpool.
Prior to the international break, Chelsea had a bit of a slip with a 0-0 draw against Everton at Stamford Bridge. That gives the Blues four draws in their last seven Premier League matches after bagging all three points in their Sportsbook five matches to the season.
Chelsea Gets it Done Away from the Bridge
The Blues have played five matches away from Stamford Bridge and have won four of those. To add, the Blues sport the best goal differential in road matches (+11) with 12 goals scored and just one conceded (at Newcastle).
Now, while the competition has not been the crème de la crème of the league, results are results. Chelsea has recorded wins at Huddersfield, Newcastle, Southampton and Burnley with the draw coming at West Ham in a London Derby.
Furthermore, the Blues won this exact fixture last season by a score of 2-1 thanks to a Marcos Alonso brace with the Sportsbook coming in the 88th minute. That was Chelsea’s first win away to Tottenham in the Premier League since 2012 when they won 4-2.
Injury Concerns for Tottenham
This is where things get dicey for Spurs in this one. The good news is that Jan Vertonghen, their best defender, is back in training and might – MIGHT – feature in this contest. The bad news is the other injuries plaguing Mauricio Pochettino’s side. Midfielder Mousa Dembélé, centerback Davinson Sanchez, leftback Danny Rose and rightback Kieran Trippier look set to miss out.
On the Chelsea side, it looks as if Sarri’s only injury concern is midfielder Mateo Kovacic. This puts Spurs on the back foot in terms of depth and calling on someone to change the game late. It also signals potential starts for the likes of the erratic Serge Aurier in place of Trippier.
I say this in just about every preview I write, but you’ll want to keep an eye on player news here. A Vertonghen start is a BIG bonus for Spurs while possible starts for Aurier and the inconsistent Ben Davies (who has featured more than Rose) at the fullback spots could go one of a billion ways.
Ninja’s Pick
I mean, take your pick in 1X2 options here with all three offering great value with the draw appealing as a definite possibility at +245. Anytime goalscorer markets also look pretty good with Harry Kane leading the way at -105 and last season’s hero Marcos Alonso at +500. Me? I’m gonna take a shot on that draw at +245. It’s good value and a legit possibility in a London Derby by two squads that will be careful to not drop any points.
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