With Spurs showing some form in midweek, can they keep up their fine record against Liverpool?
There may just be only three points between Spurs and Liverpool heading into today’s game but the deeper numbers suggest that the Reds are playing significantly better.
Spurs problems in front of goal are well documented and their goal tally of 15 in 15 games suggests they won’t exactly bag a hatful today, even if Martin Skrtl completes a hat-trick of OGs in three games.
Tottenham to score under 0.5 goals is a tasty 11/4, so unless Mr Skrtl gets his angles wrong again, that bet has a more than decent chance of landing.
Liverpool are second in the table and that position is driven by their prowess in front of goal. Thirty four goals in 15 games, more than twice what Spurs have managed, is impressive, but it is worth remembering that 12 of those goals were scored by Daniel Sturridge and Steven Gerrard, both of home are injured for this game.
Luis Suarez, of course, is in sensational form with 15 goals this season and how he will fare against Spurs’ miserly defence will be intriguing. The Uruguayan is 4/1 to be first goalscorer and with Gerrard out, Suarez will surely be on all free kicks and penalties so it looks a sound bet to us.
The above would lead you to think we fancy Liverpool to win (2/1) but their record at White Hart Lane in recent seasons is appalling. The Londoners have won the last five on the bounce, four of them by a score of 2-1, with one 4-0 hammering in September 2011.
The odds on another 2-1 is 9/1, and with Spurs finding their goalscoring touch in the Europa League against Anzhi, perhaps they can pull it off.
Spurs to win outright is 7/5 and a draw is 23/10, a result we could easily see coming to pass but we’re sticking our necks on the line and going for Spurs.
If they win, it will be tight, so Spurs to win by one goal, at 33/10, is the bet we’ll be properly investing in today.
