by Tom Allen
Another blockbusting few days on the horizon in the Premier League and the
main action takes place later in the weekend.
Manchester United's trip to Stamford Bridge on Sunday probably just about
stakes centre stage and the Red Devils are likely to need maximum points to keep
pace at the top.
Manchester City, current leaders on goal difference, are expected to see-off
Fulham on Saturday evening but Roberto Mancini's side are miles from their best
at present and it might not be as straightforward as anticipated.
City's midweek loss at Everton has seen Spurs thrust back into title
contention and it is the London club's Monday night match at Anfield that really
catches the eye.
Liverpool, rejuvenated following domestic cup successes over both Manchester
clubs in the last week, will have their eyes on a Champions League spot, now
just four points behind Chelsea, but Kenny Dalgleish still has a long way to go
to convince me that the Reds have turned the corner and they must be taken on at
the prices.
No bigger than 6/5 with the likes of
BlueSq and
Bodog
to claim all three points, Liverpool have an extremely disappointing record at
Anfield in the top flight this season and were thumped at White Hart Lane in the
reverse fixture earlier in the campaign.
The Merseyside club finished that 4-0 defeat in September with just nine men
following the dismissals of Charlie Adam and Martin Skrtle but they were second
best throughout and have often been left frustrated on home soil this term, too.
Unbeaten they might be, but Liverpool have drawn seven of their 11 matches in
the top flight in front of their own fans and in Tottenham face a side far
better equipped than many of those teams that have already left with a point.
Spurs, just five points off the summit, were comfortable 3-1 winners over
Wigan on Tuesday and quite how they are as big as 13/5 with
Bet 365 to
oblige I'm not quite sure.
In Gareth Bale, Rafael Van Der Vaart, Luka Modric et al, Harry Redknapp has
any number of match-winners at his disposal and Spurs certainly possess the
greater threat going forward.
I expect the visitors to find the net at least once in the north-west and
that should be good enough to ensure at least a share of the spoils.
It's tempting to row in with Spurs at the prices but a draw probably suits
both teams and that looks the most likely outcome in what should be a terrific
match.
2pts Back Tottenham-Draw (Double Chance, vs. Liverpool) @ 4/6 (Bet 365)
