English Premier
2009-02-23 - Hull City vs Tottenham Hotspur
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Hull City
Hull had a blistering start to the season but now find themselves staring back down the table. Currently in 13th spot with a 7-8-10 record, they are only 6 points better off than Blackburn in 18th and the final relegation place. At home, Hull are 3-3-6 with 13 goals scored and 25 conceded. Only Tottenham and Middlesbrough have scored less goals at home this season and they have conceded the most goals at home.
They have failed to win any of their last 4 games, drawing their last 3 in all competitions. Hull have only won 1 of their last 16 Premier League games and have failed to win any of their last 9. However, during this bad run they have managed to beat Newcastle and Millwall as they progressed to the 5th round of the FA Cup. Hull have not won any of their last 4 League games, and they have lost 3 of those games.
Ian Ashbee, Daniel Cousin, Caleb Folan and Anthony Gardner are all back in contention but Craig Fagan is out.
Tottenham Hotspur
After their immediate upturn in fortune following the arrival of Harry Redknapp, Tottenham now have been struggling for form and remain in real relegation trouble in 16th spot. They have a 6-7-12 record which reads 2-2-8 away from home and are 2 points better off than Blackburn in 18th. Spurs have scored 15 goals away from home but conceded 22. Only the top 6 sides in the League and Hull have managed more away goals than Spurs.
Spurs have only won 1 of their last 9 League games and in this time have fallen out of the FA Cup. However they have managed to reach the final of the Carling Cup, although they look like they are about to exit the UEFA Cup. Spurs have lost 4 in a row away from home in the League since winning 0-2 at West Ham. Recent away defeats have come at other sides that are struggling at the bottom of the league- Bolton, Newcastle and West Brom being 3 of the 4 losses.
Harry Redknapp rested a lot of his first team in the loss at Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday and so I will expect the likes of Robbie Keane, Roman Pavyluchenko, Luka Modric, Jonathan Woodgate and Aaron Lennon to return to the side.
Head to Head
Hull and Tottenham met earlier this season when Hull followed up one win in North London over Arsenal with another at White Hart Lane 0-1.
Prediction
Hull are struggling for goals at home and their lack of confidence in gaining wins can be seen from their recent results. They are plummeting towards the bottom of the table and will be desperate to arrest this slide and put some more buffering between them and the relegation zone.
Tottenham have been struggling of late and the loss of Jermaine Defoe is going to hurt them. Redknapp will be hoping Robbie Keane can rediscover the form of last season. Recent away losses to rivals have hurt the side.
I think this game is very close to call but a key factor may be the goalscoring ability of either side. Defensively, Tottenham performed well in the Ukraine on Thursday and another performance like that could see them winning the 3 points here. I think Tottenham have goals in the side and this will enable them to secure a very important win here.
The Pick :
Hull City 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur
BEST BETTING TIP :
Tottenham Hotspur to WIN
