English Premier
2011-10-23 - Blackburn Rovers vs Tottenham Hotspur
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football : English Premier League
Sunday 23 October 2011 - Kickoff 3pm
Blackburn Rovers
It has emerged that Steve Kean has taken the lead in the 'Sack Race' according to the layers ahead of a big game for Blackburn on Sunday when they meet Tottenham at Ewood Park. Apparently another demonstration against Kean is due to take place before the game and this is just not a good situation at a struggling club.#
Blackburn fell to the bottom of the table last week when Bolton beat Wigan, although they are currently in that position due to an inferior goal difference compared with the Latics. They have struggled at Ewood Park where they are 1-0-3 this season, scoring 5 goals but conceding 10 and only Bolton have conceded more home goals than them this season.
The team have failed to win any of their last 3 League games since surprising Arsenal with a 4-3 home win. Blackburn earned a credible 1-1 draw at QPR last week, stopping a run of 2 consecutive defeats and it was also the first time in 4 games that they had not conceded at least 2 goals in a game. Blackburn have conceded 2 or more goals in 3 of their 4 home games in the Premier League.
David Dunn has been ruled out, although the team could be boosted by the return of Morten Gamst Pedersen from injury. There are no new injury worries for Steve Kean.
Tottenham Hotspur
After a turbulent start to the season which saw Tottenham Hotspur get hammered by both Manchester clubs, as well as Luka Modric demanding a move away from club, the team have picked up form of late and are once again one of the favourites to finish in the Champions League places this season.
Tottenham are 6th in the Premier League table having improved to 13 points from their opening 7 games. They earned a draw at Newcastle last week in a game they could have won if not conceding so late, but the form remains positive. Spurs are 2-1-1 away from home in the League, scoring 6 goals and conceding 6.
Since losing back to back League games to open the season, Spurs had won 4 in a row before the 2-2 draw with Newcastle last week. The team have won 4 of their last 5 games in all competitions and they are unbeaten in their last 9 games since losing to Manchester City at home. They have only won 1 of their last 4 away games in all competitions, but they are unbeaten in 5.
Harry Redknapp has admitted he has plenty of defensive problems with only Younos Kaboul and Sebastien Bassong the only fit centre halves available as Vedrun Corluka, Michael Dawson, Ledley King and William Gallas all out. Brad Friedal, Luka Modric, Gareth Bale and Emmanuel Adebayor will all likely return to the side after being rested in Thursday's Europa League tie.
Head to Head
Tottenham have won 4 Premier League games in a row against Blackburn, and have won 5 of the last 6 meetings.
Spurs have won back to back games at Ewood Park after failing to win in 4 attempts here, and the last two wins have come with a clean sheet.
The corresponding fixture last season ended 0-1 to Spurs in February courtesy of a Peter Crouch goal.
Prediction
Tottenham had been priced up at evens at the start of the week, but all the outside tensions at Ewood Park have seen them shortened, although I still like them to win this game at the 1.92 that is readily available at a number of places.
Spurs have been playing well of late and should be able to take advantage of the Blackburn defence which is struggling to keep teams down to 1 goal per game, let alone a clean sheet. With the likes of Modric, Bale, Adebayor and Rafael Van der Vaart, there looks to be plenty of goals in the side and I think they will be able to get a couple of goals here.
Blackburn have looked to play attacking football at home, and that has left them a little short at the back which was cruelly exposed by a rampant Manchester City side earlier this month. They should be able to grab a goal themselves against a Spurs backline that is short of numbers, but I expect the London club will be too strong and should grab the 3 points.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Blackburn Rovers 1-3 Tottenham Hotspur
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back Tottenham Hotspur to win @ 1.92
