English Premier
2012-01-11 - Tottenham Hotspur vs Everton
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Wednesday 11 January 2012 - Kick Off 7:45pm
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur have a real chance to make a statement in the Premier League as they have a couple of home games in a row before the trip to the Etihad Stadium to face the leaders Manchester City. Harry Redknapp will feel, inside at least, that his side are very much in the title race but they have to prove that by not dropping points in the next two games at White Hart Lane.
The team are 3rd in the Premier League, but can join Manchester United on points with a win on Wednesday, a win that would see them move to within 3 points of leaders Manchester City. The aim at the start of the season was to return Spurs to the Champions League, and Harry Redknapp's team leads 5th placed Arsenal by 6 points and this game to play. Tottenham are 7-1-1 at White Hart Lane this season, scoring 18 goals and conceding 8.
This will actually be Spurs' 3rd home game of 2012 having beaten West Brom in the League and Cheltenham Town in the FA Cup, both without conceding a goal. They are unbeaten in 7 games in all competitions, and Spurs have only conceded 2 goals in that time. Tottenham have won 4 of their last 5 home games in all competitions, all 4 wins coming with a clean sheet.
Scott Parker looks set to miss this game as are Sandro, Tom Huddlestone, Ledley King and William Gallas. Michael Dawson could make his first start in the League this season after coming through the game against Cheltenham. Aaron Lennon also returned to the line up in that Cup game and could retain his place.
Everton
I say it almost every time I write a preview which involves Everton and that is that they are a very much an inconsistent side and one in which David Moyes is doing an exceptional job on limited funds. The fans are a little down with the board as they feel they are not allowing the club to progress, but without investment, this is as good as it is likely to be for Everton.
Everton are 11th in the Premier League coming into this game, but will move back into the top half of the table as long as they pick up a positive result from White Hart Lane. There is still a slight concern that Everton could be dragged back down to a relegation scrap as they are only 8 points better off than 18th placed Bolton Wanderers. The Toffees are 4-1-4 away from home this season, scoring 10 goals and conceding 10.
The side should come in with a little bit of confidence as they have lost just 1 of their last 6 games in all competitions, although that did come in their last Premier League game at home against Bolton. Everton have only lost 1 of their last 4 games away from home, that coming in a close game at Arsenal, and they have won 2 of those games.
An already small squad will be stretched with the likes of Phil Jagielka, Leon Osman, Jack Rodwell and Tony Hibbert all likely to miss out. Seamus Coleman may also miss out after suffering a knock at the weekend.
Head to Head
Everton have a fantastic recent record in the League at White Hart Lane, losing just 1 of their last 5 visits to this part of North London.
Everton had won 3 in a row here before losing and then drawing last season.
Prediction
This would have been a really tough task for Everton if they had a full squad travelling down to London, but the injuries makes it very hard for me to believe that they are going to get a result against a confident Tottenham Hotspur side.
Spurs have been playing very well at home since losing their opening game here to Manchester City, and they seem to have too much pace in the side for Everton to cope with. The return of Aaron Lennon gives Harry Redknapp more options, and he has also been fortunate in resting players after a busy Christmas period.
I can't see Tottenham slipping up ahead of their big game with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in 10 days time and I think they will be too good for Everton. Defensively they have been playing very well, while Everton have struggled for goals, so I will have a small interest in the home side winning with a clean sheet at 2.50.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Everton
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Tottenham Hotspur Win to Nil @ 2.50 (Coral)
