English Premier
2012-04-01 - Tottenham Hotspur vs Swansea
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Sunday 1 April 2012 - Kick Off 4pm
This game is live on TV
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur hit a really sticky patch of their season in recent weeks, but the point earned at Stamford Bridge coupled with the win over Bolton Wanderers to progress through to the Semi Final of the FA Cup could be a turning point. At the time of writing, it does seem they will be under a bit of pressure with Chelsea closing the gap in the table, but Spurs need to concentrate on what they need to do.
The Champions League adventure of 2010 was clearly so enjoyable that Spurs will want to do anything to get back to that stage. They are currently in the final spot to take their place in that competition, but could be just 2 points clear of Chelsea who are winning as I am writing this. Spurs are 10-3-2 at White Hart Lane this season, scoring 31 goals and conceding just 14.
Spurs are now unbeaten in their last 3 games and they won just the 2nd game in their last 8 games in all competitions on Tuesday night against Bolton in the FA Cup. They have picked up just 2 points from the last 15 available in the Premier League, both coming in their last 2 games after 3 consecutive defeats to Arsenal, Manchester United and Everton. Spurs have been strong at home for the most part, winning 4 of their last 6 games here.
Aaron Lennon is back in the squad for this game and I think Harry Redknapp will make a couple of changes from the side that beat Bolton in the Cup. Ledley King has had a few more days than usual to rest his knees and I think he will start.
Swansea
Swansea have rightly received a lot of plaudits up and down the country for their performance in their first season in the Premier League. They have been playing so well that manager Brendan Rodgers has been linked as a potential candidate to take over at Chelsea or perhaps Tottenham Hotspur if Harry Redknapp is offered and accepts the England job.
The team were brought a little down to Earth last week as they were beaten 0-2 at home by Everton and that loss saw them drop down to 10th in the Premier League table (before the Saturday results have come through). The Swans are 4-3-8 away from home, scoring 15 goals and conceding 24.
They had won 3 consecutive Premier League games before the defeat to Everton last week. Swansea have actually recorded 3 of their aways win in the League this season in their last 4 games, and they have won consecutive games at Wigan and Swansea without conceding a goal. In fact, looking a little bit deeper, their 4 away wins this season have come in their last 6 away games.
Steven Caulker cannot play in this game as he has been loaned from Tottenham so Garry Monk could come into the side. Nathan Dyer is back from suspension and will travel to London with the rest of the squad.
Head to Head
Swansea scored a goal in the last 6 minutes when these teams met earlier in the season at the Liberty Stadium, earning a 1-1 draw from that game.
This is their first trip to White Hart Lane since 1991 when they were beaten 5-1 in a League Cup tie.
They last met in a League game here in the 1982/83 season.
Prediction
Swansea do play some lovely football which is very pleasing on the eye, but that does mean that they will allow Tottenham Hotspur to play their own brand of football which should make for an interesting game on Sunday afternoon.
I just think Spurs may just have turned a corner with their last three results and that should give them the confidence to earn the three points from this game.
Swansea will play a lot of possession football, but I do think Spurs have a little more potency up front- they missed a host of chances against Bolton during the week, but the fact they got the win could give them the belief in this one.
With the belief that Spurs will win the game, I think they can do so with a little bit to spare- Swansea have lost 8 games this season, but 7 of those have come by at least two goals.
Tottenham have plenty of attacking options in their team and they could get the job done with a bit to spare if they are a little more composed in front of goal and have a little more luck.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Swansea
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back Tottenham Hotspur -1.75 Asian Handicap @ 2.40 (Bet365)
