Chelsea vs. Tottenham Hotspur and Pick to Win
Date:Sunday, August 20th, 2017
Where: English Premier League The Lane – London, UK
by Keith, Professional Soccer/Football Handicapper, Predictem
Match Odds: Chelsea 31/10, Tottenham 11/10, Draw 13/5
Moneyline: Chelsea +310, Tottenham +110, Draw +260
Over/Under Best Market: OVER 2.5 10/11 (-110)
To kickoff Week 2 of the English Premier League, the North London Derby is under way with the two top teams of the 2016 Premier League season squaring off in what will be a barnburner. On Sunday, the Blues of Chelsea will travel across the city to face Tottenham Hotspur as the duo will renew their Piccadilly Line rivalry. Tottenham Hotspur comes in off an opening win against recently promoted Newcastle United up-north in Geordie land last week. Chelsea enters off a shocking loss at Turf Moor against Burnley, where Chelsea fell behind early due to a booking that resulted in Antonio Contes Blues playing with one less on the pitch
The opening week Chelsea defeat at Turf Moor has been the talk of the soccer world as the defending champions were penciled in as an easy win against the Yorkshire-club. However, as we have covered last season, Turf Moor is a tough site to play for any club. Chelsea drew Burnley on its own pitch last campaign in the midst of their title run. As a result the Blues were set up for a huge let-down against Burnley with the expectations searing off their championship effort in the 2016-17 season. With Chelsea heading to The Lane, a place notorious for home pitch advantage for the Spurs, the prognostication here is grim for Chelsea. In just two weeks, Chelsea may find itself hovering near the bottom of the table with a second straight loss if they continue their road skid this weekend in Tottenham. However, reactions to both a Tottenham victory against Newcastle and the Chelsea loss are driving this market. It is very likely that it is Tottenham who is set up for a let-down now given the recent chain of events.
The same ill fate that befell the Blues helped propel Spurs to a victory on opening victory. At half time, the fixture remained deadlocked in a draw between Tottenham and Newcastle. At the 48th minute, emotions would flare up and the Magpies would lose a man for the rest of the game by virtue of a red card. Tottenham would take advantage and walk off with the 2-0 victory. Had both sides been at full strength, one could surmise Tottenham may have walked out with a point as opposed to three. Such affairs would have changed the entire complexion of this game had it played out in that manner.
Given the stocks of both teams in this situation, Chelsea has an opportunity to be a great steal at the price offered here as an outright. Lets not forget we are getting a defending champion at above 3 to 1. Given the fact we would normally expect to pay a premium for anything to do with the Blues, this could be the best time of the entire campaign to place our money down on Chelsea.
For Tottenham, the contest at home signals victory and puts them in a position to get far ahead of Chelsea this early in the season. As Tottenham has meandered near the top of the table for the last two campaigns, this would keep them in position to stay at the top of the table and once again state their case as a contender. Tottenham and Chelsea have the firepower to open this one up to a full-blown slugfest of offense. Thus, scoring may ignite this weekend. Given the fact three goals is certainly attainable and requires just a standard vig, this may be an option worth looking at. Ultimately in this first edition of the North London Derby, we stand to risk 2.1 units potentially for the return of 4.1 units in return if both wagers hit.
Chelsea Recent Form
L Burnley 2-3
L Arsenal 1-1 (3-1 Penalties) (Community Shield)
L Arsenal 1-2 (3-1 Penalties) (FA Cup Final)
W Sunderland 5-1
W Watford 4-3
Tottenham Hotspur Recent Form
W Newcastle United 2-0
W Hull City 7-1
W – Leicester City 6-1
W Manchester United 2-1
L West Ham United 0-1
Keith’s Prediction for the Game: CHELSEA (31/10) +310 and OVER 2.5 (10/11) -110.
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