Chelsea v Spurs Betting Preview

If you're one for the stats then there's only one way this game is going to end. Spurs haven't beaten Chelsea in the league for 16 years, an incredible record considering that the Blues weren't always in possession of a Russian sugar daddy. Chelski can extend their unbeaten home record to 40 games as they continue the inevitable roll towards a second consecutive Premiership title, the question being not if but by how much. Tottenham on the other hand are setting records of their own, though not as spectacular as their London rivals Martin Jol has led them to their most successful Premiership season to date and is on the brink of leading them to the promised land that is champions League football.ChelseaIt's been a tough week for poor Jose and the poor guy needs our support in his time of crisis, maybe uncle Roman will buy him a new striker to cheer him up. Sarcasm aside we may have witnessed something very important on Tuesday night as Chelsea were knocked out Europe. Chelsea may have all the money in the world but they're not the best team on the planet and in the end they were undone by a player with the type of creative imagination that Mourinho has laboured to stifle in the likes of Joe Cole and Damien Duff. It's encouraging to think that football might be moving back towards the brilliant and away from the resilient and well organised. For this season anyway Chelsea will trundle on predictably wearing down their opponents with the occasional flash of brilliance that will no doubt see the selfish showboater condemned to the reserves the following week. The Blues aren't playing the expansive, exciting football of last season and as more teams figure out Jose's system they are relying on the brilliance of their backline to frustrate their opponents and then hitting them on the counter attack. One big plus has been the re-emergence of Joe Cole, while it is a shame that we don't get to see the flicks and tricks that prompted Chelsea to buy him in the first place he has become a far more productive player. His display for England v Uruguay should guarantee him a starting place in Germany. On current form he is a good bet to get on the scoresheet and he's the type of player to break oppositions' hearts so take him at 15/2 for last goalscorer. Chelsea have been leaking goals since the turn of the year and against Spurs' in form frontline you should avoid any scorlines with a 0 in it.SpursMartin Jol can be proud of a job well done up to this point but the Spurs fans now want that 4th place and the Champions League spot that accompanies it. Defeat here and Tottenham will still be in 4th but with Arsenal starting to improve and Bolton with games in hand the pressure will really be on. The problem is that Spurs haven't been in the best of form lately and last weeks win over Blackburn was lucky to say the least, Mark Hughes' side played them off the park and only for a flash of brilliance from Robbie Keane and some suspect decisions from the officials they would have been deservedly beaten. A better showing will be needed and against Chelsea and I expect Spurs to produce it, Robinson will be needed to come for the long balls and crosses that will be humped into the box if Drogba starts while Dawson and King will need to have their wits about them if they're dealing with Crespo. Encouragingly for Jol whichever striking partnership he has gone for has been producing goals but Defoe is likely to miss out again. Of Keane and Mido the physical Egyptian will prove more of a handful for Terry and Carvalho and at 9/1 at Paddypower is great value for 1st goalscorer.ConclusionNeither side is on top of their game but the derby factor should be enough to inspire some lively individual performances. Chelsea are unbeaten at home this season and I'd expect that to continue. Verdict: Both sides to ride their luck at times in an exciting 2-2 draw