Tottenham vs Blackburn

In contrast to Wednesday night's meeting between Chelsea and Man Utd in south west London, there's still plenty to play for in north London on Thursday night when Tottenham entertain Blackburn. Spurs are very much in pole position for a place in next season's Uefa Cup, a competition in which they've enjoyed a cracking run during the current campaign. If they overcome the Rovers at White Hart Lane, they'll be guaranteed another crack at that piece of silverware in 2007/08. Conversely, Mark Hughes' men have to win this fixture and beat Reading at the weekend just to have a fighting chance of making the cut for the Uefa Cup. As things stand, the Lancashire club look more likely to be contesting the Intertoto Cup next term. The visitors, like the hosts, go into this game on the back of a four-match unbeaten run, and both have won their last two. Blackburn outpointed Newcastle 0-2 at the weekend, while Spurs were not extended to win by the same score at The Valley against Charlton on Monday. And, if last year's corresponding fixture is anything to go by, goals could be in the offing. That match at 'The Lane' produced a five-goal thriller with Martin Jol's charges emerging victorious. And, despite the fact that Blackburn-Spurs encounters are generally tighter, this clash could easily produce a flurry of goals with European adventures at stake. Indeed, there is plenty of firepower within the ranks on both sides, with Spurs' in-form striking triumvirate of Berbatov, Defoe and Keane tucking goals away for fun in recent weeks, while Benni McCarthy and Jason Roberts have been responsible for nine of Blackburn's last 12 goals. All things considered, Blue Square's offer of 11/5 about 4+ in the total goals market makes for a thoroughly appealing bet. A home victory looks the likely outcome, but Blackburn will go pound for pound and toe to toe with their hosts and I envisage that this game will be played at a frenetic pace. Verdict - 2pts 4+ in the total goals market @ 11/5 (Blue Square)