Spurs v Everton: Betting Preview

Tottenham Hotspur v Everton

Live on ESPN. Kick off 1pm

Spurs are out to 2.14 in the match odds with a resurgent Everton in town and despite losing in midweek the momentum is with the Toffees says Richard Walker

Such is Everton’s admirable resurgence this season that Spurs are as far out as 2.12 in the match odds market (The Draw is 3.45 and Everton 4.1).

That Tottenham price alone is a singular reflection of what a job, in my eyes, perennial manager of the season David Moyes has once again fashioned on Merseyside. Funny enough, their good form extends right back to their come-from-behind 2-2 at Goodison Park back in December.

Moyes’ cast-iron belief in his side never wavers, and it didn’t once again after a mediocre start to the campaign on the blue side of Stanley Park. The hosts would have been far shorter than 2.0 only a couple of months ago.

It’s hard to think of this as anything other than a banana skin match for Spurs. I believe Everton are too far back and have too many teams between them to challenge for the fourth spot that their hosts both occupy and covet come season’s end.

All the talk in north London is of a virus that swept through Spurs’ Chigwell (Essex) training ground during the week. Much has been made of it by boss Harry ‘Bare Bones’ Redknapp, a ready-made excuse methinks should his mob not put away a Toffees side he knows are in tip-top form.

And that’s the worry at White Hart Lane. They’re putting away the lesser teams no bother – Wigan and Bolton 3-0 and 4-0 are their last two results against Premier League opposition – but have struggled in general against superior opponents, regardless of venue.

It’s what makes this match a really good appetiser for the Carling Cup Final which follows it on what’s a high-quality afternoon compared to some of the detritus we’ve had to suffer recently.

The anti-virus team news is also quite interesting. Jermain Defoe is rated a doubt with a hamstring strain and Peter Crouch (foot) is also unlikely to feature. Losing Marouane Fellaini was a blow for Everton, no doubt, however Phil Jagielka returned in midweek to provide a timely boost.

I think there’s enough going against Spurs and for Everton here that we could well see an away win. I’ll be playing the visitors for victory with a small saver on The Draw. Taking away the midweek defeat, Everton’s form has been nothing short of scintillating and I think they’ll want to get that Lisbon disappointment out of their system quick sharp.

Goals is a very tough one to call. Moyes can chuck in a 4-5-1 on the road which would make the 1.92 about Under 2.5 goals look tempting. However, at better than evens 2.06, Over 2.5 goals looks interesting enough for me, given my suspicions that both teams will score.

It might be better to cover some correct score options, in the hope of turning a profit by staking around a little – or indeed laying some numbers you don’t think likely, if that’s more your game.

A 1-1 is priced at 7.4, perhaps a little long to lay with real confidence, but you see where I’m coming from. The 12.0 you’d be liable for to lay a goalless draw is a risk I’d take on. I think this game’s too important for Spurs to win for them not to commit everything forward should the match be heading towards a stalemate.

If I had to play at the prices, 2-1 Everton would be what I’d back at 14.5, covered with 2-2 18.5 and possibly 3-0 Spurs at 22.0 if my thinking is completely awry. As always with this section, there’s a juicy price awaiting you if you think you’ve got it cracked.

With some uncertainty about Spurs’ regular forwards, it may pay dividends to pay more than a passing interest to in-form striker Roman Pavlyuchenko. A 2.72 to score option would seem a fair mark – certainly that’s where my look at the goalscorers starts. Given he’s racked up 13 in the Premier League, you might argue that Louis Saha’s price of 3.2 offers better value. There are plenty of other protagonists to consider, not least of which the mercurial Luka Modric.

A real good one, this, then. Get involved and then sit back and watch your profits build! Good luck.

Best Bets:

• Back Everton @ 4.1;
• Lay Under 2.5 goals @ 1.96;
• Back Saha to score @ 3.2.

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