It’s Spurs who currently occupy that precious fourth place in the Premier League, with Liverpool shooting themselves firmly in the foot on Monday night at Wigan.
Harry Redknapp might appear laid-back about his team’s chances of Champions League football next season, although the bookies offer a best price 7/2 (bet365) about Tottenham joining Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United among Europe’s elite next season.
The north London side should certainly have too much in the locker for their opponents on Saturday afternoon and punters will be filling their accumulators with the 4/9 available at all good bookmakers (including Ladbrokes, Paddy Power and bet365).
However, with nine wins recorded in fourteen league games at White Hart Lane, it’s dangerous to class them as bankers just yet, with Spurs having slipped up at home to the likes of Hull, Wolves and Stoke this term. They often resort to long ball tactics if no breakthrough is made, although Jermain Defoe (7/2 Sporting Bet) should return from injury in place of either Peter Crouch (5/1 Sky Bet) or Roman Pavlyuchenko (9/2 William Hill).
Rovers have had a fortnight’s break ahead of this game and they were slightly unfortunate not to get something at Anfield last time out. Blackburn are 7/1 (Victor Chandler) to do Manchester City and Aston Villa a massive favour by winning just their second game on the road this season, although the 10/3 (Stan James) that the match finishes in a draw is far more realistic.
Sam Allardyce will be looking for his side to nullify the opposition, especially with Aaron Lennon continuing to be sidelined for the home team. Ladbrokes offer even money that there are Under 2.5 Goals and there’s something of a misconception that Tottenham are a free-scoring team that are prone to conceding goals. Redknapp has got Spurs well-organised at the back, even if Ledley King continues to be sidelined and they are an interesting 5/4 (Paddy Power) to win to nil.