Arsenal set fair to earn bragging rights again
Spurs’ march in Europe hid some poor league form and they could pay heavy derby price
Mauricio Pochettino has worked wonders at Tottenham since being appointed just over five years ago and their run to the Champions League final last season highlighted what an amazing coaching job he has done.
However, the Argentine has been linked with the likes of Real Madrid or Manchester United at various points in the past few months and the signs are starting to show that Tottenham’s cycle of excellence could be coming to an end.
Their Champions League run masked some poor league form towards the end of the season and Spurs have won just four of their past 15 Premier League matches: against Brighton, Huddersfield Town, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.
To put that into perspective, that is a worse points return from the past 15 matches than Watford have managed under Javi Gracia.
Pochettino’s side tackle a north London derby tomorrow and there is no way I can see anything other than a big Arsenal victory. Unai Emery’s side have suffered problems only on the road since the Spaniard took charge, losing just two league games at the
Arsenal to beat Tottenham Aston Villa to beat Crystal Palace
Odds may fluctuate Begambleaware. org Emirates last season, and they look a stronger team this time around with the signings of David Luiz and Nicolas Pepe. Arsenal have beaten Tottenham by two goals in their past two home league meetings and look decent value at 13/10 to beat their neighbours again. Elsewhere in the Premier League, I cannot resist backing Aston Villa to beat Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park at 12/5.
Yes, Palace beat Manchester United at Old Trafford last week, but they also beat Manchester City at the Etihad last season and still had the second-worst home win record in the Premier League after Huddersfield. Palace failed to score at home in their opening match of the season against Everton despite playing 10 men for the last 15 minutes and promoted Villa looked lively on the break against Tottenham in their only away game so far. regaining the Ashes after being outplayed for much of the match.
But after an almost matchless century from Ben Stokes and a heroic single from Jack Leach brought about the unlikeliest of victories, the hosts have regained favouritism to win this series at 11/8, with Australia priced at 5/2 and a drawn series at 7/4.
However, at those prices, I would far rather be a backer of Australia, given their overall performances in this Ashes series. In all the effusiveness of the praise surrounding Stokes, it is easy to forget that Australia would have won but for a blown review and a fumble from Nathan Lyon when Leach was miles out of his crease. Also, Australia were without Steve Smith and he is expected to return on Wednesday at Old Trafford, for which England are 11/10, Australia 13/8 and the draw 7/2.
However, if there is one betting certainty, it is Stokes to win BBC Sports Personality of the Year. He is 1/5 to do so and it is impossible to see him losing out. Only an England Rugby World Cup success could throw up a challenger and even then it would have to take a remarkable tournament from an individual to get anywhere close to toppling Stokes.