SPURS OF THE MOMENT
TOTTENHAM HAVE A BIG ROLE TO PLAY IN TITLE
IF YOU had told Tottenham fans that they would play a massive part in the title race they would have bitten your hands off.
To be fair they have had a solid season, particularly on the back of Harry Kane leaving and the untested Ange Postecoglou coming in.
Of course, their role in the runin is to play all three teams at the top. And there are still three sides in the battle for the Premier League.
If Spurs beat Arsenal at home tomorrow and also see off Manchester City on their own patch, but lose to Liverpool at Wembley, then it still might be Jurgen Klopp’s fantastic farewell.
Dent
That is to come, though. For now it is all about the North London derby and how Tottenham fans would love to put a dent in their great rivals’ hopes.
Arsenal have bounced back from defeat to Aston Villa — dispelling the nonsense about how they are bottlers for losing to a good Villa side — to beat Wolves and Chelsea and they can sense the nish line now.
With Bournemouth and Everton to come at home they should take six points there, so the challenge comes tomorrow and when they go to Manchester United — another side that traditionally love to put one over Arsenal.
The first derby earlier in the season was a fantastic match, but one that left Mikel Arteta fuming with his side as they gained a two-one lead only to throw it away immediately as the game ended 2-2.
Freedom
With games against Sheffield United and Burnley to come, Spurs know that those six points will probably be enough to secure them a top-five place given United’s inconsistency.
That makes this a complete free shot for Spurs and given that they already play with a marvellous freedom, that makes them dangerous.
Yet, although I am not a massive believer in using bare stats, the fact remains that Arsenal have
scored more and conceded fewer than all the other teams this season.
Tottenham have a great chance, but Arsenal are close to something special.
I always say that the Invincibles season was the worst thing to happen to Arsenal. That wasn’t one of the great teams and yet they seemed to believe the tag, but it is 20 years since that title win and they have not brought the trophy home since.
Arteta has finally got them over that and the Arsene Wenger era and they would be worthy champions. I still think they have a great chance and I must back them here, although 4-5 is a very short price given their opponents.
As my bet I think I’d rather take Arsenal to win and both teams to score at 2-1.
Manchester City are back to second after Thursday’s thumping of Brighton and a trip to Nottingham Forest tomorrow ought to yield three more points.
City do seem to have hit a good patch of form — don’t forget Real Madrid couldn’t beat them in two attempts — while Forest are so close to being sucked through the trap door.
I’m surprised you can get as big as 23-10 on City at -2 on the handicap. Given it is so late in the season they are fairly healthy as a squad and now they have no Champions League to worry about they can give this a real rattle, despite the quick turnaround from Thursday.
Danger
It is too early to write off Liverpool, but the wheels do look close to falling off and a trip to West Ham looks fraught with danger.
David Moyes might be on his way out of the club at the end of the season given the recent rumours, but his team are still a good one, capable of beating the best.
Liverpool ought to win, but sometimes a team just can’t get over the line and at 39-10 the draw is certainly worth a play for this xture.
Of today’s other games I do like the look of Everton, who are virtually safe now after beating their Merseyside neighbours in midweek. At 29-20 they look a good price to back that up by beating Brentford.
The battle for the league in Scotland is hotting up and both Celtic and Rangers are on the road tomorrow.
Rangers are up rst at a St Mirren side that has had a great campaign. I might have a quid on St Mirren to lead at the break but Rangers to win in the end at 25-1.
Celtic have conceded a few lately and, while they should have no problem in Dundee, a bit on the 8-5 for the Bhoys to win but both teams to score should be taken.
Moving to the Championship and it is another cracking weekend in the hurling, although the football looks a bit tame.
Tomorrow’s three games in the hurling are all intriguing and lunchtime’s the battle between Galway and Kilkenny sees Henry Shefflin going against his own county again.
Neither team set the world alight in the League so this is a difficult one to call.
Both won as expected last week so I think this is all on the day and I will go with the Tribesmen at 5-6.
Home
In Munster the campaign can get away from you quickly and despite their League win Clare need to get back on track quickly after collapsing against Limerick.
Cork are the same after losing to Waterford but I think that home advantage can help the Rebels and I give them the nod at 13-10.
Tipperary make their bow at Limerick tomorrow, but having pulled a great win out last week, I expect the Treaty to do the same again and at 5-6 I am backing them to win at -4 on the handicap.am, te voluptiunt et