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Chelsea v Tottenham Football Preview (Aug 31)

August 30th, 2008

Here’s the latest EPL preview from the crew at Bodog Sportsbook.

Scolari - photo courtesy Bodog Sport This weekend the capital’s two big spenders come face to face, following very differing starts to the season. Luis Felipe Scolari has picked up where Avram Grant left off, on a winning streak (bar that night in Moscow). Tottenham have nil points and a fractured dressing room. Surely this can only go one way?

They may not have gone crazy in the transfer market but Chelsea have certainly bought wisely this summer. Deco and Jose Bosingwa have fitted into the starting line up with ease, a rarity in recent seasons for Chelsea new boys. Still, Robinho is expected to arrive by Monday, and that could upset the apple cart – two of Joe Cole, Michael Ballack, Michael Essien and Jon Obi Mikel will surely lose playing time because of the move.

Juande Ramos must be jealous of the Brazilian’s selection headache. Now that Dimitar Berbatov has plainly given up trying in training, the Tottenham boss is left with just one experienced striker in the shape of Darren Bent. A good pre-season for the Englishman has yet to materialise in the league.

Roman Pavlyuchenko - photo courtesy Bodog Sportsbook No wonder there’s still talk of Russian duo Andrey Arshavin and Roman Pavlyuchenko arriving before the transfer deadline. The Russian pair would boost Spurs’ confidence no end, but getting them before Sunday’s fixture looks unlikely.

So in reality Sunday’s fixture should be based on current clientele. Despite spending big, Spurs’ new signings have yet to shine. Both Luka Modric and Gio Dos Santos were expected to explode onto the scene but that has yet to happen. New goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes has yet to prove he’s any better than Paul Robinson too.

Down at Stamford Bridge, Deco has become an instant fans favourite (how soon they forget the Barcelona games), scoring in his first two games. Up front Nicolas Anelka still looks out of place in the Chelsea set up, but a goal on the opening day should keep his confidence up until Didier Drogba returns from injury.

Tottenham may have beaten the Blues in the Carling Cup final last year but there’s no looking past the Chelsea home form. Scolari’s men haven’t lost at home in the league for four years. There isn’t a cat’s chance in hell that an underperforming Spurs side can get three points at Stamford Bridge. And the leaky defence should provide enough chances for a comfortable Chelsea win come 90 minutes.

Prediction: Chelsea Win

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