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Amid quite remarkable scenes at the usually muted Stamford Bridge, Manchester City's record-breaking start to the campaign was halted by Chelsea, however history suggests that Arsenal should fear facing the wounded leaders on Sunday.

The script is already being written for Manchester United to beat QPR earlier in the day to go top, and then the reinvigorated Gunners to kick Roberto Mancini's men while they are down. As a result, they are out to 1.88 to win the title from a low of 1.5.

But a glance at the statistics shows that clubs who suffer defeat after posting the longest unbeaten run at the beginning of the season rarely fold in the manner that many assume that they do.

In each of the last six years, the last side to have their loss column blemished - and intriguingly Manchester City are the sixth different team in as many seasons - all endured that hiccup on their travels and then bounced back with a home victory.

And that has been no mean feat on a number of those occasions either, such as in 2007-08 when Arsenal followed their week 16 reverse to Middlesbrough by conquering Chelsea 1-0 at the Emirates.

Similarly, the Blues reacted to a loss at Wigan two years ago by overcoming Liverpool, and Manchester United fought back from the shock of a defeat to Wolves last term by seeing off Manchester City.

So those speculating that the FA Cup winners' first genuine pursuit of the Premier League top spot could be over by Christmas are likely in for a nasty surprise, and 1.73 is a tasty price on them getting the better of a team who have lost to Manchester United, Tottenham and Liverpool.

It is worth noting though that in the seven campaigns since Arsenal did the unthinkable and went a whole year without defeat, the final side to lose has gone on to win the title on only three occasions.

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Walsall v Charlton
If this was a home game, Charlton would be trading at about 1.4; the fact they are just as good if not better on their travels means that the league leaders are a must-bet this weekend.

Saturday's 2-0 FA Cup win over League One rivals made it eight wins on the spin and once again showed their winning mentality, despite manager Chris Powell making changes to his usual line-up. Carlisle lacked some quality in the final third, but Charlton are a very hard side to play against despite all their quality. Powell favours a 4-4-2, and the Addicks are best when stretching the play out wide, they have pace, and are particularly good on the counter attack. The defence is ultra solid, and they've kept six clean sheets in that winning run of eight games.

Against the excellent Huddersfield, Charlton showed themselves the much better team, and I always look to sides that are able to keep clean sheets.

Walsall are in the relegation zone and lack the quality to trouble the best away defence in the division. The Saddlers got involved in a rough and tumble FA Cup tie last Saturday and just lumped the ball long against Dagenham, whilst the weekend before was a drab 0-0 against Stevenage, a game that involved no football whatsoever.

The hosts do play for their young boss Dean Smith, but they can be a bit predictable.

Back Charlton to beat Walsall @ 1.85
Back Charlton Clean Sheet @ 2.7
Lay First Half Goals - Over 1.5 @ 2.8
Back 0-1 @ 8.2 & 0-2 @ 11.0 Correct Scores (To Charlton)


Preston v Stevenage
Everything points to a low scoring encounter here, with a fragile Preston tackling the recent under 2.5 goals specialists Stevenage, which should give a strong pointer to several bets.

The hosts had no FA Cup match on Saturday but were ugly in grinding out a 1-0 win at Hartlepool two weeks ago, a much needed victory which subsequently resulted in Pools sacking their manager. If North End had lost, it could have been Phil Brown finding himself out of a job. Preston are just one win from six, but crucially they have scored just two goals in that run, with all six games hitting the Under 2.5 Goals option. They are badly missing the qualities of Iain Hume, but they are not a great side and need to scrap for clean sheets.

Stevenage will relish the fight. They are big, robust, physical and strong in a tackle. To their credit they are unbeaten in nine league and cup games, keeping an astonishing amount of clean sheets - seven to be precise. Manager Graham Westley talks of overloading areas and using the full-backs. It's quite basic stuff, which I am sure would see the gods of the game turn their thumbs down at, but it's effective and they are hard to beat.

Lay Preston @ 2.58
Back Under 2.5 Goals @ 2.06
Back 0-0 Correct Score @ 13.0


Oldham v Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday are hunting down league leaders Charlton, and Gary Megson is making the Owls a real force in the division. They've improved on their travels this season, and have won their last three on the road, all 2-1. They are, as expected for a Megson team, well drilled and disciplined, and excel at set pieces and long throw-ins. In Reda Johnson they have an absolute monster as an aerial threat, whilst the impish Ryan Lowe is starting to score.

Oldham have some momentum and are unbeaten in five matches. Manager Paul Dickov lines up a 4-4-2, with a decent forward line in Shefqi Kuqi and Robbie Simpson. The latter is a clever footballer who finds the space well, Kuqi is a good old fashioned battering ram.

Dickov will want to be very solid here, not giving Wednesday too much early in the game, so it's worth a look at the half-time markets for a fairly tight encounter, with several opportunities In-Play at the interval.

Back Under 2.5 Goals @ 2.14
Back 0-0 @ 15.0 & 0-1 @ 12.0 Correct Scores
Back Half Time Draw @ 2.3

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On the eve of the launch of a brand new greyhound racing programme backed by Betfair, Racing Post Greyhound TV presenter Darrell Williams, looks forward to exciting times ahead for dog fans.

I've lost count of the number of people who've asked me over the past couple of years why there's not more greyhound racing on TV and whether a greyhound channel - like the old Channel 425 - would ever come back.

Well now, after what seems an eternity in the waiting, Racing Post Greyhound TV hits the screens this Friday evening on Sky Channel 231 and Freesat Channel 402.

Betfair, in partnership with the leading bookmakers, and under the Racing Post umbrella have teamed up to bring live greyhound racing back to your living room every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. Each night will feature full cards from two meetings - that's around 75 races a week - with the action set to include both Open racing and graded fare.

Indeed, this Friday's launch programme includes the semi-finals of the Essex Vase on an all-Open race card from Romford, alongside a full graded programme from Sunderland followed by a double-header of Crayford, featuring a brand new race the Kent National Hurdle, plus Newcastle on Saturday. Hove and Henlow (Monmore will take over in the spring) will be the regular Thursday night tracks from next week.

And I, for one, having been asked to present alongside Errol Blyth and Jason Barrasford, can't wait! We'll be based in studios in Central London - adjacent to Oxford Street you know! - alongside experts such as Jonathan Hobbs, Jonathan Kay and Phil Donaldson.

But I guarantee they won't be given an easy time of it. This will be a no 'fence-sitting' programme with lively debate and conversation the order of the day. But we will also be inviting you to get involved with interacton via Twitter (@ddarrellw), Facebook, e-mail etc.

And while we obviously want you to watch, the plan is also to get you to go
greyhound racing with plenty of free tickets, restaurant offers etc not to mention competitions to ensure you feel an integral part of the programme.

Longer term there are lots of other exciting ideas floating around including live interviews, tipping challenges and the like and I'm sure we'll be out and about with live broadcasts from the tracks in due course as well.

But what we do and how we do it will, of course, depend on what you would like to see. So as well as watching we also trust you'll communicate. After all, there have been a lot of people asking for more regular live greyhound racing for a very long time!

Here are a few tips to get the ball rolling, where I'm concentrating on the Essex Vase semi-finals at Romford.

In fact after last week's stunning heat victory I suggest not only backing Westmead Maldini for his heat (20:34) but also to win the competition at 4.9. Nick Savva's charge, beaten the minimum margin in the Champion Stakes in September, has suddenly found a pair of trapping boots, but even if he did happen to get slightly held up early on, can still prove too classy for his rivals.

Romeo Patrol (21:06) looks ideally drawn as the lone wide seed outside rails seeking Judicial Academy and after running riot in a rapid 3490 just before the competition is another strong selection.

Hugo You Go, another Champion Stakes finalist, can also claim victory and place in next Wednesday's final (live on Sky Sports) in the 20:50 race with the combination of superior early pace and an excellent draw up against five railers, giving him obvious credentials.

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Barnsley v Ipswich
I know Christmas is around the corner but, seriously? Are the layers already in the festive spirit offering us 2.1 to back Barnsley? Only Cardiff sit above the Tykes in the current form table, with Keith Hill's side having won five of their last six to climb from 19th to eighth in the table. They have been particularly strong at Oakwell, winning their last five and conceding just two goals in the process.

Ipswich are at the opposite end of the form table to their hosts, having lost all of their last seven games. Defensively they have been a shambles, conceding a whopping 20 goals during that losing run. Even going ahead does little to help the Tractor Boys; they have led in three of their last four games and still managed to lose. Paul Jewell's side have the worst defensive record in the division, and to be able to back a Barnsley team that is clearly on the crest of a wave at the moment at the price available is far too good to be turned down.

Back Barnsley @ 2.1


Burnley v Portsmouth
It's not with quite the same degree of surprise that I point you towards Burnley's price as I do towards Barnsley's, but I am still reasonably gobsmacked that the Clarets are available to back at bigger than even-money. Quite simply, Portsmouth are always worth opposing away from home. The South Coast side have not won on their travels this season, and have lost six of their nine away fixtures. Add in results from the end of last season, and Pompey have won just one of their last 16 games away from Fratton Park. So, any time Pompey are on the road, it's worth considering a punt on the team hosting them, unless they are in dire form - and Burnley aren't. Quite the opposite of late.

The Clarets were impressive 2-1 winners at West Ham last weekend, making it three successive victories for Eddie Howe's side. Burnley have already shown no mercy to struggling sides at Turf Moor, trouncing both Ipswich (4-0) and Forest (5-1). I can't promise they'll romp home so easily this weekend, but again, they have to be backed at the price on offer.

Back Burnley @ 2.08


Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace
When Steve Cotterill took over at The City Ground in mid-October, it was supposed to herald the start of their move up the table and away from a potential relegation scrap. It hasn't quite worked out that way. Forest were 21st in the table when he arrived, they are 22nd now.

Cotterill's first 10 games in charge have brought just four wins but six defeats, and they have lost their last three on the trot. However, there is some mitigation for that last stat when you bear in mind that trio of matches was against the teams sitting third, fifth, and seventh in the table. Prior to that, they had won four of six. They are certainly anything but out of the mire, but faced with a Crystal Palace team in far less good form than the three sides they have just faced means they have a chance to claim a very important victory.

With two games against Cardiff between them and a trip to Wembley, it would be hard for Palace not to be distracted - but it's not as if their league form was in good shape before they beat Man Utd in the Carling Cup quarter-final. The Eagles have not won a league game in seven attempts and have scored a meagre two goals during that run. They have lost each of their last three away games - I think Forest will extend that sequence and ease their own worries.

Back Nottm Forest @ 2.0

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Oaks final 21:45

T1 Boher Princess
Litter-sister to Eclipse third Boher Paddy and Charlie Lister's second string here. She broke better from trap one in the semi-final but moved off and could cause problems for Spinkys Nod if doing the same again. In career best form but would need a big lead to beat these.

T2 Spinkys Nod
Only unbeaten finalist and could hardly be in better form after her seasonal rest. Beat big rival Silverview Perky on merit in the semis but will need to trap again from a less favourable draw and avoid middle moving trap one if she's to take the big prize.

T3 Droopys Aretha
Has done well to reach this stage having only debuted in September, but looks up against it and may struggle to get a run in between early paced rivals.

T4 Droopys Loner
Another relative newcomer but makes much more appeal having won in both quarter and semi-finals, both from this draw. Looks to be improving rapidly and a good mix of middle pace and stamina gives her outside chances.

T5 Silverview Perky
Bids to give Charlie Lister a first Oaks success and can trap better to reverse semi-final form with Spinkys Nod given her more advantageous draw. Still only a puppy (Jan '10 whelp), she was only four spots outside the clock in the quarter-finals and could prove top class.

T6 Thurlesbeg Bound
A second finalist for Seamus Cahill (also has Droopys Aretha), and like her kennelmate has yet to win in the competition. A strong-running bitch, she can stay on to claim minor spoils.

Verdict:
Silverview Perky can fill in a rare blank on Charlie Lister's CV and ensure he remains in the hunt to be Trainer of the Year. Still only a puppy, she was somewhat surprisingly turned over by Spinkys Nod in the semis, but had got within half a length of Taylor Sky's track-record in the previous round and looks far better drawn than her rival who may struggle to avoid Lister's other runner Boher Princess on the run up. Droopys Loner has a bit to find but is improving quickly, while Thurlesbeg Bound could stay on for a share of the spoils.


19:40 480m
On a mouth-watering card this is undoubtedly the trickiest race of the night and any selection is only made tentatively. That said Droopys Steve beat a decent bunch of puppies at Yarmouth on Saturday, and while a trial would have been a plus may have improved ahead of his rivals.

20:00 Marathon
Capoley Ash, back at Wimbledon where he was Leger runner-up, can restore his edge over Ayamzagirl, who he had beaten three times before she surprisingly turned him over at Nottingham last week after poaching an early lead.

20:15 480m
Derby semi-finalist Destroy The Camp will relish the return to Wimbledon, especially as the only wide seed from his favoured trap six box and rates a solid selection against a field of front-running rivals.

20:35 Sprint
Lil Risky, in hot form in the National Sprint at Nottingham on Monday, beat Jimmy Lollie on his only previous start here in October and can follow up from a favoured trap one draw.

20:50 Hurdles
Irish National winner Olivers Twist will probably prove popular but veteran Plane Daddy has been expertly campaigned this year and can make it eight wins from his last 12 over CD.

21:10 Stayers
Leger semi-finalist Skywalkershearer has fared well in the draw outside railer Express Trend and looks a good bet to make it five wins in six over this 687m trip.

21:25 480m
What a race! Irish Laurels winner Razldazl Rioga posted a first class trial last week and will doubtless be a big player if getting out, but Eclipse third Boher Paddy has a string of fast times around here and is hard to oppose.

Recommended Bets
Skywalkershearer 21:10
Capoley Ash 20:00
Destroy The Camp 20:15
Lil Risky 20:35   
Boher Paddy 21:25
Silverview Perky 21:45

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The semi-final exit of series eight's one shining light Misha B has left the X Factor with its least inspiring final, pitting predictable Marcus Collins against already-eliminated-once Amelia Lily and don't-want-to-be-perfect girl band Rhythmix. No wonder this year's winner is 3.0 to secure the usually guaranteed Christmas number one. The absence of a standout star makes it a tough final to call, but the Betfair Contrarian is certain that the surprise favourites are a lay at 2.16. Here's why...

Groups never win
Some of the most successful acts to have been produced by the X Factor are groups - think G4, JLS, Jedward and One Direction - but despite the show regularly delivering in that department, none of them have ever earned the right to challenge for top spot in the festive charts. Five have been deemed talented enough - or at least entertaining enough in the case of Same Difference - to reach the final three, however not one has triumphed and JLS are the only ones in the last six series to have even finished second. Girl groups find it even harder to gain the required amount of support in the latter stages, with Rhythmix the first ever all-female finalists.

Tulisa has nothing left to give
"There is only one record contract in this competition. If people want to hear your music released after the show, they need to pick up the phone and vote for you. I'll say it again. I want the Geordies to vote, I want Essex to vote, I want High Wycombe to vote. These girls are not safe." So yelled Rhythmix mentor Tulisa in a bizarre table-thumping take on Churchill after their semi-final efforts failed to convince comically unsubtle schemer Gary Barlow. It did the trick on that occasion, yet how can she possibly top that this weekend? Her whole campaign for votes has been to paint Rhythmix as the new face of girl power and sufferers of the same insecurities as the average female viewer, yet it has been conducted so transparently that their popularity has probably peaked too soon. Arguably their performances have too...

They slipped up in the semi-finals
Tulisa's hand-hurting routine partially hid that her "little muffins" were weak in the semi-finals, with their renditions of You Keep Me Hanging On and If I Were a Boy underwhelming and Leigh-Anne appearing to forget a line in the former. They haven't actually been that impressive throughout the series, with a few exceptions like Beautiful in the quarter-finals, their success owing more to what they are seen to represent. Prior to week four, when their VT saw Jesy open up about online abuse surrounding her weight, they were rated no-hopers and even traded at 150.00. They reacted to last week's criticism by saying: "We don't want to be perfect because then there's nothing to learn. We've still got the final yet." The reality is that it's too near the end to be a work in progress.

Amelia is ready to complete her journey
The signs were there last weekend as sole impartial judge, Louis Walsh, gave his backing to Amelia, who has started throwing iconic X Factor term "journey" into every interview, that it is her who the producers would like to see prevail. Betfair punters appear to have picked up on it too, as the 17-year-old has pushed past Marcus in to 3.55, and there is much media speculation about why her winner's single was the first made available to pre-order on HMV. Incentive to vote is provided by the fact that she was initially sent home by Kelly Rowland, seemingly the least popular of the mentors, having also been accused of favouring Misha B over her other acts. Further sympathy is built by rumours that her preparations for the final are being compromised by a bout of laryngitis.

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Match Odds

Basel need to win to qualify for the last 16. Manchester United must only draw to make the knockout phase and need to win and see Benfica drop points in the group's other game to claim top spot.

United suffered one of the shocks of the group stage when they could only draw 3-3 at home to Basel the first time the sides met, but I can't see Sir Alex Ferguson's side making the same mistakes again. Their backs are against the wall and, in these situations, United normally come through.

United's price of 1.66 is more tempting than Basel at 6.6 or the draw at 3.9. United's away form in this competition is another reason to back the visitors: they have won 16 and lost just one of their last 25 Champions League away games.

Over / Under 2.5 Goals
We've seen United run up comfortable winning scorelines against outsiders (according to the market) on so many European nights down the years, but the stats suggest that under 2.5 goals might be the smart bet. Basel look likely to concede at least once if you look at their recent European record - they've kept just one clean sheet in their last 16 European games - and United have an excellent away defensive record, suggesting the overall goals count could be low. United have conceded in just one of their last eight games on the road in this competition, so I favour under 2.5 goals at 2.1 rather than overs at 1.87.

Man Utd to win to nil
United's excellent defensive record on the road in this competition means you ought to consider the visitors to win to nil at 2.92 if you're looking for a bigger price than the 1.66 on United simply to win. That price looks too big.

An alternative would be to back Man Utd -1.0 on the Asian handicap at 2.07. That way, you'll get your stakes back if United win by a single goal, and make a profit if they win by two goals or more.

Recommended Bets
Best Bet: Man Utd to win to nil @ 2.92.
Other Recommended Bet: Under 2.5 goals @ 2.07.

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Girl groups never win the X Factor, do they? Well, if the Betfair market is right that's what will happen on Sunday night...

Betfair customers make girl group Little Mix the likely winners of Sunday's X Factor final.

But in a tight betting heat Tulisa Contostavlos's young charges are given a less than 50% chance of winning the much-coveted prize at odds of 2.18.

Second favourite of the three remaining acts is, controversially enough, Amelia Lily. The 16-year-old singer was parachuted into the show midway through the series to replace disgraced Frankie Cocozza, despite being sent home by mentor Kelly Rowland in week one's big twist.

The 'outsider' in the betting is Gary Barlow's last remaining hope Marcus Collins. A long time favourite, Collins has slipped from a low of 2.32 to his current price of 3.95.

However, given the undoubted talent the Scouser possesses he could be the main mover in the betting on the final weekend if he serves up his best stuff.

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Chelsea

The Blues have made the knockout stages of the Champions League eight years in a row. Their place in this season's last 16 is in doubt, however: a defeat or a scoring draw at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night would eliminate them.

Andre Villas-Boas' men were impressive in beating Newcastle 3-0 at the weekend. In particular, Didier Drogba might now keep Fernando Torres out of the starting lineup for this game. Juan Mata is very much more likely to start against his countrymen. Villas-Boas' only injury problem is the usual one - Michael Essien.

Valencia

Ever Banega, Valencia's highly skilled passing midfielder, is injured. Tino Costa is an able deputy, but the Argentinean will be missed. Victor Ruiz, the centreback, is Unai Emery's other injury doubt.

The coach rested star striker Roberto Soldado, who Opta reports has the best goals-to-minutes ratio in this season's competition, and attacking midfielder Jonas during the weekend's win over Espanyol, so they at least should be raring to go.

Match Odds

On English soil, Valencia are draw specialists (W1-D9-L4). A goalless stalemate would not be good enough for Emery's team, but a scoring draw is perhaps their most realistic target.

Chelsea have scored seven unanswered goals in the Champions League at Stamford Bridge this season. Genk, of course, are not in Valencia's class, but the Blues are W10-D1-L0 at home in the group stages since the Spaniards' last trip in 2007, when they left with a goalless draw.

Chelsea had already qualified for the knockout stages at the time of that game - and that was also the case in the only subsequent game they've failed to win (a 2-2 draw with APOEL Nicosia in 2009.

With such a strong record of winning when they need to, the Blues are the pick at 1.79.

Over/Under 2.5 Goals

Seven of Chelsea's last 11 group-stage home games have produced at least three goals. Over 2.5 Goals is slightly favoured at 1.94, but should it be more fancied?

Both teams need a result. Valencia need to score. Chelsea might stroll to victory if Villas-Boas attacks as usual; they will be on a tightrope if he plays for a goalless draw against a team that has scored 11 times in their last three matches.

Recommended Bet: Back Chelsea to win @ 1.79

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Talking to Kay Dyson the other day brought home just how long it has been since Tottenham won the league. Her husband Terry, who remains the only player to have scored a hat-trick for Spurs against Arsenal, was a member of Bill Nicholson's double-winning side, but unsurprisingly few are old enough to truly remember either his achievements or those of that 1960/61 vintage. Sadly, many of the players themselves are struggling on that front. "Some of the old double-winners still do signings and that," said Dyson, "but unfortunately there are only a few left now that still have all their faculties intact".

Hopefully for Spurs fans, they will soon no longer have to delve back into the black and white archives of Danny Blanchflower, Dave Mackay and Cliff Jones or turn to the fading memories of the diminishing survivors of yesteryear to relive the glory days, because under Harry Redknapp's remarkably transformed side, glory is beckoning on the horizon.

The north Londoners are sitting pretty in third place after winning six successive top-flight fixtures for the first time in the Premier League. Indeed, since being trounced 5-1 by Manchester City in late August they have won nine of their last ten league matches, dropping just two points during that extraordinary sequence.

With unstoppable City, who are now just 1.74 to win the league, and crisis club Chelsea (who are now out to 16.0) stealing the limelight in recent weeks, little heed has been paid to the perennial underachievers who are quietly creeping up on the inside rail. But Spurs are just two points behind Manchester United, seven points off the Premier League summit and now 19.0 to do what Chelsea did in Jose Mourinho's first season at Stamford Bridge and win their first title in 50 years.

What Redknapp has achieved at Tottenham has been nothing short of miraculous. It seems surreal to consider that when he took over in October 2008 Spurs were four points adrift at the bottom of the Premier League and seemingly destined for a relegation dogfight. Indeed the 64-year-old's impact at White Hart Lane has not been dissimilar to that of Nicholson, who became manager in October 1958 with the club only a point clear of the bottom three. Three years later they had won the championship and FA Cup with a side playing free-flowing football. For omen seekers, Spurs are 12.0 to win the FA Cup.

This Tottenham also play exciting football and with Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon both fit, they can push and run with the best of them. Last season the Welshman won the PFA Player of the Year award with seven goals to his name - after 13 games he already has five and we all know that the 22-year-old is more than about just goals.

On the other flank Lennon has also made an impact since returning from a lengthy injury absence - and although there can only be limited value in judging Saturday's recent performance against ten-man Bolton, Lennon's goal, which stemmed from a Bolton corner reflects just how lethal this side can be on the counterattack. strong>Kyle Walker, who has injected pace, dynamism and attacking verve at right-back, picked up the ball in his own area, and within ten seconds Spurs had the ball in the net at the other side.

Redknapp loathes his reputation for being a wheeler dealer but there is no question that his summer transfer business was exemplary. As well as recognising Walker was ready for the Premier League, Emmanuel Adebayor's arrival was a shrewd loan signing. It was a brave move to swoop for a man with an Arsenal past and a reputation for destabilising dressing rooms, yet the former Real Madrid striker has already plundered seven goals in 11 matches - and City are even paying half his wages.

Brad Friedel has also brought assuredness, experience and reliability that had been sorely lacking in goal, but the best signing of them all was unquestionably that of Scott Parker. The England man's dogged determination in closing down opponents, his relentless pursuit of the ball his and die-hard midfield diligence has been an inspiration to his team-mates. At £5m he has been the bargain of the decade, let alone the year, and a lesson to those managers that feared he could not step back up from the Championship.

Alongside these excellent acquisitions Tottenham's decision to keep hold of Luka Modrić has also been rewarded. If Spurs do no other business in January - although a move for Gary Cahill would shore up their only remaining weakness - they should focus their resources on tying the gifted playmaker to a new deal. Money aside, Modrić can no longer be regretting having not moved to Chelsea now. Unlike, the Blues, Spurs look like they are on the brink of something special.

The Lilywhites will have a better idea of whether his side are or not on 22 December when they face Chelsea at home, but if as expected they go out of the Europa League and United reach the Champions League knockout stage, Tottenham will fancy their chances of at least finishing second 5.4 in the league. Redknapp certainly does, and full credit to him for admitting as much.

"I didn't say we would win the league, I just said it's not impossible and it's not impossible," he said yesterday.

"It's not impossible for Liverpool to win it, for Arsenal to win it, and it's not impossible for us to win it."

Kay and Terry Dyson are just two of those Tottenham fans hoping he is right.

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