LeeDixon

Neither team got the result they wanted in midweek but there's little doubt which side looks in better nick coming into the first Premier League game of the weekend.

This is fourth versus fifth and two of London's finest going head-to-head but what looked like being a memorable season for Spurs is turning sour while a campaign that was going off-beam for Chelsea is coming good for the final few months. The Betfair market says this will be a home win and, to be brutally honest, I can't find a reason to disagree with them.

Match Odds
Chelsea have been in decent form under their new manager, albeit with a couple of wins achieved against Championship opposition in the FA Cup. And, though they lost at City from a winning position, going 1-0 up away from home was a positive. They were stepping up a level on recent games and performed OK, not far off picking up a point and possibly more.

Tottenham are now in their sights and a win on Saturday will leave the Blues just two points off their north London rivals - a great position to be in and one they wouldn't have expected a month or so ago.

Spurs are in a slump and it's hard to make a case for them here. The last minute equaliser against Stoke on Wednesday night might be the point that gets them third or more likely fourth at the end of the season, but it won't have felt like that in the dressing room.

I fancy Chelsea to win this game and I think 1.94 is a very fair price for my first bet of the weekend. A plethora of Opta stats back me up - Harry Redknapp has lost his last eight visits to Stamford Bridge as a Premier League boss; Chelsea have lost just one of their last eight Premier League home games; the Blues have won 16 of their 24 matches against Spurs in all competitions.

Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Both Teams to Score
Spurs haven't kept a Premier League clean sheet since beating Newcastle 5-0 back in early February. Chelsea have been a little better with three successive shutouts before conceding twice at City, but there are a few key absences at the back for the home team and I can see both these sides finding the back of the net. Rather than back Overs I prefer the look of backing Both Teams to Score

Penalty Taken
In such a key game I can see players doing their all to get the edge and with neither boasting a full-strength back four the challenges going in might just be a touch wayward. I can see a spot-kick being awarded, and at around 4 it will be a nice payout should it happen!

Recommended Bets
3pts Back Chelsea to win @ 1.94
2pts Back both teams to score @ 1.72
1pt Back yes in penalty taken @ 4.0

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