Ask anyone if Blackpool would have been 10th in the table having played 7 games and you’d have been laughed out of town. Blackpool have been a revelation this season, playing with verve and enthusiasm and going forward without fear regardless of the opposition, a tactic which many promoted teams could learn from.
They would have liked to have played Tottenham a little earlier in the season – Spurs are unbeaten in their last eight – That said, have only won one game outside London this season in all competitions.
With so many imponderables, maybe 4/7 isn’t too short about both teams to score – Tottenham are up against a side who have kept just one clean sheet in the league this season - The Tangerines have scored two goals in five of their six home matches so far.
The last time I wrote this blog, Chelsea were leading by 5 points and looked set to destroy everyone in their wake. Fast forward a month, They have gone five league matches without a win for the first time since drawing their last five fixtures of the 2006/07 season, have also lost in the Champions League and must face Tottenham, Manchester United and Arsenal over Xmas in a set of games that will likely decide the title.
They face Manchester United at Stamford Bridge today, a game which will have a massive say in where the title goes. It’s a massive factor that this match is being played at Stamford Bridge, and also that they can now choose from a full Squad bar Alex (knee), Benayoun (Achilles), Borini (shoulder) and Bosingwa (hamstring).
They were much improved in performance against Tottenham last time out, in a game they should have won but for Didier Drogba’s penalty miss which augurs well given how hard Tottenham have been to beat at home this year.
Manchester United didn’t have to be good to beat a lacklustre Arsenal, and while they will have to be better to beat Chelsea, both teams are not at their best and Manchester United provide a totally different test, especially of a side that looks fragile to counter attacking, United’ forte.
That why backing the draw appeals so much at 23/10; Chelsea are not value 6/5 shots against Manchester United of all teams, and those odds are implying that Chelsea are at their best, which simply can’t be taken at value – They’ve only taken 6 points from 21 of late, which Manchester United have drawn all but one of their Premier League away games this season.
Recommendations
Both teams to score in Blackpool v Tottenham (4/7 Stan James)
Chelsea and Manchester United to Draw (23/10 General)
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