Another heavyweight bout at Wembley
The Premier League returns with a bang as Liverpool travel South in pursuit of a fifth successive league win to sustain their flying start. Spurs meanwhile will hope to get back on track having been halted by this season’s surprise package in Watford.
Spurs
They were winning games early on without necessarily playing well so it was no surprise to see Mauricio Pochettino’s side eventually succumb to defeat. But while he would have been angered at some of his side’s defending at Watford and will be frustrated at Alli and Lloris being ruled out of such a big game, you sense everything is under control under the Argentinian.
Spurs are in very good shape
Kane and Moura are showing signs of a flourishing partnership developing, Eriksen is off the mark for the season after starring for Denmark in the Nations League and Son is available once more following his Asia Games exploits with South Korea - Spurs are in very good shape in my opinion.
Yet, the bookies aren’t convinced that Spurs can respond to a defeat with a victory against an opponent to have made such a barnstorming start, pricing them as clear outsiders. This is despite Spurs being undefeated at home to Liverpool since 2014 and recording a comprehensive 4-1 victory in the corresponding fixture last year.
Liverpool
Liverpool look like they mean business this season - four wins from four says everything about their intentions this term. Positivity flows through the side with the calmness of Van Dijk in defence, a rejuvenated Wijnaldum in midfield and the electricity of Mane in attack. Even their options from the bench can’t be sniffed at these days, they appear the real deal.
Liverpool will eventually drop points
Regardless of all this, we’ve been there before with Liverpool, who let’s not forget topped the league after 35 games in 2013-14, only to finish second. I find it hard to believe they’re such firm favourites especially when you consider recent meetings between the two sides which has seen four draws in the last six fixtures overall.
As has been the case with most of the top sides, Liverpool will eventually drop points and I can see Spurs being the team to stop them in their tracks, especially with the Champions League opener against PSG on Tuesday evening likely to enter Jurgen Klopp’s thoughts at some point in the match.
Match Tip
I feel Spurs have been largely underestimated for this clash so I intend to take full advantage. Backing the hosts to take at least a point on the Double Chance feels like a nice half-guarantee to sit on. Adding both teams to score into the equation, a scenario to have played out in four of the last six meetings, gives odds of 7/5 (2.40) with Betway, surely a winning combination!
