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Tottenham will look to keep their outstanding league run going this weekend when they come up against a woefully out of form Bolton side desperately seeking for a win to take them clear of the relegation zone.
Harry Redknapp’s side have yet to taste defeat in the Premier League since their thrashing at the hands of Manchester City back in August, a run now stretches to ten games, and in a week where Spurs have been touted as potential league winners the North London outfit will be seeking to take three points from Owen Coyle’s men.
Bolton appeared to have turned a coroner two weeks ago when they handed out a 5-0 thrashing against Stoke to gain revenge for their semi-final humiliation at the hand of the Potters, but since then have recorded back to back defeats against West Brom and Everton to leave them third from bottom and in serious danger of heading into the new year in the bottom three.
Spurs meanwhile will hope to use the game to banish their mid-week disappointment in the Europa League, where a 2-1 defeat at White Hart Lane at the hands of PAOK Salonika left their chances of qualifying for the next stage hanging by a thread.
Redknapp was forced to field a number of his first team regulars in attempt to ensure qualification, a step he would have liked to avoid with a packed run in over the festive period coming up, with Luka Modric, Jermain Defoe and Aaron Lennon all playing 90 minutes while Gareth Bale and Kyle Walker’s mid-week rest was disturbed when they were forced onto the field as substitutes.
While Redknapp will no doubt be focused on securing yet another win that would take their recent points haul to 31 from a possible 33 points on offer over the past three months, the former West Ham and Portsmouth man may opt to cast an eye over Trotters centre back Gary Cahill, a long term transfer target for the north London outfit.
Rafael Van Der Vaart is a real doubt for the game as the influential Dutchman continues to recover from his hamstring injury, with Redknapp likely to opt for Jermain Defoe to play alongside Emmanuel Adebayor if Van Der Vaart fails his fitness test.
Match Winner
Given Totenham’s run of form in the Premier League recently it comes as no surprise that they are the clear favourties to take all three points.
Home advantage also plays in to Spurs’ favour, prompting BetFred to offer odds of 1.33 (1/3) on a home win.
Bolton need points desperately but appear unlikely to come away with any from White hart Lane, with VC Bet placing them at 13.00 (12/1) to spring a surprise. The draw is 5.50 (9/2) with Ladbrokes.
First Goalscorer
With Rafael Van Der Vaart struggling for the game the onus will be on Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor to recreate their successful partnership that helped steer Spurs past West Brom last week.
Bet365 have the Togolese international as favourite to continue his excellent recent goalscoring from, offering odds of 4.75 (15/4). Defoe is the same price with the same bookmaker, while Gareth Bale has proved himself a goal threat recently and is 7.50 (13/2), also with Bet365. Bolton will rely on Ivan Klasnic to get the goals they need to get the win, with Ladbrokes offering 11.00 (10/1) on him opening the scoring.
Recommended Bets
First goalscorer: Gareth Bale, 7.50 (13/2) Bet365
Correct score: Spurs 3-1, 11.00 (10/1) Bet365
