Aleksandr the Meerkat
My Thoughts
Spurs are on something of a roll right now. Two defeats against top 4 sides notwithstanding, they have a 100% record this season, with their latest win coming in the Carling Cup, 5-1 away at Preston, a match in which a Peter Crouch hat-trick very nearly destroyed our very reality. Next to (OK, below) Crouch is Jermain Defoe, the Aleksandr the Meerkat to Crouch's BFG, who has been scoring goals for club and country this season as if it's going out of fashion.
Burnley, meanwhile, have fitted most of the "smaller club promoted to Premier League" stereotypes; hyperactive young manager, attacking football, great home record, backed by a fervent crowd, but dreadful away. 9 points from their opening 3 home games? Perfect. 0 points (and 0 goals) from their opening 3 away games? Room for improvement methinks, particularly after Tuesday's 3-2 Carling Cup defeat at Barnsleh.
The Verdict
Expect to see Harry Redknapp whingeing about his total lack of centre-backs for this game- injuries to Dawson, Woodgate, King (again) and Bassong mean that Vedran Corluka and Tom "Pudding" Huddlestone are likely to play together at centre-back. However, Burnely themselves have injury worries, with striker Martin Paterson likely to be out for some time, and keeper Brian "Tubs" Jensen doubtful. Given Spurs' general good form, and Burnley's lack of away form, expect a home win.
The Bet
Tottenham are likely to be too short to back outright with any real value (apologies, readers- this writer is currently at work and therefore unable to access gambling sites. Prices will follow), but Crouch and Defoe both surely must be considered as anytime scorers. Over 2.5 goals is also worth a look, after these two sides' epic ding-dongs in the Carling Cup last year
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