In-form Willie Duncan (@Willie_Duncan) is off to White Hart Lane in search of a winner in the Tottenham v Middlesbrough match.
Tottenham v Middlesbrough | Saturday 17:30 | BT Sport 1
Tottenham’s trip to face Sunderland at Stadium of Light produced something of a surprise.
It wasn't that Mauricio Pochettino's team had to settle for a share of the spoils against the Black Cats that raised eyebrows – although the Londoners were expected to win – but the fact that Spurs failed to find the net.
Prior to Tuesday's stalemate, Spurs had scored more than once in 11 of their previous 12 matches and Pochettino's charges had scored four goals in four of their previous six victories in all competitions.
Home comforts
Scoring goals, therefore, has rarely been a problem for Spurs and their record at home is superb; the capital club have notched no fewer than 28 goals in their last nine home matches, conceding just once in their last five league games on home soil.
Furthermore, Spurs have yet to be beaten at White Hart Lane this term – a sequence of results that now stretches to a hugely impressive 14 games, with Tottenham coming out on top in each of their last eight domestic fixtures at home.
None of that, I fancy, will make particularly pleasant reading for Aitor Karanka's team ahead of their trip on Saturday evening.
Shot-shy Boro
Memories of Middlesbrough's win against Sunderland on the Black Cats' own patch in tetchy Tees-Wear Derby back in August may still give Boro backers a warm glow, but their record on the road since has been absolutely appalling.
Indeed, the team from Teesside have now gone 11 games without a win on their travels and they haven't even managed to score a goal in three of their last four away days in the Premier League.
Middlesbrough are just two points clear of the dreaded drop zone now and their inability to score goals is a huge negative, with Boro’s paltry total of 19 league goals fewer than any other team in the top tier – even Sunderland have scored more often!
The betting angle
Shot-shy Boro, therefore, look certain to struggle against Spurs and the 20/21 (Boylesports) quote on offer for Pochettino's team to win without conceding look like excellent value.
Spurs have won ‘to nil’ on no fewer than nine occasions at home so far this season and they should be snapped up at 20/21 to make it a perfect 10 against Middlesbrough this weekend.
Best Bets
Tottenham v Middlesbrough – Tottenham to win ‘to nil’ (20/21 Boylesports)
