PREMIER LEAGUE football is back on the menu this weekend and Willie Duncan (@Willie_Duncan) explores the value in Saturday's early kick-off from White Hart Lane.
Tottenham v West Brom | Saturday 12:30 | Sky Sports 1
Who doesn't love an FA Cup third round upset?
West Brom, apparently; the Baggies were 1-0 up at half-time at the Hawthorns against Championship side Derby, but second half goals from Darren Bent and Tom Ince saw Tony Pulis' team tumble out of the competition.
West Brom, then, will be desperate to make amends for that defeat when the Premier League resumes this weekend, but the Baggies face one of the toughest fixtures on the card these days – a trip to take on Tottenham.
Mauricio Pochettino's men have yet to be beaten at White Hart Lane this season and, given that Spurs have now chalked up six successive victories in all competitions, it'd be a brave punter to back the Baggies this weekend.
West Brom won at Southampton in their final fixture of 2016, but Pulis' men have a ropey record on the road, while Spurs have been absolutely superb at the Lane lately.
Solid Spurs
The hosts have dropped just two points from their last eight Premier League matches on home soil and, in fact, Spurs have conceded just one goal in their last four games at home in the league.
Defensively, then, Pochettino's team are rock solid; indeed, the north Londoners have conceded fewer goals than any other side in the top flight.
Spurs' success, though, cannot be attributed entirely to their watertight defence; Tottenham certainly know the way to goal, for they have scored 25 goals in their last nine matches.
That does not bode well for the Baggies; West Brom have won just two of their last 10 away games in all competitions and, given that Spurs are in sublime form, it would be a major surprise should the visitors improve upon that record in this game.
The betting angle
It's tempting to back solid Spurs to shut out the visitors, for Pochettino's men have managed to do just that in six of their 10 league games at the Lane so far this season.
Better value, though, lies in backing Spurs (-1) in the handicap market.
That particular play would have landed in five of Tottenham's last six games and, at even-money (Paddy Power) it is worthy of support again ahead of this match.
Best Bets
Tottenham v West Brom – Tottenham -1 handicap (1/1 Paddy Power)
