Betting Update; Tottenham v Arsenal with the bookmakers making Spurs their 6/4 favourites

By the time bitter rivals Tottenham and Arsenal meet at White Hart Lane on Wednesday in their Carling Cup first-leg semi-final both sides will know who they will face in the final at the end of February.

[ClickPress, Mon Jan 22 2007] This is because of the intensive fixture programme around the last month and the fact Arsenal’s quarter-final game with Liverpool was called of the first time round. Other semi-finalists Chelsea and Wycombe are one game ahead in these two-legged semi-finals and despite being held to a draw by the League Two side it will be a major surprise if The Blues don’t make it to Cardiff.

So, not that Spurs and Arsenal need an incentive to get up for a match against one another, but by also meeting current Premiership champions Chelsea and London neighbours in the final will add to the prize of these games.

As we all know Arsene Wenger has openly stated his low priority for this competition and has left it mainly to his young guns to get him this far. In past years his second strings have done alright, but if we are to learn anything from this seasons crop it’s that Arsenal probably have the best set of young players coming through the ranks than any of the big four. However, a game against their arch rivals Spurs might just make Wenger re-think his starting strategy.

At present the Gunners are by far the form side in the Premiership having deposed of Liverpool twice and then performing an amazing fight back to see off league leaders Manchester United last Sunday. The squad should still be buzzing from that weekend win with captain Thierry Henry really lifting the club in the last few weeks. Since his return their French figure-head has looked a 100% different player since his poor start to the season and to me could have excellent claims, if he continues in this form, to land the World Player of the Year.

Arsenal have won their last five games, including three on the road, and scored a massive 17 times in that run and with Henry netting in four of their last four at around 11/2 to score first and 6/4 anytime if he lines up he looks a must in the scoring markets.

Tottenham have made hard work in getting this far, after needing an extra-time winner over Championship strugglers Southend in the last round, and on that form with a 6/4 match odds quote they are worth taking on in my book. Throw in the fact that they have lost their last two home league games (Newcastle and Liverpool), and drawn three of their last five it further adds to the lack of confidence I have in backing Spurs at those odds.

Berbatov and Defoe, with the service of Lennon, look at times unstoppable and can cause damage to any defence, but the team as a whole has a very inconsistent look this season, being brilliant one week and then dreadful a few days later.

It’s advised to keep your ear to the ground on any team news regarding Arsenal and due to the unknown strength in their starting eleven they can be backed at around 15/8. To me Wenger looks sure to include a bigger selection of his star names, either on the bench or to start, and at that price they look cracking value. Recent head-to-heads supply me with more confidence as you have to trawl back to November 1999 to find Spurs’ last win over Arsenal. That run stretches back fifteen games with Arsenal winning nine and drawing six.

Of the other markets Arsenal in the handicap market with a +1 goal start might appeal to the more cautious punters at around 8/15, but this looks certain to return a profit even at skinny odds, while at 11/10 Arsenal to score the first goal also is of interest after doing this four times in their last five games.


Recommended Bets

Arsenal to win 15/8
Arsenal to score first
Henry (if he starts) to score 6/4

* All prices correct at time of writing.

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