Tottenham v Chelsea: Goals not common in early KOs

The most recent clashes between Tottenham and Chelsea may have been largely high scoring, but a few factors suggest that this meeting at White Hart Lane could prove the complete opposite.

It is no secret that Spurs’ defence has been tighter than a post-Christmas Arsene Wenger so far this season, conceding just once in all competitions on their way to racking up seven wins to nil from eight outings – a repeat of which is available to back at 18/5 with Ladbrokes.

Jose Mourinho’s thriftiness is hardly stop-the-press material either and he proved he hasn’t lost it when he sent his Chelsea charges out to produce a textbook ‘bore the opposition to tears’ performance at Manchester United earlier in the campaign.

These two ingredients aren’t ideal in knocking up a good, goal-filled pie, while the addition of the fact that only one of the early Saturday kick offs this season has yielded over 2.5 goals.

The anomaly was an all-London encounter, as Arsenal ran in a 3-1 win at Fulham’s expense, but the other four duels have seen 1-0 and 2-0 scorelines evenly split.

This makes a punt on under 2.5 strikes registered in this meeting at 4/5 the safest course of action in ensuring a return here.

It’s unquestionable that the home side are in better knick than their cross-town rivals, who have been beaten by Everton and Basel in their last four outings, as well as being unconvincing at home to a hapless Fulham side in their latest league game.

With this in mind, don’t discount the Tottenham win with fewer than 2.5 goals scored at a generously priced 19/4.

If the match betting stakes are a beaten track you don’t wish to veer from, the home team are available at 17/10, as the Blues, while the draw is a 9/4 alternative.

All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date