Spurs’ Premier League title price is huge all things considered
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With Manchester City making it a perfect 10 for the season at Swansea and Liverpool’s lust for goals hogging the early Premier League title talk, a certain team from north London won’t mind a bit.
Not Arsenal, whose own title stealth was shattered thanks to the Gunners making mincemeat of Chelsea in the televised Saturday evening kick-off, rather Tottenham and their serene progress which has stayed blissfully hype-free.
Has Manchester City’s metal actually been tested?
Unlike Pep Guardiola’s 4/7 favourites, who’ve garnered 15 of their 18 points courtesy of the bottom four sides and Bournemouth in 15th, Mauricio Pochettino’s men have already pitted wits against three of the present top seven, going unbeaten against Liverpool, Everton and Crystal Palace for half of their 14 points.
Spurs are the only other undefeated side in the table, yet City’s nearest challengers to date are a humongous 18/1 to claim the laurels, with Liverpool at 11/2, Arsenal 17/2 and Manchester United installed at 10/1.
Searching for legitimate reasons why the Lilywhites should be so long, other than the obvious 50-year drought in claiming England’s top prize, are fairly difficult to come by.
People have short memories
The manner in which Pochettino’s men ran out of gas in pursuit of Leicester last term is clearly food to feed the Spurs doubters with, though it is worth recalling that no other side applied any genuine pressure to the Foxes post Christmas.
It’s arguable that this hugely talented group of young, hungry players which had lacked the nous to get over the line in 2015/16 are far richer for the experience of that brush with glory.
Tottenham have come back stronger
Not only did Tottenham hold on to all their big names this summer, they were able to strengthen in key areas too.
Shrewd signings have become a hallmark of Pochettino’s time in England and the White Hart Lane engine room received a face lift with the arrival of long-term target Victor Wanyama, while Holland international striker Victor Janssen now provides the required relief to Harry Kane.
The addition of Moussa Sissoko, albeit for a hefty fee, also negates the exit of Nacer Chadli to West Brom.
There is a feel good factor at the club
Son Heung-min’s fine fettle in Kane’s absence through injury is a demonstration of the depth of squad now assembled at the Lane.
Defensively the Lilywhites are the most robust so far, only conceding three goals in six league tussles, with Belgians Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld arguably the most accomplished central pairing in the division.
If their was ever a marker of belief in Pochettino’s Spurs project, it’s the announcement of new contracts for many of the leading lights, including Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen, Eric Dier, Kyle Walker and Danny Rose, so early in the campaign.
City are next on the menu
After midweek European duties, the acid test arrives when Guardiola brings his City slickers for a Sunday showdown at White Hart Lane. If Spurs do puncture the Spaniard’s bubble, expect that 18/1 about their title chances to evaporate along with it.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
