Premier League: Table-Topping Clash Will Be An Emotional Occasion

Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur

A Premier League top of the table clash to savour, the winners of which are likely to have the honour of being top on Christmas Day.

Only goal difference separates reigning champions, Liverpool, from midweek visitors to Anfield, Spurs,

It simply could not be tighter as Jose Mourinho brings his well-drilled north London table-toppers to Merseyside looking to an end a miserable run for the club in this fixture.

 

Talking Points

Regardless of the result and any Premier League highlights, it is going to be an emotional night.

That’s after today’s tragic passing of former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier, a very good manager and an honourable man who will be remembered fondly and who was responsible for bringing the club success after a spell in the doldrums in the 1990s.

Upon his passing, tributes poured in for the Frenchman, including a fitting eulogy by respected football writer Henry Winter, and he will, no doubt, be remembered before kick-off.

Once the match begins, Liverpool will be looking to turn the screw on opponents in the same manner as they have to Wolves and Leicester City in recent weeks – performances and scorelines which underline their position as title favourites.

Spurs, of course, have also turned on the style and seen off, amongst others, Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal – convincingly too.

Their progress was checked by a late equaliser conceded at Crystal Palace on Sunday. as was Liverpool’s upward direction as they had to settle for a point at newly-promoted Fulham.

While this Spurs squad is, arguably, weaker central defensively than it was three years ago, it’s rare that a team managed by master tactician such as Mourinho is anything but a tough nut to crack.

Central defence is Liverpool’s main concern right now and, if Joel Matip does not pass a fitness test – boss Jurgen Klopp is hopeful he will – it could see a youngster drafted into the starting line-up, or indeed club captain Jordan Henderson who played the second half of the draw with Fulham at the back.

Regardless of who is paired together at the back, the home side will be well aware of the deadliest front duo in Europe on current form.

Son Heung-Min and Harry Kane have combined for 12 of Tottenham’s 24 Premier League goals so far in 2020-21 – only Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton in 1994-95 linked up for more in a single season (13) and there are still five months of this campaign remaining!

In the dugout, Klopp and Mourinho had some ding-dong battles (including a Champions League semi-final) during their time as managers of Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid respectively.

They may be around for some time to come yet, too.

Klopp has committed his future to Liverpool until 2024, whereas Mourinho has spoken in recent days of desire to manage for a long time to come and, if he can continue the level of progress made in recent months in the long-term, another glorious chapter could yet be written in Spurs’ illustrious history.

In my view, these two are the best managers in the Premier League. So, could this fixture trigger the start of a newly established rivalry in English football?

Certainly, it’s all set to be an occasion when the entertainment matches the high stakes.

 

History

Two of the established big names of English football but the roll of honour tally between the clubs – in terms of actual trophies – is reflected in the head-to-head meeting stats.

Liverpool have beaten Spurs 85 times compared to the north Londoners who have tasted victory on 48 occasions. Forty-two meetings have ended in a draw.

Their very first meeting came in the old Division One in 1909 when a player by the name of Herbert Middlemiss scored the only goal in a Spurs victory.

Liverpool have really had the upper hand in recent years with Spurs only winning one of their past 17 contests – a 4-1 triumph in 2017.

That, of course, included the 2019 Champions League Final and both league matches last season.

Liverpool won the corresponding fixture at Anfield 2-1 thanks to goals from Henderson and a Mo Salah penalty, after Kane had given Spurs an early lead.

The return fixture saw Roberto Firmino net the only goal last January as the Merseysiders closed in on their first-ever Premier League title.

 

Betting Tip

	Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur	Total Goals 2-3 @ 2.04
	December 17, 04:00 (GMT+8)

The SBOTOP Premier League betting odds make Liverpool massive favourites. You can bet on them 1X2 @ 1.72 or Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 1.95, with Spurs adrift 1X2 @ 4.70 and Asian Handicap + 0.75 @ 1.98.

A re-run of last season’s meeting – correct score 2-1 – is available @ 7.00 and a 1X2 draw will payout @ 3.60.

I do expect a few goals in a match between the top two and there are various bets to consider, including over 3.00 goals @ 2.08, total goal 0-1 @ 4.50 and 2-3 @ 2.04 – the latter is my *** bet.

Attractive odds are also available with Double Chance Spurs or Draw @ 2.03.

A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR () BETS ARE WORTH:
= €20 (Highly confident)	= €10 (CONFIDENT)	= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)

Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.

 

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