Tottenham might pose the only serious threat left to the Premier League title that is already for all intents and purposes residing at Stamford Bridge. The Spurs are still a lofty nine points back and have a lot of work to do, and they surely can't afford to lose any points at home against Middlesbrough, a team that could be stricken by immediate relegation after getting promoted last year.
At 12:30 p.m. ET, tune into NBC for live television coverage of this Barclays Premier League match on Saturday, February 4, 2016, at White Hart Lane.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Tottenham -340
Middlesbrough +1050
Draw +450
Over/Under 2.5
Odds Analysis
You'll have to forgive bettors if they're a little gun shy when it comes to betting on favorites this week after so many of them, including Tottenham struggled in the middle of the week. That said, the Spurs have to be huge favorites in this match simply due to the fact that Boro is largely looked upon as one of the weakest teams in the league. Middlesbrough is set at +1050 on the moneyline and is a goal and a half underdog on the Asian Handicap. Still, that price of -340 is incredibly hefty by any standards, and you'd better know what you're doing if you're backing the Spurs in this spot.
Key Injuries
Middlesbrough has come into some potentially devastating injuries of late. Callum Chambers and George Friend are both out for a long period of time with injuries picked up in the last week, and Gaston Ramirez has been out of the side since the middle of January.
Tottenham will be hoping that Danny Rose will be fine to return this weekend after coming off with a knee injury against Sunderland. This team has already been thinned out just a bit with Erik Lamela, Kieran Trippier and Jan Vertonghen all hurt. Hugo Lloris will reportedly be fine after missing the midweek match with Sunderland due to illness.
Recent Form
Tottenham has had a strange last week for sure. The team fell behind lowly Wycombe Wanderers in the fourth round of the FA Cup by two goals before rallying for a 4-3 victory, and that came on the heels of a 2-2 draw against Manchester City. Yet when it came to playing against Sunderland, the team sitting at the foot of the Premier League table, the Spurs couldn't find a way to break the ice, having to leave the Stadium of Light with a disappointing scoreless draw.
Middlesbrough needs everything positive it can get, so a point from West Brom on Tuesday wasn't a great result, but wasn't a terrible one either. Boro is still in the FA Cup after taking care of Accrington last weekend, but this will be the first time the team is out on the road since sluggishly getting through a scoreless draw in a match that could have easily been won at Vicarage Road against Watford on January 14.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
Victor Valdes has had himself a pretty darn good season for Boro in net, and he's going to be crucial in this one. You know that Tottenham is going to want to get off to a good start after a couple sluggish opening halves in a row, and Middlesbrough isn't built to come from behind against these top teams to snare results.
That said, we suggest betting on Tottenham in the first half in this one. You're going to get a far better price on the Spurs in the first 45 minutes than for the match, and we have a feeling that they're going to capitalize with a nice three points thanks to that first half effort.
Barclays Premier League Odds: Tottenham 2, Middlesbrough 0
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