Blackburn Rovers V Tottenham Hotspur Betting – Saturday 19th December

Blackburn Rovers V Tottenham Hotspur

Saturday 19^th December – 15:00 GMT

Blackburn Rovers

League Position: 12th

Recent Form: LDDDL

Sam Allardyce can’t wait to get home as Rovers clearly haven’t enjoyed travelling this season. Tuesday was yet another day to remember for Rovers as they crashed to their seventh away defeat of the campaign. However, they now make the welcomed trip back to Ewood Park in a venue which has produced four victories for Blackburn thus far, and the arrival of Tottenham will hopefully bring about their fifth, although if only it was that simple.

Blackburn are a lot like another team beginning with B. Terrible away from home but when playing in front of a capacity crowd, the pressure shackles appear to come off. Only Man City have beaten Rovers at home this season, but that defeat seems a long way off now, coming on the opening day of the season back in early August. It’s now been nearly four months since their first and only home defeat of the campaign and they haven’t lost in any of their following seven home encounters, recording 4 wins and 3 draws.

On Tuesday night in a game with high flying Birmingham City, Blackburn never really got on terms with their in form opponents. Rovers never got any real foothold in the game and spent pretty much the entirety of the game on the back foot, with Paul Robinson being tested to the full in the Blackburn goal. Despite piling everyone back, Blackburn’s weak looking defence wouldn’t hold out and some sloppy marking sent them to their sixth away defeat of the campaign, although Ryan Nelsen did score a late consolation with 10 minutes to go and despite Blackburn needing to chase the game, Rovers still failed to assert themselves and were fortunate not to see that 2 turn into a 3 for Birmingham.

Fortunately for Rovers fans, they won’t have to endure watching their side play on the road this weekend, although that’s not just as well as their next opponents are Tottenham Hotspur, a side vying for a top four finish and are just as desperate for all three points as they are. Blackburn, though, to their credit have built some solid foundations at home this season and their run of seven games without defeat at Ewood Park make them a tough proposition for any side, as Liverpool found out just a fortnight ago. They are far more compact, yet pose more danger on the attack, which is something they have seriously failed to master on the road this season.

However, despite boasting a seven match unbeaten run at home, Blackburn haven’t managed a goal at home in over 230 minutes of play. On the same token, they haven’t conceded a goal in over 190 minutes, so a positive to go with a huge negative there for all you Blackburn fans. Then again, Blackburn are without a win in their last five outings in the league and it appears to con’s outweigh the pro’s for Rovers.

Tottenham Hotspur

League Position: 5th

Recent Form: WDDLW

After their humiliating 1-0 defeat by Wolves at the weekend, Harry Redknapp got the response he was looking for as his exuberant Spurs side cruised to victory over fellow top four contenders, Man City. Tottenham look by far and away the best side on the night for most of the 90 minutes and were fully deserving of all three points. However, Tottenham are becoming a frustrating team to follow and you’ll need your wits about you if you’re considering a punt on Spurs this weekend at a venue where Blackburn are typically very strong.

Tottenham were very impressive on Wednesday night in a game that was being touted as a match between two top four wannabes. It was Tottenham, though, who put out a signal of intent to those nearby with an efficient performance at White Hart Lane. They were very lively in the attacking third, with Peter Crouch in particular playing very well as did Aaron Lennon down the flank. What impressed us the most, though, was how they kept a rich array of City striking talent quiet for the best part of 70 minutes, and it wasn’t until Mark Hughes introduced Roque Santa Cruz for a disappointing Robinho that City started playing.

That win over City will stand them in good stead ahead of what is a tricky trip to Ewood Park. However, surely if Spurs are to touted as serous Champions League hopefuls they need to beat such opposition as Blackburn Rovers, a team who do nevertheless play very well at home but fall well below the level of quality Spurs have at the club. In just about every position on the pitch, Harry Redknapp should have a better player, but these so called ‘Professionals’ don’t always perform at the top of their game, especially those wearing a Tottenham shirt, and caution is advised before overestimating Tottenham this Saturday.

Tottenham will be the more confident of the two after their midweek success but their away record on the whole does leave them a tad exposed. After eight away outings, their record on the road currently stands at 3-3-2, and Spurs haven’t actually won in three away outings, failing to beat Arsenal (3-0), Aston Villa (1-0), and more recently drew 2-2 at Goodison Park to Everton. The latter result was especially disappointing as Spurs not only let slip a two goal lead but they were only had to hang on their big advantage for 15 minutes. However, concentration and consistency levels has been an issue for Spurs throughout the course of the season and their price isn’t worth the hassle in our opinion.

Head-to-Head (Last 10):

Blackburn Rovers W: 2 Tottenham Hotspur W: 5 Draws: 3

Not much has separated these sides in past encounters and it was no different last season, with both sides earning a win-a-piece. However, both teams did make home advantage count, with Spurs winning 1-0 at White Hart Lane and Blackburn beating Tottenham in April, 2-1. Blackburn are, though, unbeaten in four meetings at Ewood Park, drawing three and winning one.

If you’re a goals backer then perhaps a small punt on Under 2.5 could prove beneficial. The last ten encounters between the two has produced just three games with three or more goals, while just two of the previous seven meetings at Ewood Park has finished Over 2.5.

Match Verdict: Draw – 3.40 Boylesports

Blackburn tend to come on strong at Ewood Park and the early indications are that the main bulk of their points will come from their home encounters. This will be one of their toughest home fixtures of the season, though, and they will need to be on top form if they are to repel a buoyant Tottenham. Spurs may head into this fixture with an impressive performance under their belts against mega rich Man City, but they are a Christmas Pantomime themselves, with a stunning display one week and an abysmal showing the very next. If we had to pick one of the two then Tottenham would get our vote but that’s too precarious for us against an awkward Blackburn Rovers, and a draw looks a fair punt.

Match Odds:

Blackburn Rovers – 3.35 Expekt.com

Draw – 3.40 Boylesports

Tottenham Hotspur – 2.30 SkyBet

SoccerBetting Value Tip: Under 2.5 Goals – 2.00 Bet365