EFL Cup: Can Spurs Climb the Mountain?

Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea

Okay; a two goal deficit at half time is never the end of the game, but when you face Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea in the second leg of the EFL Cup then it’s a pretty mountainous task.

And of course, a 2-0 lead can often be a dangerous one. At 2-0 the next goal is crucial because it’s all about momentum. Go 3-0 up and you’re almost there, but concede and at 2-1 and you are suddenly vulnerable against an opponent with the wind at their backs. So an early goal for Antonio Conte’s Spurs, who lost by the two at Stamford Bridge last week, would get them to base camp and with the summit in sight.

But the North London Whites can ill afford to defend as badly as they did in the first leg because Chelsea will just take advantage again as Kai Havertz did at Stamford Bridge. And then an own goal by Ben Davies, not his fault, had more place in the circus than on a football field as Japhet Tanganga headed the ball into the Welshman’s face before it flew into the  net.

The manner of defeat was as far from an Antonio Conte performance as you could imagine and he’ll be looking for a reaction from his players on their home ground on Wednesday night.    

Talking Points

Spurs have a point to prove

It isn’t just Conte who will be fuming following the 2-0 reversal at Stamford Bridge; the players, who had already started to respond to the Italian with a series of professional performances, let themselves down and now they have to show their fans what they are about. The Whites are at odds of 5.54 to make it through to the final, while Chelsea are as short as 1.10 and if they can turn that over then this crop of Spurs players can become heroes.

But the defeat against Chelsea seemed to be weighing heavily on Spurs’ minds as they struggled to navigate an FA Cup tie against Morecambe on Sunday. They left it late to come through their third round clash, as goals from Harry Winks, Harry Kane and Lucas Moura in the last 15 minutes were needed to see off Morecambe, 3-1, after the League 1 side had led for much of the match.  

Moura has two goals in the League Cup and he looks set to keep his place alongside Kane, as Heung-Min Son is out with a leg injury and Steven Bergwijn is doubtful after missing the FA Cup game.  

Tuchel is in total in control

In contrast to Conte’s ebullient and emotional style, his opposite number Thomas Tuchel is usually cool personified. And he has good reason to be. The latest EFL Cup 2022 betting odds hold the blues up as favourites to win the trophy at a price of 2.05, with Liverpool second favourites at 2.80 and yet to start their tie with Arsenal. The Gunners are priced at 4.40 and Conte’s Spurs are way out at 17.00 to end their 13 year trophy famine.    

Tuchel has kept his nerve and calmed his team after a run of disappointing results saw them hand over the Premier League top spot to Manchester City, and he has also brought his star striker Romelu Lukaku back into line after the prolific Belgian announced to the press that he was unhappy with a bit part after his return from injury. Lukaku has since apologised and the boss has brought him back into the fold and that can only be good news for Chelsea fans.  

The return of N’Golo Kante from injury has lifted Chelsea, and the Frenchman was instrumental in the Blues’  comeback in a 2-2 draw against Liverpool and he could be ready to face Spurs having missed out last week through COVID. Tuchel has a full squad to choose from and in the 5-1 win over Chesterfield which sent the Blues through to the fourth round of the FA Cup, they had five different scorers, Timo Werner and Lukaku among the goals. 

History

With 37 wins to Spurs’ ten, Chelsea have had much the better of this cross London relationship, since the launch of the Premier League.

In terms of recent form, both teams have won four of the last six, though Chelsea have drawn the other two while Spurs drew one and lost the other…in this first leg. In fact, the Blues are unbeaten in ten games though Spurs have won their last three at home.  

We’ll be back with EFL Cup 2022 updates on Wednesday night and in the meantime we’ll cast an eye over the best odds and make a pick.

Betting Tip

	Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea	Chelsea Asian Handicap 0.00 @ 1.92
	January 13, 03:45 (GMT+8)

You can hardly split these teams for this second leg with the hosts at SBOTOP odds of 2.57 and the visitors at 2.53. The 90 minute draw at 3.11 is the outside bet, but perfectly likely if Spurs go for the win and Chelsea summon all their customary professionalism to see the job through.

I think a fit and firing Kante and Lukaku will give the Blues the edge.    

 

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