Win2Win Racing
20th January 2009, 18:42
Surely it's impossible for even Tottenham Hotspur to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory on this occasion, isn't it? Not so, says Dan Fitch, who believes the first leg scoreline was not reflective of the match.
Tottenham are the team that famously ended up losing 5-3 at home to Manchester United, despite being 3-0 up at half time. They also lost 4-3 at home to a Manchester City side that were down to 10 men and were also, 3-0 down at half time.
Despite this history of clutching failure when on the brink of success, it is surely impossible that Tottenham will not qualify for the Carling Cup final. Having won the home leg 4-1, it would take a complete meltdown to lose the away leg by a margin big enough to see Burnley progress.
It must be said though that when Spurs are involved, the opposition always have a chance. Also, the first leg score-line of 4-1 was not reflective of the match.
Burnley could have easily have gone in at half-time winning more than 1-0, as they carved out chances and controlled midfield. It was only when Harry Redknapp replaced David Bentley with Jamie O'Hara, who tucked in on the left hand side of central midfield that Tottenham got back into the game.
In the second half, everything seemed to go Spurs' way and they ran out easy winners. This was not the case on Sunday, when Tottenham had to come from behind to force a 1-1 draw with Portsmouth and missed numerous chances to win the game.
After Redknapp's public criticism of Darren Bent's wayward finishing, it is likely that he will, at best, start on the bench. Jermain Defoe netted his first goal since rejoining Tottenham, to equalise against his former club and he will be the favourite to open the scoring on Wednesday night.
When the first goalscorer market opens on Betfair nearer to kick off, expect Defoe to be priced around [6.5], with Pavlyuchenko at [7.0] and Modric at [11.5]. Burnley's Martin Paterson opened the scoring in the first leg and will be priced at around [8.5] for a repeat.
Tottenham will be wary of the way that Burnley packed the midfield at White Hart Lane and are likely to start with O'Hara tucked in on the left, allowing him to assist Modric and Didier Zokora in central midfield.
This might leave plenty of room for Chris Eagles to operate on Burnley's right flank. He gave Gareth Bale a torrid time in the first leg and with the Welsh prodigy short on confidence at the moment, Eagles could have another good night.
Burnley will be without their skipper Stephen Caldwell through suspension, but are looking to push through the loan signing of Celtic's Darren O'Dea in time for the young Irishman to make his debut against Spurs.
For Tottenham, Ledley King is injured, but would have no doubt been rested by Redknapp anyway. Pavlyuchenko also limped off against Portsmouth, but should shake off an ankle injury to be available for selection.
Since the first leg, Burnley have lost against Swansea and Preston in the Championship, though they again proved their cup pedigree to beat QPR in the FA Cup. Tottenham have now gone six Premier League games without a win, with the only recent victories coming in the cup triumphs over Wigan and of course, Burnley.
Burnley are [3.3], with the draw at [3.5] and Tottenham the [2.34]. Although I think Spurs did enough in the first leg to progress, I wouldn't be surprised if they failed to win in the second leg. Tottenham are [1.02] to qualify, with Burnley at [32.0].
Six of Spurs last seven cup ties have produced three goals or more. Over 2.5 goals can be backed at [1.85], with under 2.5 at [2.14]. The first leg produced a total of five goals and with that in mind, over 3.5 goals is available at [3.0], with over 4.5 at [5.7].
The first leg also only produced one booking. It should be another even-tempered game and five points and under may be the way to go when the bookings odds market gains some liquidity nearer to kick off.
Tottenham are [2.66] to win the Carling Cup, with Burnley the outsiders at [80.0].
More... (http://betting.betfair.com/football/carling-cup/carling-cup-betting-with-spurs-involved-burnley-have-a-cha-200109.html)
Tottenham are the team that famously ended up losing 5-3 at home to Manchester United, despite being 3-0 up at half time. They also lost 4-3 at home to a Manchester City side that were down to 10 men and were also, 3-0 down at half time.
Despite this history of clutching failure when on the brink of success, it is surely impossible that Tottenham will not qualify for the Carling Cup final. Having won the home leg 4-1, it would take a complete meltdown to lose the away leg by a margin big enough to see Burnley progress.
It must be said though that when Spurs are involved, the opposition always have a chance. Also, the first leg score-line of 4-1 was not reflective of the match.
Burnley could have easily have gone in at half-time winning more than 1-0, as they carved out chances and controlled midfield. It was only when Harry Redknapp replaced David Bentley with Jamie O'Hara, who tucked in on the left hand side of central midfield that Tottenham got back into the game.
In the second half, everything seemed to go Spurs' way and they ran out easy winners. This was not the case on Sunday, when Tottenham had to come from behind to force a 1-1 draw with Portsmouth and missed numerous chances to win the game.
After Redknapp's public criticism of Darren Bent's wayward finishing, it is likely that he will, at best, start on the bench. Jermain Defoe netted his first goal since rejoining Tottenham, to equalise against his former club and he will be the favourite to open the scoring on Wednesday night.
When the first goalscorer market opens on Betfair nearer to kick off, expect Defoe to be priced around [6.5], with Pavlyuchenko at [7.0] and Modric at [11.5]. Burnley's Martin Paterson opened the scoring in the first leg and will be priced at around [8.5] for a repeat.
Tottenham will be wary of the way that Burnley packed the midfield at White Hart Lane and are likely to start with O'Hara tucked in on the left, allowing him to assist Modric and Didier Zokora in central midfield.
This might leave plenty of room for Chris Eagles to operate on Burnley's right flank. He gave Gareth Bale a torrid time in the first leg and with the Welsh prodigy short on confidence at the moment, Eagles could have another good night.
Burnley will be without their skipper Stephen Caldwell through suspension, but are looking to push through the loan signing of Celtic's Darren O'Dea in time for the young Irishman to make his debut against Spurs.
For Tottenham, Ledley King is injured, but would have no doubt been rested by Redknapp anyway. Pavlyuchenko also limped off against Portsmouth, but should shake off an ankle injury to be available for selection.
Since the first leg, Burnley have lost against Swansea and Preston in the Championship, though they again proved their cup pedigree to beat QPR in the FA Cup. Tottenham have now gone six Premier League games without a win, with the only recent victories coming in the cup triumphs over Wigan and of course, Burnley.
Burnley are [3.3], with the draw at [3.5] and Tottenham the [2.34]. Although I think Spurs did enough in the first leg to progress, I wouldn't be surprised if they failed to win in the second leg. Tottenham are [1.02] to qualify, with Burnley at [32.0].
Six of Spurs last seven cup ties have produced three goals or more. Over 2.5 goals can be backed at [1.85], with under 2.5 at [2.14]. The first leg produced a total of five goals and with that in mind, over 3.5 goals is available at [3.0], with over 4.5 at [5.7].
The first leg also only produced one booking. It should be another even-tempered game and five points and under may be the way to go when the bookings odds market gains some liquidity nearer to kick off.
Tottenham are [2.66] to win the Carling Cup, with Burnley the outsiders at [80.0].
More... (http://betting.betfair.com/football/carling-cup/carling-cup-betting-with-spurs-involved-burnley-have-a-cha-200109.html)