Premier League specials & free picks for Spurs vs. Chelsea

TOTTENHAM Hotspur’s Wembley residence commences with a huge second-up clash against the English Premier League champions.

A sedate summer in the transfer market has led many to question whether Spurs can continue to hang with the big boys.

While other clubs have spent heavily in the off-season, Kyle Walker’s lucrative move to Manchester City remains the only change to a Spurs squad that finished seven points shy of the Blues last term.

Supporters and column writers might be anxious about the lack of new arrivals, but everything looked hunky dory on the field of play as Tottenham kicked off their campaign in winning fashion.

Dele Alli and Ben Davies both found the back of the net in a routine 2-0 victory away at Newcastle United.

That scoreline would have been much more lopsided had Harry Kane converted his chances, of which there were several.

If last weekend’s shambles at Stamford Bridge are anything the go by, the England striker should have no issues finding scoring opportunities.

Chelsea’s title defence got off to a catastrophic start as Burnley held on for a rare away victory – only their second since rejoining the top flight for the 2016-17 campaign.

The Blues finished the game two men down after Gary Cahill and Cesc Fabregas were given their marching orders.

With those two suspended, coach Antonio Conte will have to shuffle things around in both the defence and the midfield.

Cesar Azpilicueta could drop to the right side of a back three, unless Andreas Christensen is handed a maiden Premier League start.

With Nemanja Matic gone, Kenedy and Charly Musonda are the likely candidates to partner N’Golo Kante in the middle of the park.

Michy Batshuayi led the line against the Clarets, but Alvaro Morata should come into the starting XI after an excellent cameo off the bench.

Harry Kane goalscorer betting

• First goalscorer – +350 at William Hill
• First goal and Spurs win – +800 at Ladbrokes
• To score a hat-trick – +4000 at Sportsbet

Is there a striker in the EPL who is more important to a team’s fortunes than Kane?

The England star is so often at the heart of everything good about Tottenham’s forward play.

If there is such a thing as a ‘complete’ centre forward, Kane is it.

He may not have scored last week, but it should not take long for the dual EPL Golden Boot winner to break his duck.

Alvaro Morata bet specials

• Anytime goalscorer – +190 at William Hill
• First Chelsea goalscorer – +350 at Sportsbet
• Anytime goalscorer and Chelsea lose – +900 at Ladbrokes

It remains to be seen whether Morata is worth the massive money the Blues paid for him.

That said, the Spaniard was superb in a losing cause on his Premier League debut.

He scored one goal and assisted another as nine-man Chelsea very nearly pinched a point that looked beyond reach at half-time.

Let’s see how the former Juventus and Real Madrid man fares over 90 minutes – assuming he starts, that is.

Tottenham vs. Chelsea match prediction

London derbies are never as straightforward as they seem, but all signs point to Spurs on this occasion.

While their lack of transfer business has irked some, it means they have started the season with the most unified, organised and well-drilled squad in the division.

These guys know each other inside out and there are no new, unfamiliar elements harshing up the vibe.

Meanwhile, Chelsea must be wishing they had held onto Matic and a few others for just a little longer as they scramble to cover the suspended Cahill and Fabregas.

Wembley has not always been kind to the Lilywhites in the past, but this is a huge opportunity to hurt a rival and make a statement in the process.

Tottenham win and over 2.5 goals – +200 at William Hill