*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
8.00pm: Tottenham v Chelsea – Tottenham to Win
There is only one game in the Premier League on Thursday but what a game it is as Tottenham Hotspur welcome London rivals Chelsea. Spurs come into the match on the back of two defeats, going down 3-1 to Liverpool before putting in a shocking performance away to Brighton on Sunday night.
Jose Mourinho was in agreement when the EFL Cup Final against Manchester City was pushed back to April 25, but many are asking the question – will he be in charge by then if their current form continues? Among Tottenham’s two best players this season are Harry Kane and Sergio Reguilon and both will miss Thursday’s game through injury, while Tanguy Ndombele didn’t look great limping off late against Brighton and is rated as doubtful. Jose looks to have burnt a few bridges but may require Dele Alli and Gareth Bale to come up a gear in the coming weeks.
Chelsea have kept two consecutive clean sheets for the first time since late November under new boss Thomas Tuchel. Marcos Alonso has been brought in from the cold and, unlike Spurs, Tuchel will have a fully-fit squad to choose from.
Thursday, 8.00pm: Tottenham v Chelsea
BT Sport 1/BT Sport Ultimate
The sides have met on a couple of occasions in recent months, with both fixtures ending in draws in the EFL Cup (with Spurs winning on penalties) and the Premier League. Both sides are level on points, with Tottenham ahead on goal difference and holding a game in hand on their London rivals.
On recent form, and with Spurs’ injury problems, Tuchel will not get a better chance to get an early victory against Mourinho. However, for me, there is a weak streak running through this Chelsea squad and I’m not convinced by their recent form. Kane is a huge loss but I still think Spurs can get something from the game. The bet is Tottenham Hotspur to Win.
- MORE TIPS: Our 11/1 Bet Builder for Tottenham v Chelsea
8.00pm: Real Betis v Athletic Bilbao – Betis to Win
Two in-form teams clash on Thursday in the Copa del Rey Quarter Final as Real Betis welcome Athletic Bilbao to the Estadio Benito Villamarin. Former Manchester City and West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini is at the helm for Betis and, after a shaky start, has turned things around. Betis are unbeaten since the turn of the year, winning six and drawing two of their eight matches across all competitions.
They sit seventh in La Liga, just two points outside of a European spot. It’s a huge week for Pellegrini and Betis as they face Barcelona at the weekend, but he made it clear that a full-strength team will be selected against Bilbao as they look to win silverware for the first time since 2005 – when they also won the Copa del Rey.
Thursday, 8.00pm: Real Betis v Athletic Bilbao
Premier Sports 1
Bilbao and their manager Marcelino have also had an incredible season with one domestic cup in the bag already, having beaten Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup, and they are currently 11th in La Liga. Barcelona and Messi got revenge last weekend in La Liga, winning 2-1, but previous to that defeat they had won five in a row across all competitions. The visitors beat Real Betis 4-0 when the sides last met earlier in the season but that defeat was when Pellegrini was under intense pressure and finding his feet with his new side – they have turned things around since then.
Both sides are in excellent form and this is a hard game to call, so home advantage might just be the difference between the two sides. The Bet is Real Betis To Win.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
Bet summary – Thursday February 4
8.00pm: Tottenham v Chelsea – Tottenham to Win
8.00pm: Real Betis v Athletic Bilbao – Betis to Win
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