They’re 1-0 down from the first leg and Thursday’s tie gives Chelsea the chance to prove to their manager – and their supporters – that they have the cojones to reach a Wembley final after an insipid display in the 2-0 loss to Arsenal last weekend.
That the home side are 4/7 and the visitors a staggering 9/2 has as much to do with the loss of Harry Kane and Deli Ali to injury and Son Heung-min to the Asia Cup – than Chelsea’s recent results or performances.
Here’s three best bets for Thursday’s tie that also morphs into a 5/2 same game multi.
Handicap betting (Spurs +1) 6/5
Tottenham’s 1-0 win in the first leg of this tie was their third victory on the bounce in all competitions against their London rivals. Given that their 3-1 league win at Stamford Bridge last November was their first for 28 years – they won’t be lacking in confidence.
What they may be lacking however is an outstanding goal threat now that Kane and Deli Ali are on the sidelines. A 0-0 or any score draw still sees Spurs through, so they have to at least keep tabs on Chelsea or risk elimination.
That could play into our hands in backing Spurs at +1 on the handicap @ 13/10.
Both teams to score @ 17/20
The last six games between these sides have produced 20 goals with only one side, Chelsea, drawing a blank twice, and that was in away games.
Given what’s at stake on Thursday though, we expect to see goals again. Ideally, except if you’re a Spurs’ fan, Chelsea will score first so that any parking of the bus that Mauricio Pochettino had planned will have to shelved, as a draw is good enough to see Spurs in the Carabao Cup final.
And if Spurs manage to hit the onion bag first, Chelsea will surely have enough pride not to throw in the towel on their own manor.
Either way works for us.
Tottenham to qualify @ 5/6
There’s still some doubt as to whether Gonzalo Higuain is eligible for the game, as he had to register as a Chelsea player by noon on Wednesday.
If he gets game time, it could create its own problems as the Blues try to adapt to the 31-year-old Argentinian, and the former AC Milan striker, to Chelsea.
So we’re going to back up our earlier suggestions by banking on the logical conclusion of Spurs +1 and both teams to score, by backing Spurs to qualify for the final.
It also gives us a little safety net if the game slips into extra time or the dreaded penalty shoot-out as ‘to qualify’ bets are settled on this scenario also while the others are on 90 mins play.
Spurs will qualify for the final. There, we’ve said it.
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