Football tips: Italian and Premier League action features in Thursday’s 4/1 PP News daily double

Tottenham Hotspur host Liverpool in the Premier League tonight in what promises to be a mouth-watering clash. The hosts currently sit sixth in the table and were impressive last time out in the league defeating Sheffield Utd 3-1 at Bramall Lane. They followed that up on Monday by hitting Championship side Wycombe for four in the FA Cup.

However, Spurs have lost their last six meetings with Liverpool, who have become a bogey team for the north Londoners. When these two met at Anfield earlier in the season, Jose Mourinho’s team missed several chances when the game was 1-1 and got caught by an injury-time sucker punch by Roberto Firminio to go down 2-1.

Since that defeat, Mourinho’s men are flying having reached the EFL Cup final and registering five wins and a draw from six outings in all competitions. Liverpool’s last away win came in that 7-0 thumping at Crystal Palace before Christmas.

8pm: Tottenham v Liverpool – BT Sport 1

Since then they are five Premier League games without a win and crashed out of the FA Cup against rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Liverpool’s defensive woes were highlighted big time against United last Sunday and things will not get any easier on Thursday with Spurs duo Harry Kane and Heung-min Son flying. Their bench will be equally impressive with the likes of Gareth Bale and Lucas Moura to come on. It could end up being a long night for Liverpool’s weakened defence.

This promises to be a cracking game and I’m struggling to pick a winner. Liverpool have a hoodoo on Spurs, but they will not get a better opportunity to get one over on Jurgen Klopp’s men with results and confidence at an all-time low. I expect a goal-fest and would not rule out a high scoring draw. However, I’ll sit on the fence and go for the overs market. The Bet is Over 2.5 Goals.

• MORE TIPS: Phil Thompson’s verdict on Spurs v Liverpool tonight

A spot in the Coppa Italia semi-finals is at stake when Napoli and Spezia go head to head in the Stadio Diego Maradona on Thursday. Spezia, who were promoted to Serie A in the 2019/20 season, created a huge shock in the league when defeating Napoli 2-1 at Thursday’s venue a few weeks ago.

Napoli sit sixth in Serie A and have little chance of lifting the Scudetto. This is a huge opportunity for them to go all the way in the Italian Cup and for many their name is already on the trophy following the recent passing of club legend Diego Maradona.

8pm: Napoli v Spezia – BT Sport 2

Spezia sit 15^th in Serie A and have a crucial game in the league on Sunday against fellow strugglers Udinese, which their management will likely have one eye on. They conceded four against Roma last time out, and have won just three of their last 10 away games in the league. Napoli have won five of their last nine home games, and while recent results are a concern they should have too much for Spezia.

Napoli are desperate to win silverware this season and went down 2-0 recently to Juventus in the Italian Super Cup. They have a relatively easy fixture against Parma on Sunday, and I expect a full-strength side to be named against Spezia. The bet is Napoli to Win and Both Teams To Score.

PP News Daily Double

Thursday January 27

Tottenham v Liverpool: Over 2.5 goals
Napoli to beat Spezia and Both Teams To Score

• The above two bets clocks in at around 4/1 with Paddy Power

All odds are correct at time of first publishing, but may subsequently change.

More Thursday tips

• BET BUILDER TIPS: Our 18/1 punt for Spurs v Liverpool

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