Weekend Premiership

Spurs shocked the league leaders at the weekend with a 2-1 win at White Hart Lane, lifting them off the bottom of the table and padding our own wallets too

Following the excitement of the nine games played on Wednesday in the Premier League I’m hoping for more of the same come this weekend. It’s a pretty uninspiring set of fixtures on paper however and only one match really catches the eye.

How Arsenal failed to claim maximum points in the north London derby I’ll never know but Aaron Lennon’s late equaliser for Spurs capped a marvellous comeback and it would be foolish to underestimate just how much of an impact the winger’s late leveller could have on Tottenham’s season. Spurs celebrated at the final whistle like they’d won the title and I think it’s a good thing that they face another top side, in the shape of Liverpool, on Saturday.

The 4-4 draw at the Emirates Stadium made it six goals in two games for Harry Redknapp since taking charge at White Hart Lane, following the 2-0 win over Bolton, and although his new side were outplayed for periods by the Gunners they always looked a threat on the break. Harry has them set up in a much more effective formation than Juande Ramos ever did and the key now is to keep his star men fit.

I like Luka Modric in a more advanced role, he played behind Roman Pavlyuchenko on Wednesday and then Darren Bent when the England striker replaced the Russian, and it means that Spurs can flood the midfield where previously they have looked vulnerable. Jermaine Jenas, who took his goal so well on Wednesday, will be crucial to any success and we also saw just how valuable David Bentley can be. His opening strike was up there with the very best and he’ll be desperate to repeat the feat on Saturday.

Liverpool continue to defy the critics and there must now be real belief at Anfield that this could be their year. I remain unconvinced on that front but they have already beaten Manchester United and Chelsea this term and, perhaps even more importantly, have also found a way to win when not at their best.

There’s no doubt Rafa Benitez’s side have suffered from an inability to break down stubborn opponents in the past but, while a goalless draw with Stoke at Anfield earlier in the season raised those doubts again, they have come from behind numerous times already this season and the 1-0 victory over Portsmouth on Wednesday was crucial to keep the momentum going.

It remains to be seen whether Fernando Torres is fit enough for the trip to London but surprisingly they have looked more than capable without him in recent matches. Whether they are 2.20 shots to leave with all three points is another matter however and I think that price is certainly on the short side.

I’d want somewhere nearer the 2.60 mark on the Reds registering yet another victory and, while I think the likely result is a score draw, a lay of the away side is clearly the smartest way to go. I’m more than happy to have a resurgent Spurs and the draw on side at a little worse than even money.