You Bet | Derby will see shift in balance of power between Spurs and Blues
Villas-Boas' Spurs may have the advantage, but Mourinho's young Blues could prove a handful
Tottenham and Chelsea have started the season well considering they are both works in progress and tonight's derby at White Hart Lane will reveal more about their capability of sustaining a title challenge. As well as being the game of the weekend in the English Premier League, it is also a grudge match between the managers, Andre Villas-Boas and Jose Mourinho, and that only adds to the interest.
Villas-Boas has put together almost a new team at Tottenham, but the players have not taken long to gel and they have won eight out of nine in all competitions, with the only defeat coming away to Arsenal. But for that defeat, Tottenham would be top of the table.
It is notable that Tottenham's eight wins have all been to nil, which signifies that Villas-Boas is succeeding where many of his predecessors have failed by making them solid in defence as well as exciting in attack. Twenty goals to one in nine matches is some achievement.
Chelsea's form is less solid, with Mourinho's "young eggs" at times looking scrambled
Chelsea's form is less solid, with Mourinho's "young eggs" at times looking scrambled as they try to come to terms with the new manager's game plan. Mourinho appears to be especially keen on a clean sheet at the moment, with his team having won only one out of four when they have conceded this season.
It must be pointed out that Chelsea have had a more difficult set of early fixtures than Tottenham, but the home side look better balanced and rate the pick on the handicap.
Mourinho will recall that he had an excellent record against Tottenham in his first spell at Chelsea, with five wins and only one defeat in eight matches, but the balance of power may be shifting in London.
Arsenal and Tottenham are level on points at the top of the table and their positions should not be a surprise after both teams finished last season strongly. After Manchester United's sluggish start, Arsenal are now the best Premier League of 2013 with 52 points and Tottenham are second best with 48 points, from one game fewer.
The Gunners have a tricky away game at Swansea tonight, but their excellent form on the road makes them a decent chance at the odds. They have won their last seven away games in the Premier League, a run that started with a 2-0 win at Swansea in March.
