Chelsea are top of the table, equal on points with Liverpool, with both sides winning their opening 2 games. Chelsea’s first win (4-0 at home to Portsmouth) was an impressive victory, but it was followed by a less than convincing 0-1 win at Wigan.

Still, Scolari seems happy enough to squeeze a few ugly wins this season and he will be pleased with Deco’s quick assimilation into English football (he has scored in both of Chelsea’s games) and Chelsea’s continued defensive strength; 2 clean sheets in Chelsea’s opening games makes it 6 clean sheets out of their last 9 league games.

The signing of Spartak forward Roman Pavlyuchenko is an attempt to increase Spurs’ firepower and his goalscoring record for Russia and Spartak Moscow is impressive; the Russian league has been gaining in credibility over recent years and Pavlyuchenko scored 77 goals in 147 games for Spartak, as well as 9 goals in 21 appearances for the national side.

Match Betting Previews 29-31 August 2008 >>> UEFA Super Cup: - Man Utd v Zenit Premiership: Arsenal v Newcastle - Bolton v WBA - Everton v Portsmouth - Hull v Wigan - Middlesbrough v Stoke - West Ham v Blackburn - Aston Villa v Liverpool - Chelsea v Spurs - Sunderland v Man City La Liga: Deportivo v Real Madrid - Numancia v Barcelona - Valencia v Mallorca Serie A: Sampdoria v Inter - Fiorentina v Juventus - Roma v Napoli Bundesliga: Leverkusen v Hoffenheim - Bayern v Hertha Ligue 1: Marseille v Sochaux - St Etienne v Lyon Superliga: Benfica v FC Porto SPL: Celtic v Rangers

However, Spurs manager Juande Ramos will have a hard task avoiding a third defeat in a row this season against Chelsea; discounting the League Cup Final win (which was won in Extra Time), Spurs have only won once in their last 39 meetings with the Blues, in a run stretching back to 1990.

Chelsea have won 4 out of their last 6 games at Stamford Bridge against Spurs and are unbeaten in the league since December last year (23 Premiership games); the best price on the Chelsea win is $1.44 as a result.

Chelsea should be able to continue their superb record against their London rivals on Sunday, but with little value in the fixed odds, it is worth looking elsewhere; Chelsea have only conceded to Tottenham once in their last 4 meetings at Stamford Bridge – with Spurs not yet firing up front and with Chelsea’s superb defensive record in recent years, Bet365’s $2.20 for Chelsea to win without conceding looks good.

BETZINE UK TIP *****

Bet: Chelsea to win to nothing Odds: $2.20 Stake: 6pts Bookies: Bet365

Match Betting Previews 29-31 August 2008 >>> UEFA Super Cup: - Man Utd v Zenit Premiership: Arsenal v Newcastle - Bolton v WBA - Everton v Portsmouth - Hull v Wigan - Middlesbrough v Stoke - West Ham v Blackburn - Aston Villa v Liverpool - Chelsea v Spurs - Sunderland v Man City La Liga: Deportivo v Real Madrid - Numancia v Barcelona - Valencia v Mallorca Serie A: Sampdoria v Inter - Fiorentina v Juventus - Roma v Napoli Bundesliga: Leverkusen v Hoffenheim - Bayern v Hertha Ligue 1: Marseille v Sochaux - St Etienne v Lyon Superliga: Benfica v FC Porto SPL: Celtic v Rangers