Soccer / odds

Spurs v Newcastle Spurs maintained their unbeaten start to the season in dramatic fashion last weekend but they will be hoping that they don't have to rely on a last minute VAR decision to get a positive result from this fixture. Despite what on paper look like 4 decent points, Tottenham have struggled to start well in either Premier League game this season, going behind early to both Villa and City and then having to dig themselves out of a tough spot. The Premier League is generally not forgiving enough to allow that to happen 3 times in a row. Spurs will be buoyed by the return of Korean forward Son who missed the opening 2 matches through suspension while Giovanni Lo Celso made a short cameo at the Ethiad last week. However, any expectations that the Argentine will make an immediate impact in North London have been curtailed for now with Pochettino stating that their big money signing is not ready yet. With fellow big money signing NDombele ruled out through injury, it will be a few more familiar faces who take to the part at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Regardless of who plays, Poch will know that he has failed to get the right tactics and right shape to his starting 11 so far this season. Will it be third time lucky? Newcastle were very poor against Norwich. The Magpies were unorganised in defence and lacked any cutting edge going forward. If Spurs are in the mood then a similar display today could lead to them shipping even more than the 3 goals that got put past them in East Anglia. A new manager and new signings always take time to settle but the impatience of the Toon Army fans is already weighing heavy on the club and a third straight defeat may be too much to bear. On the flip side, any point away to a top 4 club is like gold dust and this round of Premier League fixtures has already proved that if you set out your stall to be organised in defence and clinical in attack, anything is possible .... Wolves v Burnley Last year was a struggle for Burnley due in large part to their exploitations early in the season in attempting to qualify for the Europa League. Wolves now find themselves in a similar situation this year with Nuno Santo's side having had to travel to Italy midweek. How the players and coaching staff adapt to that schedule could well define whether Wolves are able to maintain their challenge in the top third of the table this season. So far it's played 2 drawn 2 for the home side but they will feel that on paper at least this fixture presents their best opportunity to date to get a tick in the win column. The stats are very much in Wolves favour as they are unbeaten at home in their last 9 appearances while Burnley managed just 3 clean sheets on their travels last year and conceded twice again at the Emirates last week. Burnley's main threat is likely to be striker Ashley Barnes who has already found the back of the net 3 times. The Austrian forward is carrying over his good form from the back end of last season and only Mane and Aguero have scored more Premier League goals than Barnes in 2019. Burnley's task is not likely to be made any easier by the continued absence of midfield trio Drinkwater, Brady and Defour.