• Premier League, 2011-12

Tottenham to maintain momentum

Gareth Bale will have the West Brom defenders losing sleep in the build-up to their clash at the Hawthorns © Getty Images

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Tottenham Hotspur looked a classy side when they tore apart Aston Villa on Monday night and they will be confident of staying on the winning track when they travel to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday as they look to close the gap on second-placed Manchester United.

Part of the key to Tottenham's success this season so far has been their ability to avoid the draws that really knock sides chasing the title. Harry Redknapp's men have won eight of their 11 matches, with one draw and two defeats and if they play anything like as well as they did against Villa, West Brom could be in for a torrid time.

West Brom have made a decent start to the season to sit in mid-table but when it comes to playing the top sides, they have been found wanting. Two of their three home defeats came against Manchester United and Liverpool and they have scored just 11 goals in 12 matches - including just five in six home games.

Betting bullets

• Bet of the weekend: Tottenham Hotspur to win at West Bromwich Albion - 10/11 bet365
• The weekend punt: Liverpool to beat Manchester City - 9/5 bet365
• The weekend treble: Arsenal, Swansea and Norwich to win - 6/1 bet365

That's hugely unlikely to be good enough against a Spurs side who have so many attacking options at their disposal. Their strikers alone are dangerous but in the likes of Gareth Bale they have world-beaters who should relish the chance to get at a side like West Brom.

Strangely, Tottenham have a pretty poor record at the Hawthorns, with their 2003 victory their only win there in five matches in the Premier League. But a lot has changed in the past couple of years and Spurs are now right in there in the race for the title and who knows, perhaps knocking on the door of the top two.

At 10/11, there is no reason why Tottenham won't maintain their momentum and I would be surprised if it is anything other than an away win, so let's make them the bet of the weekend.

The biggest, or at least most intriguing, match of the weekend is at Anfield where an ever-improving Liverpool side get to test their mettle against Manchester City. The Reds' 2-1 win at Chelsea last weekend will have lifted spirits immensely, while boosting their hopes of securing a top-four spot this season.

City have won 11 of their 12 matches in the league this season and drawn the other one and there is no doubt they deserve top spot. But it was interesting to watch them lose to Napoli in the Champions League in midweek because the Italians' tactics of pressing the City midfield is exactly what they can expect from Liverpool.

It should also not be forgotten that Liverpool won this fixture 3-0 back in April. Now the addition of Sergio Aguero to the City line-up has obviously improved them but Liverpool are playing well and though their home record has been disappointing with three straight draws, they can right the ship by winning this one and at 9/5 with bet365 they are the weekend punt.

Last weekend we had success with the weekend treble so let's see if we can repeat that this time round.

Swansea City were unlucky not to get something against Manchester United in their last home match and have been excellent on home turf so they look a good bet at 5/4 to get the better of a hapless Villa side (at least against Tottenham last week).

Arsenal, with Robin van Persie scoring goals at an incredible rate in 2011, are short at 4/9 to beat Fulham at the Emirates but their tails are up and they should take care of their fellow Londoners.

Finally, Queens Park Rangers have managed three away wins so far this season but I fancy them to slip up at Norwich City. Every time you think QPR should win, they lose, and vice versa so with various people tipping them this time round, I can see the Canaries winning out on their home ground at 6/5 with bet365.

Put those three together and you get a treble that works out at 6/1, which would be a nice bit of cash for some early Christmas shopping, perhaps. Good luck!

RUNNING TOTAL (as of November 25): -14.95pts
(Based on: 3pts stake for bet of weekend and 1pt per weekend punt and weekend treble

Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.

Simon Cambers is ESPN.co.uk's betting correspondent

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