• Premier League

Defoe and Wilshere up stakes again

Fancy a bet? Jermain Defoe has issued Jack Wilshere with a wager © PA Photos

Enlarge

Jermain Defoe is so confident that Tottenham will finish ahead of Arsenal this season that he is willing to have another bet with Arsenal rival Jack Wilshere as the race for a top-four finish in the Premier League heats up.

Defoe was forced to pay out £3,000 to charity after he lost a similar bet with Wilshere last season, but his confidence is returning after Tottenham's fine run of form culminated in a win against the Gunners last weekend.

Defoe, who featured in his side's 2-1 victory over their North London rivals last weekend, had to donate his losses when Spurs relinquished a ten-point gap last season - but believes the same outcome will not happen again.

"At the time when I did the bet last season, I thought we would have finished higher than Arsenal and I still feel like that now," Defoe said.

"Jack's a cool guy, there's a little bit of banter and even though we beat them quite comfortably, I still think they're a good side. I suppose if Jack wants a little bet, it's no problem with me," he added.

The original bet occurred after Wilshere pledged to donate money to charity if Spurs finished above them in the league - a wager Defoe was quick to take up on his Twitter account, reversing the stakes.

However, a shock home loss to Norwich plus an away defeat at the hands of Queens Park Rangers - now managed by ex-Spurs boss Harry Redknapp - helped Arsenal finish above Tottenham by a solitary point, meaning Defoe had to pay up.

Defoe already stated he believes Andre Villas-Boas has assembled the strongest squad he's been a part of, but with Queens Park Rangers still to host Arsenal towards the end of the season, the England striker will be looking to his former boss to help spare his blushes this time.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.