At the start of the 2020/21 Premier league campaign, little was expected of Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur. However, as the opening weeks have concluded, Spurs appear to have put themselves in the title race.
While, of course, there is still plenty of football to be played, Mourinho’s hard-to-beat style, the return to form of Harry Kane, and the club’s new-found steel in midfield have made them a tough side to beat.
So, let’s take a look at whether betting on Tottenham to win the 2020-21 top-flight English title is worth considering.
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Tottenham Hotspur thriving Under Mourinho’s Leadership
On November 20th, 2019, Daniel Levy replaced Mauricio Pochettino with Mourinho, a three-time Premier League-winning manager.
Few stylistic approaches in football are as divisive as the Portuguese manager’s system.
However, his work at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium appears to be culminating in a dangerous, attack-minded team. Something that few now associate with Mourinho.
Aside from a one-goal, opening day defeat to Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton, Tottenham responded to that loss with a six-game unbeaten streak over their next league fixtures.
Not only that, but after seven matches, only Arsenal, Manchester City, and Wolverhampton Wanderers had conceded fewer goals than Spurs.
Almost one year on from his arrival, Mourinho recently recognised his team’s “great evolution” under his leadership, as per a report from Goal.
Perhaps one of the biggest factors behind Spurs’ growth – aside from the return to form of their world-class offensive players – relates to their fresh-faced midfield.
Despite struggling to adapt to Mourinho’s methods, Ndombele has this season become a regular in the starting side. While the signing of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has added much-needed fight to the London-based club’s midfield.
Rival Vulnerabilities
While there can be no doubts that the developments at Tottenham have heightened the potential of them being in a title race, the circumstances at both Liverpool and City also enhance their chances.
Although the previous two Premier League champions are the favourites to lift the trophy, Tottenham are currently priced at 7/1 in the football betting to win the league in the 2020-21 campaign, as of November 4th. The reason for this relates to Liverpool’s ongoing injury crisis and City’s inconsistent form.
Liverpool will, of course, be without Virgil van Dijk for the majority of the season. The defender suffered a Grade 3 ACL tear in the first Merseyside derby of the season.
His absence only leaves the Reds with three fit senior defenders in Joe Gomez, Nathaniel Phillips and Joel Matip. The latter has thus far missed 60 games for Liverpool since November 2016.
Pep Guardiola’s team, on the other hand, are somewhat struggling with an identity crisis. City’s football remains slick and fast-paced. But their ability to fluently create and convert chances has become something of a concern for the Citizens.
Particularly as they seek to reclaim the Premier League title.
90 Points May Not Be Needed
Unlike in years gone by, teams may no longer need a points tally of around 100 to secure the title.
Instead, because of the heightened competitiveness of the league, along with the issues at both Liverpool and Manchester City, the race is wide open. Meaning an unexpected contender may end up taking the crown.