Gus Poyet optimistic about Chelsea and Tottenham's weekend chances
(Featured image: Alamy Images)
Gus Poyet is optimistic that former clubs Chelsea and Tottenham can both pickup positive results this weekend.
The Uruguayan made 105 appearances for the Blues, who travel to West Ham in the early kick-off, before making the move to Tottenham, who host Brentford later in the day.
Poyet also enjoyed a brief spell as assistant manager with the North Londoners in 2007-08, during Juande Ramos' brief spell in the Tottenham dugout.
Poyet: Chelsea can continue winning streak at London Stadium
Enzo Maresca has made a decent start to his tenure at Stamford Bridge, despite having lots to contend with off the pitch.
The Italian walked into a Chelsea dressing room which was overflowing with players - much has been made about the club's questionable transfer policies - but to his credit, results have been overall positive during his short time at the club so far.
The Blues have picked up impressive away wins against Wolves and, most recently, a 1-0 victory at Bournemouth.
The run has left them with seven points to their name after four matches as they prepare to face a West Ham side also finding their feet under a new manager in Julen Lopetegui.
Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku scored the Blues' winner on the south coast last week. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)
Poyet, who was speaking exclusively to Odds Now via William Hill, has been encouraged by Maresca's start and pinpoints Cole Palmer as the man who can make the difference for the west Londoners.
The 22-year-old already has one goal and four assists to his name after scoring 20 times in the league in his debut season at Stamford Bridge and sits at 31/20 (general) to score again this weekend.
He said: "Absolutely Chelsea can [win again this weekend]. They seem to be defending well as a team and having talented players at the other end of the pitch to win them games.
"[Cole] Palmer is a big threat. He will be targeted this season given how good he was last year, but this is something he will thrive on and look at continuing his good form.
"With [Jadon, recently signed from Manchester United] Sancho now looking settled, Chelsea can look to push on and compete better and push on with a good run of form."
Poyet thinks Palmer will be key for Chelsea again this season. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)
Their meetings with West Ham last season certainly made for entertaining watches. The Hammers secured a 3-1 home win over their London rivals in August before suffering a 5-0 drubbing at Stamford Bridge the following May.
With nine goals scored in total across those games, one might expect another high-scoring encounter when the sides collide this weekend.
Poyet isn't so sure though, particularly given the clean sheet they earned at Bournemouth in their most recent outing.
"I think Chelsea are defending better as a team as a clean sheet in the last game is a good stepping stone to facing West Ham. However, it’s a London derby and anything can happen.
"We have seen plenty of goals in games between these sides and I like Bowen at West Ham, who is a threat. For Chelsea, I believe they can win this one with extra fire power up front."
Chelsea are odds-against favourites at 21/20 to earn another three points at the London Stadium this weekend.
The Hammers have already beaten one fellow London club in Crystal Palace this season but are 13/5 underdogs to repeat their heroics from this fixture last term. The draw comes in at a best price of 3/1.
Check out our full preview for West Ham vs Chelsea here.
Poyet: 'Give Son the freedom to create'
Tottenham have also impressed performance-wise but have struggled converting their positive showings into results.
Ange Postecoglou's men have just four points to their name after four matches and most recently suffered a 1-0 home defeat to bitter rivals Arsenal.
Spurs retained 64% of possession but recorded just 0.79 xG in a game where they never really looked like scoring against Mikel Arteta's side.
The loss followed a 2-1 defeat away at Newcastle, placing extra emphasis on them securing three points this weekend.
They were also made to work hard against Coventry in the League Cup in midweek, where late goals from Djed Spence and Brennan Johnson saw them progress to the fourth round.
Nevertheless, Tottenham return to home soil as they host an in-form Brentford side on Saturday afternoon.
The Bees secured a 3-1 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium back in May and made champions Manchester City work hard for three points in gameweek four.
Poyet insists Spurs must be at their creative best if they are to pull another victory out of the bag.
"Brentford are a tricky team. You have to play well to beat them and I hope Spurs can put in a big performance this weekend.
"The last minute win this week can look to give the team confidence and as Ange said, they worked hard against Arsenal with no reward.
"Brentford’s defence isn’t the same as Arsenal’s, but Spurs will have to be creative to score goals this weekend and have to do something different."
Brennan Johnson nets a last-gasp winner at Coventry in the League Cup. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)
Club captain Heung-min Son has been particularly quiet. His two goals in the 4-0 win over Everton back in matchweek two remain his only efforts so far this term.
Extra responsibility has been placed on the shoulders of the South Korean since Harry Kane's departure last summer and, with record signing Dominic Solanke taking a while to settle in north London, Poyet says his significance to Tottenham cannot be overstated.
"You have seen his record over the years. It’s top class. He is very important to the team and must be given confidence to go and score goals.
"He must be given the freedom to play and with the creative players around him, it won’t be long before he gets on the score sheet again as he is a top player."
Another loss could spark a mini crisis for Spurs, who sit at odds-on favourites at 4/7, despite their poor form.
Brentford might have won at this venue last season but are still firm underdogs at 23/5, while the draw is best priced at 15/4.
The aforementioned Son only has one goal in five against this weekend's opponents, but still comes in at 6/4 to find the back of the net here.