Tottenham v Chelsea Tip

Having tipped Spurs to lift the trophy before the top flight sides entered the fray back in January, I’m not going to lose faith now. It would be fair to say that the Lilywhites are going through their rockiest patch of the season, but the FA Cup can be a great opportunity to get back on track.

This situation reminds me a bit of the last time Tottenham won the competition in 1991. Back then everyone knew that Gazza was playing his final game for the club as he was bound for Serie A. Although the England star suffered horrific injuries at Wembley that day, the fans were able to celebrate a triumph that many felt was written in the stars. In the semi-final that year Gascoigne scored one of the great goals seen at the old stadium as Arsenal were put to the sword.

Fast forward 21 years and there are some obvious parallels. This time it’s the manager Harry Redknapp who looks to be heading for the exit door, to England; an FA Cup Final appearance could be his last day in charge of the club. To make that happen he must mastermind another semi-final Wembley win over another major London rival.

But the reasons why Tottenham should win this game go way beyond a sense of fate. They have been a better side than Chelsea for the majority of 2011-12 and remain ahead of the Blues in the table. The gap may only be two points but it should really be five after Spurs bossed the recent 0-0 encounter at Stamford Bridge.

That followed a 1-1 draw between the two sides at White Hart Lane in December. It would take a brave man to predict that this latest clash will be any less tight. I think another 90-minute draw is quite likely, but Spurs can send their fans into raptures by winning this one in extra-time at a best price of 12/1 with Bluesquare.

Here’s the key factor for me; Bale, Lennon and Parker should all be starting together in midfield for the first time in months. Parker will keep running all day long and can shut down the Chelsea supply line. On the massive Wembley pitch, as legs get tired, it is Redknapp who can call upon the deadliest and most effective pace down the flanks. This may make all the difference on Sunday evening.