Derby will see shift in balance of power between Spurs and Blues

Tottenham and Chelsea have started the season well considering they are both works in progress and tonight's derby at White Hart Lane will reveal more about their capability of sustaining a title challenge. As well as being the game of the weekend in the English Premier League, it is also a grudge match between the managers, Andre Villas-Boas and Jose Mourinho, and that only adds to the interest.

Villas-Boas has put together almost a new team at Tottenham, but the players have not taken long to gel and they have won eight out of nine in all competitions, with the only defeat coming away to Arsenal. But for that defeat, Tottenham would be top of the table.

It is notable that Tottenham's eight wins have all been to nil, which signifies that Villas-Boas is succeeding where many of his predecessors have failed by making them solid in defence as well as exciting in attack. Twenty goals to one in nine matches is some achievement.

Chelsea's form is less solid, with Mourinho's "young eggs" at times looking scrambled as they try to come to terms with the new manager's game plan. Mourinho appears to be especially keen on a clean sheet at the moment, with his team having won only one out of four when they have conceded this season.

It must be pointed out that Chelsea have had a more difficult set of early fixtures than Tottenham, but the home side look better balanced and rate the pick on the handicap.

Mourinho will recall that he had an excellent record against Tottenham in his first spell at Chelsea, with five wins and only one defeat in eight matches, but the balance of power may be shifting in London.

Arsenal and Tottenham are level on points at the top of the table and their positions should not be a surprise after both teams finished last season strongly. After Manchester United's sluggish start, Arsenal are now the best Premier League of 2013 with 52 points and Tottenham are second best with 48 points, from one game fewer.

The Gunners have a tricky away game at Swansea tonight, but their excellent form on the road makes them a decent chance at the odds. They have won their last seven away games in the Premier League, a run that started with a 2-0 win at Swansea in March.

By contrast, there are still question marks over Manchester City's away form and they look a risk at Aston Villa despite last weekend's impressive home win over Manchester United. City are the only team from the big six yet to win on the road in the Premier League and, until they start to do that regularly, punters will be on shaky ground at short odds.

The same is true of Liverpool without Philippe Coutinho, even with Luis Suarez back from suspension. Coutinho has missed two matches since his injury and Liverpool have lost both of them without scoring, which makes them far from banker material even for tomorrow's trip to struggling Sunderland.

Going back to his arrival from Inter in January, it seems clear that Coutinho has been a key player in Liverpool's steady improvement under Brendan Rodgers. Liverpool have lost only once in the 16 games started by Coutinho, whereas Rodgers' team without Coutinho (both before and since his arrival) have an even split of wins, draws and defeats from 27 games. Winning without Coutinho is not impossible, but certainly looks more difficult.

The best-value win bets in the Premier League could be a trio of home teams - Fulham, Hull and Stoke.

Mark Hughes' Stoke rate best of them after a solid start, even though three of their first five games were against teams from the big six. It is not such a surprise that Stoke have revived under Hughes, who has never finished outside the top 10 in a completed season with his previous clubs. On present form, Stoke look too strong for poor travellers Norwich.

Fulham are riskier, but their long-term home form under a succession of managers (including Hughes) suggests Craven Cottage is one of the more difficult places to visit. Cardiff, tonight's opponents, may turn out to be a similar team to Fulham (strong at home, weak away) and they are worth opposing on the road until they prove otherwise.

Hull took a big step forward with last week's thrilling 3-2 win at Newcastle and they can consolidate at home to West Ham, another team with dubious form on the road.

SHORTLIST

Tottenham, Stoke, Hull, Ipswich, QPR, Wolves, Napoli, Atalanta.

BEST BETS

1 Stoke home win Good start looks no fluke
2 Ipswich on handicap Only two defeats in their last 10 at home
3 QPR home win The best team in the Championship
4 Wolves home win Six wins out of six against teams below the top seven
5 Atalanta on handicap May be better than early results suggest

FIXTURES

Today (10pm unless stated) Tottenham v Chelsea 7.45 pm, Southampton v Crystal Palace, Hull City Tigers v West Ham United, Fulham v Cardiff City, Aston Villa v Manchester City, Manchester United v West Bromwich Albion, Swansea City v Arsenal (12.30am Sun)
Tomorrow Stoke City v Norwich City (8.30pm), Sunderland v Liverpool (11pm)