Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal

Prediction: Total Goals – Under 1.5

Odds: 19/5

Bookmaker: 888Sport

Tottenham Hotspur have a tough task to get back to winning ways as they face Arsenal in the North London Derby on Saturday afternoon.

Mauricio Pochettino’s men have slumped to back-to-back defeats and whilst they still sit third in the Premier League table, the Gunners are now only five points behind. Thus, this game could represent a huge opportunity for either side to strengthen their pursuit of the top four.

Tottenham Hotspur

Despite what has been a positive season so far for Tottenham, they have now fallen to consecutive defeats following losses against Burnley and their unconvincing defeat at Stamford Bridge to Chelsea. The North Londoners have not lost three consecutive league games since November 2011. They have now lost eight league games this season and are now nine points behind league leaders Liverpool so it looks highly unlikely that they are capable of pushing for the Premier League crown. To give Spurs some credit however, their past two matches have been away from home so they will be looking forward to getting back on home soil against the Gunners. The team have won their last four games in all competitions at Wembley Stadium including last time out in their impressive 3-0 victory over German outfit Borussia Dortmund. Naturally, that should put Spurs in a confident mood ahead of what looks like an extremely difficult match at the weekend.

Team News

Pochettino could welcome back defender Jan Vertonghen after he missed Wednesday night’s clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. However, Eric Dier and Dele Alli are both still restricted to the sidelines.

Arsenal

Unai Emery’s troops head across the capital in excellent form having won their last three Premier League games. They were stunning in midweek as they dismissed Bournemouth 5-1 at the Emirates Stadium. Should they chalk up another victory against their rivals, they could extend the gap between themselves, Manchester United and Chelsea, who are both in hot pursuit of the top four. Despite the positive form that the Gunners are enjoying, one aspect that could let them down is their defensive record. Arsenal have only managed to chalk up five clean sheets in the Premier League this season and have conceded more goals than the rest of the top seven. As a matter of fact, they have also let in more strikes than both Crystal Palace and Newcastle United, who are both fighting against relegation. Their record away from the Emirates does not exactly inspire confidence either. The Gunners have only won two out of their last nine games away from home in all competitions.

Team News

Laurent Koscielny got withdrawn through injury against Bournemouth so could well be a doubt for Saturday’s clash. Elsewhere, long-term absentees Rob Holding, Hector Bellerin and Danny Welbeck all remain ruled out.

Key Facts To Consider

• Arsenal have the better all-time record between the two teams (W82, D51, L64)
• The two sides have clashed twice already this season with Arsenal claiming a 4-2 win in the Premier League, whilst Spurs were 2-0 victors in the Carabao Cup
• Harry Kane has scored eight goals in his last ten games against Arsenal
• The Gunners have not done the league double over Tottenham since the 2013/14 season
• Both teams have scored in only one out of the last five clashes between the two teams

Conclusion

This game really should be a spectacular watch. The two teams could do with maximum points considering their aims this season; Tottenham need a reaction to back-to-back losses, whilst Arsenal will be aiming to extend their good run. However, there might not actually be that many goals and the first really could be pivotal.

Prediction: Total Goals – Under 1.5

Odds: 19/5

Bookmaker: 888Sport