Prediction: Tottenham vs Arsenal

Verdict: Arsenal win

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

With all eyes falling on north London this weekend, Tottenham and Arsenal will meet for what will be a fiery affair on Sunday afternoon.

Tottenham

Starting with the hosts, while Tottenham might have continued to receive a string of plaudits since they appointed Ange Postecoglou last summer, Spurs are seeking some recent stability. Last seen putting in a nightmare performance away at Newcastle as they slumped to a 4-0 drumming, the former Celtic boss has seen his squad win just a pair of their previous five Premier League appearances. More than aware that they face a real uphill battle in the race to secure a lucrative Champions League return, Tottenham will at least be excited to make a return to home soil here. Including winning all of their previous three showdowns in north London by an aggregate score of 8-3, Spurs have also won nine of their last 11 appearances in front of their own supporters – a run that stems all the way back to December 7th.

Team News

In what could be a huge boost for Tottenham this weekend, Spurs are hopeful that both Richarlison and Pedro Porro could be passed fit to feature on Sunday afternoon. However, all still dealing with respective injury issues, Postecoglou will be unable to call upon the likes of Ryan Sessegnon, Manor Solomon and former Southampton shot-stopper Fraser Forster.

Despite failing to find the net in his previous three Premier League appearances, attacking talisman Heung-Min Son will spearhead Spurs’ charge here. While James Maddison might have struggled to find much fluidity since opening the New Year, the England international will keep his spot in Postecoglou’s starting XI.

Arsenal

As for the visitors, while Arsenal might have suffered Champions League heartbreak away at German giants Bayern Munich last week as they slumped to a 3-2 aggregate defeat, the Gunners made a major statement of intent on Tuesday night. Storming their way to a stunning 5-0 romp against London rivals Chelsea, Mikel Arteta’s young squad will be desperate for a repeat display on Sunday afternoon. Collecting consecutive Premier League victories over the past week and still battling it out in the chase to get their hands on a first domestic crown since 2004, Arsenal will be more than aware that they face another season-defining affair here. Gaining a fearsome reputation for their free-scoring performances in the final third, the Gunners have also not suffered a single Premier League defeat away from the Emirates since opening the New Year.

Team News

Although Dutch defender Jurrien Timber might have featured for Arsenal’s U21s earlier in the week following his return from a long-term knee injury, the ex-Ajax star is not expected to be part of Arteta’s travelling squad. The Gunners have no fresh injury issues or suspensions to worry about ahead of Sunday’s north London derby.

Bagging a brace against former club Chelsea earlier in the week and notching 12 goals so far this season, Kai Havertz will once again feature in a false nine role. Now recording four goals in his previous six appearances across all competitions, Leandro Trossard should once again get the nod ahead of Gabriel Martinelli.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Tottenham and Arsenal met for their reverse Premier League battle on September 24th, the bitter north London rivals played out a 2-2 stalemate at the Emirates.
• The Gunners have suffered just a single Premier League defeat from their previous six meetings against Spurs.
• Arsenal have not suffered a single domestic defeat away from the Emirates since opening the New Year.
• Tottenham have won nine of their previous 11 home fixtures across all competitions.
• Spurs have registered just a single clean sheet from any of their last 13 consecutive appearances.

Conclusion

Making a major statement earlier in the week as they stormed their way to a stunning 5-0 romp against Chelsea, Arsenal will be desperate for a repeat performance here. Knowing that they face another must-win showdown on Sunday afternoon, the Gunners will be looking to cash in on a Tottenham squad that have shown some recent issues since returning from March’s international break. Last seen getting hit with a woeful 4-0 drumming away at Newcastle, Spurs’ leaky defence should be bracing themselves for another stern examination this weekend.

Verdict: Arsenal win 

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Olympusbet