The North London derby never fails to deliver, but this one could have huge ramifications for both, with Arsenal seeking to cling onto top spot, will Spurs need to prevent their top four hopes from slipping away.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal match preview
After swatting aside one fierce London rival in mid-week, Arsenal must now beat their nearest and dearest neighbours as they seek to stay above Manchester City, for another week at least.
On Tuesday night, the Gunners claimed their biggest-ever victory in 209 meetings with Chelsea, hammering the beleaguered Blues 5-0.
Leandro Trossard broke the deadlock after just four minutes, before both Benjamin White and Kai Havertz, against his former club of course, bagged second half braces, rubbing salt into gapping wounds.
Earlier this month, Arsenal’s season threatened to completely unravel, beaten in the Premier League for the first time since New Year’s Eve by Aston Villa, before being dumped out the Champions League by Bayern Munich.
However, Mikel Arteta’s team have since bounced back with successive wins, also leaving Molineux victorious last weekend, so remain top, a point clear of Man City, albeit having played a game more.
As the Gunners chase a first Premier League title in 20 years, their fate is out of their own hands, but if they are able to win their remaining four fixtures, they’d only require the champions to slip-up once.
Even with a trip to Old Trafford to come, this is undoubtably Arsenal’s toughest remaining game, so will they come through this North London derby unscathed and still top?
Tottenham Hotspur meantime would love nothing more than to all but end their neighbours’ title dreams, but also require points for their own aspirations.
Ange Postecoglou’s side will be back in action for the first time in 15 days, demolished 4-0 at Newcastle in their last outing, putting in, by some considerable distance, their worst performance since the Australian’s arrival.
So, Spurs have won four of their last eight, also beaten by Wolves and Fulham during this period, struggling for consistency, emphasised by the fact they’ve only enjoyed back-to-back wins once since Christmas.
Although, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has become a real fortress in recent months, winning eight of their last nine at home, including each of the last three.
However, Spurs remain fifth, six points below Aston Villa, albeit with two games in hand, but with a nightmarish fixture list ahead of them, still to face Chelsea (A), Liverpool (A), Burnley (H), Manchester City (H) and Sheffield United (A).
The last two fourth-placed finishers have ended up on 71 points, meaning Postecoglou’s side almost certainly need at least 11 points, if not more, from their six remaining games, which certainly will not be easy.
So, can Tottenham stay in the hunt for Champions League qualification while simultaneously significantly denting their rival’s title chances with victory in this eagerly-anticipated North London derby?
Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal Tips
This is the fixture in Premier League history with the highest ratio of home wins, with 49.2% of North London derbies being won by the home side, including five of the last seven in N17.
However, we are going against the grain and backing Arsenal to leave White Hart Lane with all three points, thereby claiming back-to-back away derby victories for the first time since 1988.
Mikel Arteta’s team have won six of their last seven Premier League away games, keeping six successive clean sheets on the road, one short of the competition record set by Manchester United back in 2008/09.
Also, the Gunners have been imperious against the supposed ‘big six’ so far this season, yielding 16 points from eight matches, yet to taste defeat.
Meanwhile, we’re forecasting goals in this game, not least because Guglielmo Vicario has kept just one clean sheet in 15, while Tottenham have scored at least once in all 16 home league games under Ange Postecoglou.
The last 11 league North London derbies have witnessed 37 goals, an average of 3.36 per 90, so expect another entertaining affair if you’re lucky enough to be watching this one as a neutral.
The reverse fixture in October saw seven yellow cards produced, three for Arsenal and four for Spurs, with both teams receive multiple cards in each of the last three derbies, as well as eight of the last 13 overall.
Under Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham have collected 2+ cards in 71.4% of matches, including each of the last six.
Mikel Arteta’s team meantime have accumulated 2+ cards in each of their last four, doing so in 46% of outings overall.
Meanwhile Cristian Romero is the most-likely recipient of a card, given that he’s been booked six times this season, also sent off against Chelsea, as well as being cautioned in both of his last two appearances against Arsenal.
Cristian Romero to be carded and both teams to receive multiple cards
Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal
More Football Free Bets
Get 30/1 on a Goal to be Scored in Real Madrid v Bayern Munich
:quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/xlmedia/31ed1d86-a42b-4acd-9517-813a526d3a0b.png)
