Saturday lunchtime sees one of the most important London derbies in recent years as Tottenham play Arsenal in their temporary home at Wembley. Mauricio Pochettino’s side lost to Arsenal earlier on in the season, but have played well recently, while Arsenal continue to be inconsistent, winning 5-1 against Everton last weekend, but that came after a defeat to Swansea.
Aside from the fact that it’s a derby game, this game is crucial for both sides as they sit fifth and sixth in the league. Spurs are in fifth place, just one point behind Chelsea, but lead Arsenal by four. Pochettino’s side are on an excellent run of form, unbeaten in six Premier League games, but unlike their rivals, they played an FA Cup replay in midweek, beating Newport County 2-0.
Former Borussia Dortmund duo Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hit the ground running for the Gunners against Everton last weekend. However, it’s always difficult to judge Arsenal as they’re an inconsistent side and have a poor record against their rivals. This game will see whether they’re rejuvenated to a point where they can take on the other big teams in the league, or whether it’s just the same as before.
Tottenham vs. Arsenal Predictions
As always, derby games are incredibly difficult to predict, but Spurs are good value at evens and they do look the safer team to bet on. Arsenal’s transfer business in January suggest they’ll score goals, but they’ll also concede too, which is particularly worrying when Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son are in the opposition. Expect some goals and a narrow home victory in this one.
Tottenham vs. Arsenal Betting Tips
- Tottenham to win: Evens
- Draw: 14/5
- Arsenal to win: 5/2
- Harry Kane to score first: 3/1
- Over 3.5 total goals: 5/4
Head to Head
- Spurs have lost just one of their last seven Premier League games against Arsenal (W2 D4), although that defeat came earlier this season, losing 2-0 at the Emirates.
- Arsenal are aiming to win both home and away against their north London rivals in the Premier League for just the fourth time in the same season, doing so previously in 2004/05, 2007/08 and 2013/14.
- This is the first meeting between Spurs and Arsenal at Wembley since April 1993, when they met in an FA Cup semi-final, with Arsenal winning 1-0 from a Tony Adams goal.
- Indeed, Spurs have failed to score in either of their last two games against Arsenal at Wembley (also 0-0 in the Charity Shield in August 1991), last doing so in their 3-1 win in the 1991 FA Cup semi-final, with goals from Paul Gascoigne and a brace from Gary Lineker.
- This fixture has seen both sides score in the game on 34 occasions in the Premier League, more than any other fixture in the competition. However, there has been a clean sheet in the last two meetings (one each). The last time this fixture went three successive games without both teams scoring was back in December 1991 (a run of four, league only).
- Tottenham have dropped 37 points from leading positions in Premier League games against Arsenal, more than any team has against another in the competition’s history.
- Arsenal have won more Premier League London derbies away from home (52) and in total (121) than any other side in the competition.
- Spurs have won 28 of a possible 39 points in home games at Wembley Stadium this season, dropping 11. In the whole of 2016/17, they dropped just four points at White Hart Lane, winning 53/57.
- Harry Kane has scored six goals in six Premier League games against Arsenal, only failing to score in one of those games, the reverse fixture this season. The England striker has scored four times in three home Premier League games against Arsenal.
- Harry Kane has scored 21 goals in 32 Premier League London derby matches, averaging 0/66 goals per game. Of players to have played 20+ London derbies in the Premier League, only Thierry Henry has a better ratio (0.73 – 43 goals in 59 apps).
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored four goals in four previous appearances against Totteham Hotspur in all competitions, once in the Champions League (2 games) and three goals in the Europa League (2 games).
- Henrikh Mkhitaryan has assisted three goals in 120 minutes of Premier League action for Arsenal so far, the same tally that Alexis Sanchez managed in 1507 minutes of action for the Gunners in 2017/18.
Tottenham Team News
Toby Alderweireld made a return to action against Newport in midweek and could start again on Saturday. Victor Wanyama came off the bench last weekend and could do so again at Wembley, while Mousa Dembele and Eric Dier are also in contention. Lucas Moura is unlikely to be included as his fitness is being managed after joining from PSG.
Tottenham Starting XI: Hugo Lloris, Kieran Trippier, Davinson Sanchez, Jan Vertonghen, Ben Davies, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen, Heung-Min Son, Harry Kane
Arsenal Team News
Arsene Wenger could be without Petr Cech who was forced off with a calf injury in last week’s 5-1 victory over Everton. Nacho Monreal also departed early, but looks likely to return to the starting team as he’s recovered from illness.
Arsenal Starting XI: Petr Cech, Hector Bellerin, Laurent Koscielny, Shkodran Mustafi, Nacho Monreal, Aaron Ramsey, Granit Xhaka, Mesut Ozil, Alex Iwobi, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
