Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Tottenham host Arsenal at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday in a massive clash. Spurs can end the weekend on top of the Premier League log and their fans will be back just in time for this North London Derby. Arsenal are completely out of form and have serious problems in the attacking areas so breaking down a Mourinho team won’t be an easy task.

Spurs Form

Mourinho has Spurs in really good form. Their last nine league matches have brought six wins and three draws and they sit top of the table heading into the weekend. After some defensive issues, including throwing away a 3-0 lead against West Ham, Spurs have now kept four shutouts in their last five.

A 2-0 win against City was followed by a 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge. Spurs started well but faded badly and Harry Kane and Son only managed one shot combined in the clash. In Europa League action, Spurs rotated their squad with less than a handful of first-team players playing in their 3-2 win against LASK away.

Spurs Team News

Spurs remain without Toby Alderweireld at centre back fort his game but Mourinho may not trust Joe Rodon again after a couple of errors against Chelsea. Davison Sanchez (played on Thursday) may instead get the nod alongside Eric Dier.

The rest of their team picks itself unless Gareth Bale can force his way into the reckoning having played no minutes against either Man City or Chelsea but got 60 minutes and a penalty against LASK. Lucas Moura may also be considered in place of Steven Bergwijn after two average outings from the Dutchman.

Spurs Motivation

It looks very likely that Tottenham and Mourinho will set up the same way as they as did against Man City and Chelsea, even with 2,000 expectant fans in attendance. A defensively solid approach with Harry Kane dropping off and Son playing high up for counter-attacks is the name of the game. Spurs settled for a draw at Stamford Bridge but may feel they need to attack in the final 30 minutes if the scores are level in this one.

Arsenal Form

Arsenal are in dire form right now and performances may be even worse than results. With one win in their last six in the league, the side currently can’t score goals or keep clean sheets. After 1-0 defeat to Leicester and 1-0 loss to Man City, Arteta’s men got a late 1-0 win at Man Utd.

That proved a false dawn as Aston Villa humiliated them 3-0 and a 0-0 with Leeds with ten men was celebrated. In their last match, Wolves won 2-1 at the Emirates despite losing Raul Jimenez to an early injury. Arsenal huffed and puffed but barely threatened.

Arsenal are doing better in the Europa League against very weak opponents and those results don’t seem to lift confidence or momentum in the league. Arsenal host Rapid Wien on Thursday evening.

Arsenal Team News

Arsenal will still be without Nicolas Pepe for this match on the right flank and such is Willian’s disappointing form that Mikel Arteta may instead plump for Reiss Nelson after a lively showing against Wolves.

In midfield, Thomas Partey is not expected to be fit to return and there is a doubt over David Luiz after the knock he took to the head against Wolves which required him to be taken off at half time.

Arsenal Motivation

Considering their current form, their scoring woes and how Arteta set up in big matches towards the end of last season, a defensive approach may be the order of the day. The coach could even consider reverting to a back five out of possession and a draw would be a great result for The Gunners so don’t expect Arteta to risk defeat with attacking substitutions if things are level in the second half.

Key Stats

Tottenham are on the longest unbeaten run in the PL – 9 matches

Spurs have kept 4 PL clean sheets in a row

Mourinho has never lost a home game to Arsenal as a manager (6W, 4D)              

Harry Kane has scored 10 goals in 11 PL matches against Arsenal

Arsenal have scored 2 goals in their last 6 PL matches

The Gunners have lost 5 of their last 8 PL matches

Arsenal have lost 4 of their last 7 away PL matches

The Gunners have kept 1 clean sheet in their last 9 PL matches

Arsenal have seen BTTS No in 5 of their last 6 PL matches

Prediction

Spurs are big favourites for this match and look the best bet to win, possibly with a clean sheet and Harry Kane goal.

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