In what will be the final North London derby at the White Hart Lane, Tottenham Hotspur will be keen to avoid a defeat against Arsenal and finish the curse of the so-called St. Totteringham’s Day. Anything other than a loss would mean Spurs will finish above Arsenal for the first time in 22 years. The Gunners need all three points to stay in line to qualify for the top four and the draw in the recent Manchester derby has raised their hopes.
Both the teams have added advantage to cause serial damage to one another when they meet on Sunday. Spurs can put a dent on Arsenal’s Champions League hopes with a win whereas the Gunners can end Spurs’ title challenge once and for all. With so much on the line, a feisty affair is expected with goals and fouls guaranteed.
Team News
Arsenal and Spurs have injury concerns ahead of tomorrow’s encounter. For the hosts, Mousa Dembele is doubtful and Danny Rose is unlikely to be fit. Erik Lamela and Harry Winks still remain on the sidelines but Michael Vorm is fit again and will deputise for Hugo Lloris.
For the Gunners, Laurent Koscielny is a doubt after suffering a knee injury in their last game against Leicester City. The likes of Shkodran Mustafi, Santi Cazorla, David Ospina and Lucas Perez are the long term absentees for the visitors.
Form guide
Pochettino will be pleased going into this derby than his counterpart, Arsene Wenger. The Lilywhites are unbeaten in the league since February and are haven’t lost to their neighbours in five games. They also have won their last eight league matches which makes them the favourites for tomorrow.
The Gunners can take pride in the fact that they have scored a goal at the Lane in the last 22 of the 23 North London derbies. Arsenal are on a good run currently, winning their last three league games and also qualifying for the FA Cup final.
Tottenham Hotspur: W-W-W-W-W-W
Arsenal: L-D-W-L-W-W
Predicted lineups
Spurs – Lloris, Dier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies, Walker, Wanyama, Eriksen, Alli, Son, Kane
Arsenal – Cech, Holding, Koscielny, Gabriel, Nacho, Xhaka, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Sanchez, Giroud
Predicted score
Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Arsenal
Odds
Spurs win – 5/6
Arsenal win – 29/10
Draw – 29/10