A feisty north London derby awaits as Arsenal travel the short distance to White Hart Lane to take on their fiercest rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the north London derby this weekend. Both teams ruined their chances of catching up with league leaders Leicester City in midweek, losing their games to Swansea City and West Ham respectively.
With just 10 games left in the season, every point counts. And a win in this game would not only give the team bragging rights in north London but also give them a psychological edge in the title race. Arsenal have always finished above Tottenham in the Premier League and, for a change, it is the Gunners who are the underdogs in this match.
The reverse fixture at the Emirates ended in a 1-1 draw in November when Kieran Gibbs cancelled out a Harry Kane goal in the second half. What lies in store in this game?
Kickoff and Telecast
Date and Time: Saturday, 5 March – 12:45 (18:15 IST)
Live Telecast: Star Sports 4 and Star Sports HD 4
Live Stream: Star Sports
Venue: White Hart Lane
Team News
Tottenham: After losing to West Ham in midweek, Mauricio Pochettino will be inclined to make some changes to the starting lineup. Danny Rose and Kyle Walker could return to the XI with Kieran Trippier and Ben Davies starting from the bench. The impressive Heung-min Son may also be given a start. With Jan Vertonghen still sidelined, Kevin Wimmer will be paired with Toby Alderweireld.
Dele Alli and Mousa Dembele face late fitness tests, although Alli did come on as a substitute at Upton Park. “We need to assess Mousa [on Friday] in the last training session,” Pochettino said. “Maybe it is possible he will be selected.”
Arsenal: With the Gunners not performing up to the level expected of title contenders, Arsene Wenger could be forced to make some key changes in his starting lineup. The biggest miss would be Petr Cech who suffered a muscular injury towards the end of the 1-2 defeat to Swansea in midweek and will be out for 3-4 weeks. David Ospina will start in goal while Laurent Koscielny could also be ruled out with Per Mertesacker coming in.
With Olivier Giroud struggling to find the back of the net and Theo Walcott disappointing when played up front, Wenger could start Danny Welbeck as the main striker with Wednesday night’s lone goalscorer Joel Campbell on the right. Although Alexis Sanchez is also going through a rough patch, it is highly unlikely that he will drop to the bench.
Probable Lineups
Tottenham: Lloris, Walker, Alderweireld, Wimmer, Rose, Dier, Alli, Lamela, Eriksen, Son, Kane
Arsenal: Ospina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Gabriel, Monreal, Ramsey, Coquelin, Campbell, Ozil, Alexis, Welbeck
Form guide
Tottenham’s loss to West Ham was only their fourth of the season and second away from home but they still have a chance to reel in Leicester City in the title race. Pochettino’s men were in a good run of form since mid-January, winning seven games in a row at one stage. However, the last few games have seen a few hiccups.
The Lilywhites were knocked out of the FA Cup by Crystal Palace but they managed to qualify for the Round of 16 in the Europa League where they will face Borussia Dortmund. They will look to recapture their Premier League form prior to the West Ham defeat when they had won the previous six games, including a win over Manchester City at the Etihad.
Last 5 matches: D-L-W-W-L (Last match: West Ham 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur)
Arsenal are in a very poor run of form and have thrown away umpteen chances to get ahead in the title race. They have lost three games in a row (in all competitions) – a first in almost six years.
They lost 2-0 to Barcelona before succumbing 3-2 at Old Trafford and 1-2 at home to Swansea City. In the last 11 games, they have only won thrice against Burnley in the FA Cup and Bournemouth and 10-man Leicester in the Premier League.
Last 5 matches: W-D-L-L-L (Last match: Arsenal 1-2 Swansea City)
Key stats and facts
- Tottenham Hotspur have won their last three EPL matches at White Hart Lane.
- Mesut Ozil currently has 18 assists – two short of the Premier League record held by Thierry Henry. He has been involved in 23 goals in the league this season.
- Olivier Giroud has failed to score in his last 10 matches in all competitions.
- Harry Kane is third on the list of top goalscorers in the EPL with 16 goals this season – three behind leader Jamie Vardy.
Key Battle
Harry Kane vs Per Mertesacker
Although the English striker started the season poorly, not scoring until his ninth game, he has regularly found the back of the net since October. It was Kane who scored the opener in the 1-1 draw at the Emirates earlier this season and he has been a thorn in the Gunners’ flesh since his rise to fame last season. He had also scored a brace in the same fixture last season when Spurs won 2-1.
Kane's runs in behind the defence could be a factor if Arsenal play a high line and Mertesacker will have to be wary of the 22-year-old’s position. He will need help from Hector Bellerin on the right but the last thing they want is the Spanish right-back up front in attack and the Gunners conceding possession allowing Spurs to counter.
Prediction
Pochettino’s side look the hungrier of the two at the momentum and, the loss to West Ham notwithstanding, Spurs look set to clinch three points at the Lane once again. They will also be hurting after losing a League Cup game 1-2 to the Gunners earlier this season and will be out to seek revenge. It is a derby that could decide the title race and the winner could take all.
Predicted score: Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Arsenal
Betting Odds
Tottenham: 11/8
Draw: 12/5
Arsenal: 11/5
