Tottenham vs Arsenal Preview: Team News & Prediction
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This is a massive North London Derby and perhaps one of the most eagerly anticipated clashes between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal in quite a while.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / USA – USA Network & Telemundo
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – Hulu+
Tottenham preview: New look for Spurs
Since Tottenham Hotspur last played, a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United, the club have finally realised they are actually in a relegation battle and parted company with Thomas Frank, replacing him with former Juventus boss Igor Tudor.
The Croat is known for making an immediate impact at clubs, as he did with Juve last season, and he has done good work, generally, in most of his recent jobs in trying circumstances at both Hellas Verona and Olympique de Marseille.
Arsenal preview: Nervy, stumbling Gunners
Arsenal are wobbling. The gap is five points but Manchester City have a game-in-hand as well as being able to welcome the Gunners to the Etihad Stadium in the spring and Mikel Arteta’s Gunners are beginning to feel the pinch.
After dropping points away at Brentford about a week and a half ago, Arsenal gave up a 2-0 lead against Wolverhampton Wanderers in midweek, sharing a 2-2 draw with the Championship-bound midlands club.
Tottenham team news: No one back
Igor Tudor suggested he does not expect any of the currently injured Spurs players to return for this one, while Dominic Solanke is a doubt despite returning to training after illness.
Predicted XI (3-4-1-2): Vicario; Palhinha, Dragusin, Van de Ven; Spence, Gray, Gallagher, Souza; Simons; Kolo Muani, Tel
Unavailable: Romero (Suspended), Danso (Injured), Davies (Injured), Porro (Injured), Udogie (Injured), Bentancur (Injured), Bergvall (Injured), Maddison (Injured), Kudus (Injured), Kulusevski (Injured), Odobert (Injured), Richarlison (Injured)
Questionable: Spence (Fitness), Solanke (Illness)
Arsenal team news: Odegaard & Havertz could return
In his pre-match press conference, Mikel Arteta has confirmed that attacking midfield duo Kai Havertz and Marin Odegaard could return; suggesting it is a 'big possibility'.
The expectation is that Bukayo Saka returns to the wing for this one, while their only other confirmed injury absentees include Mikel Merino and Max Dowman.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Unavailable: Merino (Injured), Dowman (Injured)
Questionable: Odegaard (Injured), Havertz (Injured)
Tottenham vs Arsenal prediction
Arsenal are still favourites for all four competitions that they are in but the chances of them winning a quadruple with the way in which they are playing at the moment seem very slim. Spurs will hope that their new era can propel them away from danger but it has to be said that they have taken a risk and a step into the unknown as they try and move away from the bottom three. A low-scoring, nervy derby day is in store at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Tottenham vs Arsenal tip: Under 2.5 goals
