Match of the Week: North London Derby (02-02-2015)

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This weekend one of the traditional English football derbies is taking place in North London, when two sides in great form clashes in the North London Derby.


Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal
Premier League
White Hart Lane
07-02-2014 @ 12.45 UK









How are the two sides form?

Spurs are current 4th in the Premier League after a great start to the season. The North Londoners have only lost one of their six last matches and are unbeaten at White Hart Lane in the same number of matches. Striker Harry Kane, whom today signed a new contract with Spurs, is the top scorer with ten goals so far this season.

Arsenal are on fire at the moment and are currently 2nd in the Premier League after smashing Aston Villa with a 5-0 victory at Emirates Saturday. The Gunners have lost one of their last six matches, however, the current away form shows two losses and a draw during the last six matches. The summer signing Alexis Sanchez is the teams top scorer with 12 goals so far this season. 

What are the probable line ups?

Nabil Bentaleb is currently the only player doubtful for Spurs match against Arsenal. In the other end of the pitch it looks much worse; Mikel Arteta, Mathieu Debuchy, Diaby, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jack Wilshere are all out of the match. At the same time, Sanchez and Danny Welbeck are rated doubtfully.

Lloris

Walker - Fazio - Vertonghen - Rose

Mason - Stambouli

Eriksen - Kane - Chadli

Soldado
________________________________

Giroud

Ozil - Cazorla - Ramsey - Sanchez

Coquelin

Monreal - Mertesacker - Koscielny - Bellerin

Ospina

Worth keeping an eye on

Harry Kane - Tottenham Hotspur: The secondary striker keeps impressing in the Premier League and shines in his play with Christian Eriksen and Nacer Chadli. With the support of the front man, Roberto Soldado, Kane is a dangerous weapon for Spurs.




 Francis Coquelin - Arsenal: The defensive midfielder was brought back from loan in Charlton Athletic and has immediately taken the 6'er position in Arsenal. Coquelin has proved that he can take over for Arteta and control the defensive midfield. It will be his job to keep an eye on Chadli, Kane and Eriksen.


What to expect from this match?


The North London Derby is a classic in English football, and goals are guaranteed. The last ten matches between the two sides have had at least one goal, and most Spurs fans want to forget the two matches in 2012 when Arsenal won 5-2 at Emirates. However, this match is played at White Hart Lane, and Spurs are unbeaten at home. That said, The Arsenal offensive is a constant threat to any Premier League defense and they will be a handful for Spurs. At the same time, Eriksen is the form of his life and can be the player who will win this match for Spurs.

What are the odds?

 Tottenham Hotspur: 5/2 (StanJames)

Draw: 11/4 (StanJames)

 Arsenal: 6/5 (BetFred)





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Match Preview: The North London Derby

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By Paul Lipscombe

This weekend sees the first North London derby of the season as Tottenham travel to the Emirates to take on bitter rivals Arsenal.

The season has started slowly for both teams, although Arsenal remain unbeaten going into the game. Although they fielded a weakened side in midweek in their home League cup loss to Southampton,  a comfortable 3-0 win away to Aston Villa last weekend will give them confidence after a slow start. New deadline day signing Danny Welbeck found the net in that victory, which was his first in Arsenal colours.

Tottenham on the other hand have failed to win any of their last three league games, with a lacklustre home defeat to West Brom last weekend to a side who had previously been winless. Spurs have played better away from home in recent years away from their expectant White Hart Lane crowd.
The game itself should be an exciting one, with recent meetings bringing plenty of goals and drama. Arsenal had the better of the games last season, winning 1-0 home and away in two tight affairs. They also had the better of Spurs in the FA Cup winning comfortably 2-0 at the Emirates. Spurs’ last victory at the old enemy was in November 2010 when current captain Younes Kaboul scored a late winner as Spurs came from two goals down to win 3-2.

Arsenal still have Theo Walcott out injured along with both striker Olivier Giroud and full back Mathieu Debuchy out for the next few months. Spurs’ only notable absentee is Kyle Walker who is still out with a hip injury. Full back Benoit Assou-Ekotto is suspended for the game due to an outburst on Twitter.

Both sides were heavily changed during the week in their League Cup ties, with both teams to field their strongest possible eleven. For Mauricio Pochettino it will be his first taste of a North London derby, whilst for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger it will be his 43rd  in which he has only lost six.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Spurs (That’s being kind to Spurs)

Last Five meetings in the Premier League.
Spurs 0-1 Arsenal (March 2014)
Arsenal 1-0 Spurs (September 2013)
Spurs 2-1 Arsenal (March 2013)
Arsenal 5-2 Spurs (November 2012)

Arsenal 5-2 Spurs (February 2012)
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