Tottenham: League Position: 6th, League Form: LLWWW
After playing the Premier League’s top two in their opening two matches, Tottenham have started to show their true colours over recent weeks. The 4-0 victory over Liverpool showcased the best of their high tempo, attacking game, and has restored confidence.
Apart from their return to form Manager Harry Redknapp must be delighted with how his summer acquisitions have settled. ‘Keeper Brad Friedel looks as comfortable as his experience would have lead us to expect, whilst Scott Parker and Emmanuel Adebayor have slotted in and performed from day one. On top of that, Luka Modric has settled back into his game after the on/off transfer saga of the summer.
More than enough incentive is on offer this weekend. There is the chance to open a five point gap on a top four rival, but probably more importantly for the fans, there is the opportunity to further demoralise North London rivals Arsenal after their poor start.
Arsenal: League Position: 13th, League Form: LLWLW
Make or break for Arsenal? A defeat here leaves them five points short of Tottenham, and then, if each team takes three points this weekend, a possible six points behind Liverpool, nine behind Chelsea and 12 behind Manchester United and Manchester City. The title would already look to be slipping away from them, whilst they can ill afford to give away such a deficit in the battle for Champions League football.
Victories against Shrewsbury, Bolton and Olympiakos in their last three games has done little to inspire confidence, and came without the Arsenal swagger of previous seasons.
Arsene Wenger’s side have won only four of their last 17 league games, and are winless in seven away league matches. What their frail defence does not need right now is a physical, pacey and vengeful striker waiting to attack them. Enter Adebayor.
However, the victory here would lift the whole club, force them back into form and put them in reach of their rivals, whilst leapfrogging Tottenham. The game should be open, there were eleven goals in the two league fixtures last season, which could lend itself to both sides styles.
Match Prediction: Tottenham Win – 2.2 William Hill
Premier League history has Arsenal as the dominant force in North London football, but the arrival of Harry Redknapp on Spurs has helped swing the pendulum to a more level playing field. In fact, last season Arsenal took only a point from the two league games these sides played. Since Harry Redknapp joined Tottenham, Spurs have won two, drawn three and lost two of the seven meetings in all competitions.
Tottenham’s attacking options are playing with more confidence than Arsenal’s, their midfield looks in perfect balance whilst Arsene’s men miss key components due to injury and the defence, especially centre back pairing of King and Dawson, is far more trusted than Arsenal’s.
The figure of Adebayor will loom over this fixture too. Returning to play against Arsenal for the team he once dominated so many times when in red. Eight Arsenal goals in nine North London derbies, can he perform on this fierce stage again, and become only the second man to score for both of the sides in this derby’s history. The Tottenham alternative could come from Van Der Vaart, how has three goals in two outings in this fixture.
Highlighted bets
Over/Under: Over 2.5 Goals – 1.68 188Bet
First Goalscorer: Emmanuel Adebayor – 6.00 Bet 365
Correct Score: 3-2 Tottenham Win – 26.00 Bet Fred
Both Teams To Score: 1.57 Coral
First to Score for Their Team: Robin Van Persie – 4.33 Bet 365
Anytime Goalscorer Double: Adebayor and Van Persie – 6.5 William Hill
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