Tottenham vs Arsenal Prediction

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Tottenham vs Arsenal Prediction Match Overview

As part of this weekend’s Premier League predictions, following a brief interlude for the cup competitions we preview Tottenham’s return to Premier League action with a North London Derby against Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Tottenham currently sit fifth in the table, with 33 points after 18 games. They haven’t been playing well in many games recently, and there have been murmurs of discontent against coach Antonio Conte. They did, however, emphatically beat Crystal Palace 4-0 at Selhurst Park in their previous game. Still, their form across the last six is almost as mixed as it gets, with three victories, one draw, and two defeats. A 2-2 draw away to Brentford on Boxing Day and a surprise 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa on New Year’s Day were the lows in that run. They have won six of their nine home league games this season. They have, though, already lost the reverse fixture to Arsenal this season.

Arsenal enter the game flying high as league leaders. Indeed, they have 44 points from 17 games, and a win coupled with a Man City defeat in the Manchester derby would give them an eight-point lead over second place. Arsenal’s only blips this season are a loss at Old Trafford and draws against Southampton and in their previous match against Newcastle. However, this Arsenal team seems made of more potent stuff than teams in the past, and they might be able to stay the course this season even though we aren’t even halfway through yet. They will hope to assert their dominance over Tottenham in this fixture. However, Harry Kane has a good record against them, and they must be mindful of him and Spurs’ other attackers.

Tottenham vs Arsenal Team News

Injuries and Suspensions

Tottenham:

Might Not Play: Bentancur, Bissouma, Richarlison, Kulusevski

Will Not Play: Lucas Moura

Arsenal:

Might Not Play: Nelson

Will Not Play: Jesus

Possible Lineups

Tottenham (3-4-3): Lloris; Romero, Dier, Lenglet; Perisic, Bissouma, Hojbjerg, Doherty; Son, Kane, Kulusevski

Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Ramsdale; Zinchenko, Gabriel, Saliba, White; Xhaka, Partey; Martinelli, Odegaard, Saka; Nketiah

Tottenham vs Arsenal Prediction Analysis

Midfield Battle

The midfield will likely be critical in this contest. Bissouma is questionable for Spurs, but we think he will make it. Sarr is a potential replacement if he cannot make it, as we believe Bentancur will miss this game. Spurs play three at the back under Conte, so the two midfielders have to work very hard and be industrious and diligent in their pressing and passing. This situation is where Bissouma and Hojbjerg must put in a strong performance. They must be wary of the passing ability and energy of Xhaka and Partey. Odegaard is also essential for Arsenal, as he has been in exceptional form this season, registering goals and assists. He plays as a hybrid central midfielder and number 10; his movement around the central areas will be significant. He will find space, and his operating in the gaps between the Spurs’ midfield and defensive lines will be crucial for Arsenal.

Tottenham cannot allow Ogdegaard to work in these spaces. His incisive passing will enable Arsenal to find the wide men and Nketiah and control the match. Bissouma and Hojbjerg must track him and also be careful to cover the spaces when Perisic and Doherty go forward. We expect this to be a feisty match full of ferocious challenges, and there may well be cards for several of the midfielders. Arsenal will likely have more possession as Conte prefers to play on the counter-attack. However, we don’t expect Arsenal to be as ball-dominant as they would against a team lower down the table.

Width and Attacking

The flanks will also be critical. Both teams have very tricky and pacey players out wide. Indeed, Spurs look to the flying Perisic and Doherty to offer overlaps and disguises for the Spurs wide men. We expect those players to be Son and Kulusevski. The latter is returning from injury, so he may not be risked by Conte from the start. If he isn’t, then Gil could continue to start. Regardless, Tottenham have an abundance of quality in these wide positions. Son and Kulusevski’s pace and ability to make their way into the box to cross for Kane or shoot are dangerous weapons. Kane tends to play well against Arsenal, and he will be hoping to find spaces in the box where he can test Ramsdale. Kane’s ability to drop deep as an auxiliary playmaker could confuse Saliba and Gabriel in the heart of the Arsenal defence. This movement would create spaces for Son and Kulusevski to exploit from Kane’s pinpoint passing from deeper areas. Spurs are light on the bench with Richarlison and Moura out. However, Sessegnon or Spence could provide more attacking impetus later in the game.

Arsenal, too, have many threats. They are weaker up front with Jesus out and playing Nketiah. However, Martinelli and Saka are extreme threats on the wings. They have the trickery and ability to either go outside or come inside and shoot. The marauding Zinchenko will ably support Martinelli. Indeed, Arsenal will look to play the ball quickly from side to side using Odegaard, Partey, and Xhaka. This intensity will allow them to disrupt the Tottenham shape and enable them to find gaps out wide. Odegaard, as mentioned, is in great form and is vital in this match. His passing could really open up spaces in the Spurs defence. If he can find joy in dangerous areas, he can create chances for the wingers and Nketiah. Tomiyasu and Tierney are possible replacements in full-back areas to offer more dynamism later in the game.

Beat the Bookmaker Tottenham vs Arsenal Prediction

This match is a difficult one to predict. On the one hand, Arsenal are flying high and have only dropped points in three of their seventeen games this season. Alternatively, Tottenham have a decent record at home against Arsenal and will be buoyed following their convincing win against Crystal Palace. Form often goes out of the window in this fixture, and the home team tends to do well. Therefore, Arsenal would probably be happy with a point and continuing their unbeaten run in the league. They will closely monitor what happens in the Manchester derby the day before, which may affect their tactics. They might be more cautious if Man City lose. Spurs will want to put on a great display before their fans and upset Arsenal’s momentum in the title race. Therefore, we expect an aggressive encounter with both teams giving their maximum. We anticipate a high-scoring draw here.

Tottenham 2-2 Arsenal

Beat the Bookmaker Tottenham vs Arsenal Prediction – Draw Odds: