Premier League
Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal Preview
Wembley Stadium, London – Arsenal have the chance to close the gap on neighbours Tottenham Hotspur to just a single point when they visit Wembley on Saturday in the Premier League.
The Gunners have reclaimed fourth place thanks to a run of five wins in six Premier League matches, while two successive defeats for their north London rivals means there is a lot more than just bragging rights at stake.
Previous Encounters:
- Tottenham Hotspur have won five of their last seven home Premier League games against Arsenal (D1 L1), including each of the last two.
- Arsenal are looking to complete a Premier League double over rival Spurs for only the fourth time, also doing so in 2004-05, 2007-08 and 2013-14.
- Arsenal ran out 4-2 winners in a thrilling reverse encounter back in December.
View From Both Camps:
Mauricio Pochettino (Tottenham):
“I think the feeling is a little bit weird. It should be that everyone before the start of the season [would] sign to be in the position that we’re in today.”
“I think we’re living in different realities because, with all the circumstances, Tottenham deserve big praise to be in the position that we’re in at this moment of the season.”
“Of course we’re disappointed in the last two results but we need to keep going and trust in our team.”
Unai Emery (Arsenal):
“There were 10 points difference between us and Spurs two weeks ago. Now it’s four points. It is a big motivation.”
“This is a big opportunity for us to play with confidence in our moment, respecting them because they lost two matches but they are still having a very good season.”
Team News:
Tottenham will give fitness tests to Jan Vertonghen and Harry Winks who both have hip injuries. Vertonghen’s was picked up in the build-up to Wednesday’s defeat to Chelsea, where Winks sustained a similar problem.
Dele Alli (hamstring) and Eric Dier (tonsillitis) are both out.
As for the visitors, centre-back Laurent Koscielny is a doubt after picking up a knock late on in Wednesday’s win over Bournemouth.
However, Emery hopes to have experienced right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner back following a hip issue and fellow full-back Ainsley Maitland-Niles is also available after illness.
Predicted Lineups:
Spurs (3-4-1-2): Lloris; Alderweireld, Sanchez, Vertonghen; Trippier, Sissoko, Winks, Davies; Eriksen; Kane, Son.
Arsenal (3-4-3): Leno; Mustafi, Sokratis, Monreal; Lichtsteiner, Torreira, Xhaka, Kolasinac; Mkhitaryan, Aubameyang, Lacazette.
Match Prediction:
Arsenal are the form team going into the match but it is impossible to ignore their recent away record. It is, as ever, a hugely intriguing derby which could go either way. Arsenal will feel confident coming into the match, after arguably their finest performance of the season against Bournemouth. The north London outfit will be hoping for a rare away win against one of the league’s top performing sides. Spurs know they must win if they want to cement their place in the top four and keep a gap between themselves and the chasing pack.
Prediction: Tottenham 1-2 Arsenal
Photo credit to Dickson Dagogo via Flickr
