Tottenham welcome neighbours Arsenal for the first north London derby of the season with their campaigns going in very different directions so far. Spurs are looking to continue their title charge whilst their once superior rivals will be desperate to end a run that has seen them win just one of their last six Premier League games.
It’s tough to see Arsenal getting a result here. The Gunners have not won away at their rivals since 2014 and have lost four out of the six games since. Let’s also not forget that Jose Mourinho loves a derby, and he’ll want to teach Mikel Arteta a thing or two about how to play pragmatic football. Anything can happen in this fixture, however, and both teams will be looking to this game as a chance to build some momentum going into the Christmas period.
Here’s our best bets for Sunday’s 4.30pm kick-off.
Harry Kane to score first
There’s plenty of firepower on show here but it’s difficult to look past Harry Kane to score first. The local boy is in typically strong form this season, with seven goals so far, and is the joint leading scorer in this fixture with 10 goals. He will no doubt have his eyes set on surpassing Emmanuel Adebayor and Bobby Smith to claim the record outright.
Both Teams To Score – No
Arsenal have had real struggles in front of goal with season with only relegation candidates West Brom, Burnley and Sheffield United finding the net less than the 10 they’ve managed so far. No sooner did the ink dry on his new contract did the goals begin to dry up for star man Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. He’s netted just twice this season, his blistering pace apparently slowed down by the sheer weight of his reported £350,000 a week wages.
Spurs currently have the best defensive record in the league, conceding just 9 goals, and that’s even after you consider that one of those came from an extremely dodgy Newcastle penalty and three others against West Ham in a remarkable 10 minute fightback from their London rivals. It’s difficult to see Arsenal succeeding where many other teams have failed and so Both Teams Not To Score looks to be good value here.
Son Heung-Min to score anytime
Arsenal’s defence will not be relishing the chance to face a man who has scored nine in 10 for Spurs this season. Son has looked unstoppable at times this season and his partnership with Kane has blown many a team away. He scored the last time these two met and is good value to continue his recent form against an Arsenal team low on confidence and ideas.
Hector Bellerin to be Carded
The North London Derby is always a fiery fixture, and you’d expect both sides to look to land a few heavy tackles on their rivals. Bellerin has picked up four yellow cards so far this season, the most of any player on either side, and looks good value to add to his tally here given that Arsenal look set to spend most of the game on the back foot.
* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
Spurs v Arsenal Tips
• Harry Kane First Goal Scorer
• Both Teams To Score – No
• Son Heung-Min to score anytime
• Hector Bellerin to be carded
MORE TOP TIPS FOR SUNDAY
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