The lunch-time kick off this Saturday sees Arsenal take on Tottenham Hotspur in what is, even at this early stage of the season, a must win game for both teams in the pursuit of the 4th Champions league qualifying spot.
The North London Derby has produced a glut of goals in recent campaigns, especially at the Emirates Stadium where this fixture has seen 12 goals scored in the last two meetings, and I’d expect a similarly entertaining encounter at the weekend.
| Head to Head – Last 4 matches |
| Arsenal |
5 |
2 |
Tottenham Hotspur |
26/02/2012 |
| Tottenham Hotspur |
2 |
1 |
Arsenal |
02/10/2011 |
| Tottenham Hotspur |
3 |
3 |
Arsenal |
20/04/2011 |
| Arsenal |
2 |
3 |
Tottenham Hotspur |
20/11/2010 |
Arsenal’s 3-3 draw with Fulham on Saturday should have given Andre Villas- Boas an inclination to go for an all out attack policy for this match, rather than score a goal and then meekly lose 2-1, as Spurs did away at Manchester City on Sunday.
The frailty of Arsene Wenger’s defence and the desperation for both clubs to claim 3 points (Arsenal currently lie in a worrying 8th position while Spurs sit one above them in 7th) should result in an open game, full of goal scoring opportunities.
This is a very difficult game to call a winner on, something reflected in the generous odds from most bookmakers for an Arsenal home win – 1.95 euro odds, 19/20 normal odds. The best value for this match would be to go for an over 3.5 goals outcome at 2.62 euro odds, 13/8 normal odds.
Spurs’ top goal scorer, Jermaine Defoe, who was mystifyingly rested for the trip to Eastlands in an attempt for Tottenham to play a more counter-attacking style against the Champions, should definitely be restored to the line-up by Villas-Boas.
The Gunners have looked very fragile when teams attack them from the first whistle; as seen in the game versus Manchester United at Old Trafford when they were lucky not to conceded 5 or 6 goals. Villas-Boas must surely expose this and try to alter the momentum of Tottenham’s season; if he does throw caution to the wind with an attacking team selection, then we are likely to witness another enthralling goal-strewn Premier League classic.
Premier League
Arsenal – Tottenham, Saturday, 17 Nov 2012, 13:45
20 points over 3.5 goals, best odds 2.63 @ ladbrokes
or bet £10 Risk Free at Skybet
