English Premier League - North London Derby Preview and Betting Tips

  • In Charles Meshell
  • Sun, Dec 2nd, 2018 12:30:35 am
  • By Charles Meshell - ROI Capper


Preview and predictions for the North London Derby, as Arsenal faces off with Tottenham.

English Premier League North London Derby

The English Premier League is set to host one of the biggest days in its early season. The EPL scheduled triple derby day takes place this Sunday, with plenty of interest, as these long standing rivalries will be played out for all to witness. 

Match week 14 started off with bang on Friday, after Wolves took a 0-1 lead in at halftime, Cardiff City stormed back with 2 improbable second half goals of their own, to snatch all three points and send their fellow newcomers home with yet another defeat.

Saturday was filled with it's own set of story-lines, league leaders Manchester City captured a 3-1 victory over a valiant Bournemouth side, while Manchester United traveled to the south coast, and only managed a draw against bottom of the table side Southampton to wrap up the pulsating day of action.



Arsenal vs Tottenham 
The Emirates, London, England 
12-02-2018 - 9:05 am ET - NBC-SN


The North London Derby is the true showcase on Sunday afternoon. One of the longest standing rivalries in club football, these English giants have no love lost when matched up with one another. 

Arsenal will start the match day having had the most success between these two teams, compiling a overall record of 81-51-63 in their last 195 meetings. The Gunners have been especially tough while on their own pitch, failing to taste defeat in their last 8 encounters in all competitions. 

The hosts have more than just pride to play for on Sunday. Presently positioned in the 5th spot of the EPL table, the Gunners could swap positions with Spurs and make their long awaited return towards Champions League qualifications.

Unai Emery continues to get rave reviews during his first season with the club. After replacing Arsene Wenger this past Summer, the Spanish head man has went straight to work instituting his winning brand of football. 

Emery now gets his first taste of the North London Derby. The former Sevilla man brings his side in riding a 18 match unbeaten streak in all competitions, which includes 11 consecutive domestic fixtures without tasting defeat.

The Gunners must get out to a fast start against this lethal Tottenham side. Arsenal have struggled to hit the back of the net during the first 45 minutes of league play, with only 7 of their total 28 goals being posted in the first half, there must be a concerted effort to reverse that trend starting immediately.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be the home sides top threat to get that elusive early goal, the Gabonese tally's man seems to be gaining steam as the campaign progresses. With Alexandre Lacazette sidelined with a nagging injury, Aubameyang has stepped back into his natural role as a dedicated number nine and has rewarded the Gunners with 8 goals scored in just 8 shots on target.

Mesut Özil must also step up and have a classy performance. The eccentric midfielder has struggled with consistency from week to week. His play-making abilities will be required to help unlock a well organized Tottenham back-line, who will be content to keep Özil from creating space and finding the open man streaking in front of goal.

Arsenal will be without the services of Konstantinos Mavropanos, Danny Welbeck, Nacho Monreal, Laurent Koscielny and possibly Alexandre Lacazette who will be a game time decision. Each have filled specific roles while apart of the starting eleven, the Gunners overall depth will be called upon to help lead the Londoners to victory.

Bernd Leno is also set to get his first introduction into the Londoner's rivalry. The German keeper has slowly cemented his spot in the normal rotation. After Petr Cech went down with a early season injury, the former Bayer Leverkusen man stepped in and has failed to relinquish the spot, giving the Gunner's a sure handed shot blocker in between the sticks.

Tottenham make the short trip to the Emirates in superb form. Spurs have won 7 of their last 8 away fixtures and 5 straight matches in all competitions, giving them plenty of motivation to keep these impressive streaks alive.

Mauricio Pochettino has evolved as one of the best managers in Europe, although he has had a terrible time getting positive results while on Arsenal's home pitch. Having failed to grab all three points at the Emirates while apart of the Spurs organization, Sunday afternoon features a great opportunity to reverse his recent misfortunes and start another winning tradition.

Pochettino has recently benefited from the return of many of the teams regular starters. With Christian Eriksen, Deli AlliToby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen all recovering from injuries, his squad now has more flexibility throughout their starting eleven.

Tottenham's overall success still falls on the shoulders of Harry Kane. The Golden Boot winner relishes at the opportunity to play his cross town rivals. The talented danger-man has scored in 6 of the last 7 meetings with the Gunners, as his style of play has traditionally been a bad match-up for Arsenal to try and contain. 

Kane will always draw the primary attention of the defense, leaving the likes of Son Heung-Min in favorable positions to excel while moving forward in attack. The South Korean is electric in the open field, and with Tottenham's preference to set the counter attack into motion, keep an eye on the Spurs winger as he looks to make his own mark while a part of this London derby.

Hugo Lloris is no stranger to this upcoming events. The French keeper has long been apart of this ongoing feud, after allowing in 2 goals last season, the veteran net-minder will once again be tested by a confident Arsenal side, who should stop at nothing to get on the final score-line.


Arsenal vs Tottenham

Match Prediction

This match-up should produce non-stop action from the word go, as each side are capable of causing major troubles for their long standing opponents based on each others specific styles of play.

Arsenal are an aggressive bunch, wanting to impose their will on the match. They may want to test Tottenham's back-end, who have issues with committing reckless fouls, where they can pick up a handful of direct free kicks and even a shout for a penalty. The Gunners also possess plenty of individual talent in the final third of the pitch, where Spurs have been challenged to keep skillful players in front of them, which can lead to pin-point shots on target.

Tottenham must continue to run at a steady pace. Spurs love setting the counter attack into motion, where the Gunners are quite poor at getting back and defending such quick striking threats. Arsenal also struggle to keep quality opponents from creating shots on goal. With a front-line comprised of Kane, Alli, Eriksen and on Heung-Min, I see the visitors creating plenty of clear cut chances to light up the score board.

These two clubs have compiled some staggering numbers when placed on the same pitch. Arsenal have scored at least 1 goal in each of their last 22 homes matches against Spurs, while these EPL teams have each scored in 34 combined fixtures.

I expect another classic shoot-out in their 196th meeting. With a average of 26 shots being launched between these two sides, the percentages of each team hitting the back of the net rises considerably.


Arsenal vs Tottenham - Betting Tips

Over 1.25  -110 / 1.91 - Total 1st Half Goals
Both Teams To Score in 1st Half  +245 / 3.45
Arsenal - Team Total Over 1.5  -110 / 1.91 - Goals
Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals  -135 / 1.74


ROI Capper now offers Premier League and all of Europe's Top Football/Soccer Tips @ PicksCity.com

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