Arsenal

(Form check: WWDWW)

Arsenal come into this in quite frankly outrageous form, winning seven out of their last eight games, scoring eighteen goals and only conceding five in the process. The football played by this side does take the breath away at times and understandably (as in most seasons) Gunner’s fans are feeling optimistic in one of the closest top table Premier League seasons seen for many years.

Taking many plaudits is Alexis Sanchez, who looks tailor made for the central striking role Arsene Wenger has needed at the club for a while now, he harasses defences, displays a quality passing range and quite simply is lethal when given a sight of goal. Certainly he stands out as one of the top players in the Premier League who can change any game. One man doesn’t make a team though and impressive performances have come from Mesut Ozil, Theo Walcott, Laurent Koscielny and Petr Cech, all of who bind the team’s youthful energy with Premier League experience.

Wenger has only won this fixture twice in the last six outing's so he’ll be eager to fire his team up ahead of the clash. He’s currently sweating on the fitness of Hector Bellerin, Theo Walcott and Nacho Monreal who have all picked up knocks in the previous seven days. This isn’t a game to lose so no doubt Wenger will anchor his field with two hard hitters in Elneny, Coquelin or Xhaka allowing the front four the opportunity to cause havoc in attack.

Tottenham Hotspur

(Form check: WWDDD)

For all the press surrounding Tottenham’s unbeaten start they are hardly setting the world alight. Scoring on average 1.3 goals per game this season and only winning once by a margin of more than one goal are facts that do not inspire me to suggest this team is capable of being title contenders. Especially In recent weeks they are finding it hard to put their heads in front, suggestions maybe that the moral from the mid week Champion’s League loses are affecting their Premier League form.

The loss of Harry Kane to injury has been a big miss for Spurs who only have one other recognisable striker in the club in Vincent Jansson. Other players though are simply not contributing; Christian Eriksen’s currently achieving 2.6 key passes a game (last season’s 3.3), Dele Alli’s winning only 0.2 of aerial duels (last season 1.1) and Erik Lamela finding 1 assist so far (last season 9 total). Some may think I’m being a little harsh, and there’s no doubt that Spurs are a top 8 team but right now Maurico Pochettino has a great deal of work on his hands to allow a little more freedom into his tactics if Tottenham want to progress.

Moussa Sissoko’s suspended for the game and injury doubts remain over Harry Kane, Erik Lamela, Toby Alderwield and Moussa Dembele. The problem resulting in these concerns for Pochettino is that Eric Dier would need to continue in defence, weakening the protection for the back four, leaving only Victor Wanyama as the defensive minded centre midfielder. Dele Alli and Eriksen will need to work hard tracking back whilst Walker and Rose tuck in a little to offer the away team protection.

STATS

• There have been under 2.5 goals scored in Tottenham's last 4 games (Premier League)

• Tottenham’s average age is 1.7 years younger than Arsenal (24.6:26.3)

• Mauricio Pochettino's side are unbeaten in their last four league meetings with Arsenal

• Victor Wanyama has a 89.1% passing completion this season, the best in both teams (Premier League)

• Danny Rose has 4 yellow cards in 6 games! (Premier League)

CURRENT MATCH ODDS (BEST PRICED ODDS)

Arsenal: Evens (Paddy Power) - Bet Here!    Draw: 13/5 (William Hill) - Bet Here!  Tottenham Hotspur: 10/3 (BetFred) - Bet Here!

SUMMING UP!

Arsenal look solid winners for me against a weakened Tottenham Hostpur side. The attacking power the Gunners have at their disposal should inflict plenty of pain on the Spurs fans, I’m hoping for an early goal which opens the game up. If its 0-0 at half time Pochettino and his side will have done 90% of the job, the home fans will go quiet and patience will run out, so Arsenal will need to come out of the blocks quicker than Usain Bolt!

MY RECOMMENDED BETS (BEST PRICED ODDS)

• Arsenal to win 3-0 (Best Priced 18/1 Betfair) - Bet Here!

• (Half Result) DRAW/DRAW (Best Priced 5/1 BetVictor) - Bet Here!

• Penalty to be awarded (Best Priced 11/4 Bet365) - Bet Here!

• Danny Rose to be booked (Best Priced 5/2 Unibet) - Bet Here!

New Account Offer

Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply

Click to Claim