North London Derby Preview: Tottenham vs Arsenal

The Premier League returns from the international break with a bang as Tottenham Hotspur host Arsenal in the North London derby on Sunday, September 15, 2024. The match kicks off at 2:00 PM BST (9:00 AM ET) at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Current Form

Tottenham Hotspur are currently experiencing a challenging run of form, sitting in 10th place in the Premier League table. Over their last six matches, they have secured only two wins, one draw, and suffered three losses, with a total of 11 goals scored and 11 conceded, averaging 1.83 goals per game.

Their most recent match ended in a 2-1 defeat against Newcastle United, highlighting defensive vulnerabilities as they have conceded in four of their last six matches.
Despite some attacking prowess, with players like Heung-Min Son and Dejan Kulusevski contributing goals, consistency remains an issue, as evidenced by their overall performance this season, which includes three wins, one draw, and four losses from eight matches played.

Arsenal: Arsenal are currently in strong form, sitting second in the Premier League table with 25 points from 10 matches. Over their last six games, they have recorded five wins and one loss, scoring 21 goals while conceding only six, which gives them an impressive goal difference of +15.

Their recent performances include a solid 2-0 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers, showcasing their defensive resilience and attacking capabilities.
With an average of 2.33 points per game over the last ten matches, Arsenal remains one of the top-performing teams in the league, demonstrating consistency and competitiveness as they aim to challenge for the title this season.

Team News

Tottenham:

• Dominic Solanke and Micky van de Ven may return from injury.
• Richarlison is expected to be unavailable.

Arsenal:

• Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori are doubtful after picking up knocks on international duty.
• Declan Rice is suspended.
• Gabriel Jesus is dealing with a groin issue.
• Mikel Merino, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Kieran Tierney are injured.

Key Players

Son Heung-Min (Tottenham): The South Korean star has an impressive record against Arsenal, with 8 goals in 19 appearances. He’ll be crucial to Spurs’ attacking threat.

Bukayo Saka (Arsenal): Arsenal’s talisman has contributed a goal or assist in all three of their matches this season. His form could be pivotal to the Gunners’ success.

Tactical Battle

Postecoglou’s Tottenham have shown a commitment to possession-based football, while Arteta’s Arsenal are known for their fluid attacking play. The midfield battle will be crucial, especially with Rice suspended for Arsenal.

Recent Head-to-Head

In their recent encounters, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have shown contrasting forms, with Arsenal maintaining a strong performance while Tottenham struggles. The last match between the two ended in a 2-2 draw on September 24, 2023, showcasing Arsenal’s resilience despite their recent unbeaten streak being halted by Brighton.
Arsenal has been solid overall, currently sitting second in the Premier League and demonstrating a strong defensive record with six clean sheets in their last ten matches.
In contrast, Tottenham is experiencing difficulties, currently positioned 10th in the league, having lost three of their last six games, including a recent defeat to Newcastle. Historically, Arsenal holds the upper hand in their head-to-head record, winning 17 out of 38 encounters compared to Tottenham’s 11 victories.

Predictions

Bookmakers slightly favor Arsenal, giving them a 55.8% chance of winning compared to Tottenham’s 22.6%. However, the derby nature of the match and home advantage for Spurs could make this a closely contested affair.

Most predictions suggest a tight game with goals for both sides. A common scoreline prediction is 2-1 in favor of Arsenal.

How to Watch

In the UK, the match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, and Sky Sports Ultra HDR. Coverage begins at 1:00 PM BST.

Referee

The match will be officiated by Jarred Gillett, with Stuart Attwell as VAR.

This North London derby promises to be a thrilling encounter that could have significant implications for both teams’ seasons. With the mix of new signings, tactical approaches, and the fierce rivalry between these two sides, football fans are in for a treat.