Tottenham Hotspur vs. Arsenal – Barclays Premier League Preview
Tottenham Hotspur will host their fierce local rivals Arsenal in the highly anticipated North London derby at White Hart Lane on Sunday, October 2, 2011.
Tottenham Hotspur eye fourth consecutive Premier League win
After a horrendous start to the 2011/12 Barclays Premier League campaign, where the Spurs suffered two disappointing defeats against Manchester United and Manchester City, Harry Redknapp’s men have bounced back in a spectacular manner.
The Spurs went to record three consecutive Premier League wins over Wolverhampton Wanderers, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809 and Wigan Athletic.
Looking at Arsenal’s teetering form, Tottenham Hotspur will surely be eyeing all three points and an impressive fourth League win in a row.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429 aim to put an end to the Spurs unbeaten record against them
The Gunners have won only one of the last six derby fixtures. Moreover, Arsene Wenger’s men have also failed to record a victory against the Spurs in the last three Premier League meetings, and the Red and whites will now be aiming to put an end Tottenham’s
unbeaten streak against them.
However, it seems very likely as Arsenal have been clearly struggling since the start of the season and the Gunners will have to go against the odds to get all three points at White Hart Lane.
Arsene Wenger has claimed that the Gunners are confident and motivated for the derby.
Arsenal boss said, “We are highly-focused and motivated and we know that Tottenham are a good side and that it can be a difficult game. But it will be less difficult if we turn up with a great performance.”
Team News
Tottenham Hotspur:
Harry Redknapp will recall a number of his first team players as they were rested for the midweek European fixture against Shamrock http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Rovers-c40385.
Both http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Michael-Dawson-c25288.
Gallas is suffering from a calf injury and will be out of action for one more week, whereas Dawson is currently sidelined due to an Achilles problem and will be back in the first week of November. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Tom-Huddlestone-c35227 will also not feature against the Gunners
as he has been sidelined till December due to an ankle injury.
Arsenal:
Arsene Wenger will be without the services of a number of his first team players. Four of Arsenal central defenders: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Johan-Djourou-c18779 and Sebastien Squillaci, are expected to miss the trip to White Hart Lane.
Vermaelen has been ruled out for four weeks after sustaining an Achilles problem. Koscielny is suffering from ankle injury whereas Djourou is nursing his hamstring.
However, Squillaci has a slight chance of making it to the squad for the North London derby.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Per-Mertesacker-c29680 in the heart of Arsenal’s defence in the recent fixture and Wenger is likely to field the same line-up against Tottenham Hotspur.
Moreover, Walcott and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gervinho-c14755 both missed the last European fixture and are doubtful for this outing.
Probable Line-up:
Tottenham Hotspur
First team: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Emmanuel-Adebayor-c12526.
Substitution: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jake-Livermore-c17604, Sandro, Thomas Carroll, Gio Dos Santos.
Arsenal
Starting XI: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Andrei-Arshavin-c5771.
Substitution: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Santos-c32532.
Prediction:
The North London derby has always produced some unpredictable results. Tottenham Hotspurs will be favourites to stretch their unbeaten record over their cross-town rivals.
Final Predicted score: 2-2 draw.
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