Tottenham are set to host the latest edition of the North London Derby, as Arsenal comes here with their title challenge on the line.
Ange Postecoglou was optimistic ahead of this latest edition of the North London Derby. The big question posed to the Australian was whether Tottenham went into this clash with the idea of winning for their top-four ambitions or to stop Arsenal in their title charge.
Postecoglou admitted the emotion of wanting to halt the Gunners’ charge but remained grounded on Spurs’ ambitions. Either way, this is a cracker of a game, with Tottenham not playing football for a while while Arsenal have played around four games.
🎙️ “We understand the importance of the game. Ultimately it’s about us measuring ourselves against the teams we want to challenge on a more consistent basis.”
Ange’s thoughts ahead of Sunday ⤵️
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 26, 2024
The last time out when Spurs played a game, they were hammered by Newcastle United with a 4-0 scoreline. Aston Villa have taken advantage of the situation and placed themselves well in the top four race. Spurs have a tough fixtures list ahead, as they will have to face Liverpool and Manchester City in their remaining games after this edition of the North London Derby.
Arsenal will make the short trip towards the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as favourites for the second season running. Mikel Arteta will hope his side delivers a better performance than they did during their previous visit, and the Gunners do come into this clash at the back of a stunning 5-0 victory over their other London rivals, Chelsea.
Leandro Trossard opened the scoring in the first half before Kai Havertz and Ben White added two each to stun the Blues. Arteta couldn’t have asked for a better preparation ahead of the North London Derby and will now want a concrete result to help with their title push with four games remaining in the season.
Arsenal did get an advantage in the race, with Liverpool losing the Merseyside Derby, but they will be wary of Manchester City picking up their usual form at the end of each season. Pep Guardiola’s side are now two points behind the Gunners with a game in hand.
Team News & Tactics
Tottenham
The big news for Spurs is the injury to crucial man Destiny Udogie, with the left back no longer available for the remainder of the season after suffering a quad injury. There are also concerns with Pedro Porro; as Postecoglou mentioned, the Spaniard is available in some capacity, meaning he might make a late call on including the right back in his starting lineup.
Getting set for Sunday 👊
🛵 @getir_UK pic.twitter.com/n0ZtD54lQN
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 27, 2024
Meanwhile, there are doubts whether Richarlison has completely recovered from his knee problem during this two-week break. He is fit and should ideally make it to the bench. Should Postecoglou deem his sharpness enough, the Australian might even look to include him in the lineup.
As things stand, the Brazilian might find himself on the bench, but Porro could start the game at right back. Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven are primed to keep hold of their central positions, although Postecoglou might have been tempted to include Radu Dragusin in the lineup and push the Dutchman at left-back. As of now, Emerson Royal or Ben Davies will likely play there, with the latter more likely.
Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr are the prime candidates for the two midfield berths, with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur as bench options. Heung-min Son will likely lead the line, with Timo Werner and Brennan Johnson preferred in the wide areas, while James Maddison takes up the No.10 role for Spurs.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1) – Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Davies; Sarr, Bissouma; Johnson, Maddison, Werner; Son
Arsenal
There are no fresh injury concerns for Arteta to contend with; in fact, he spoke about the possible inclusion of Jurrien Timber in the squad. The Dutchman has missed the entire season with the cruciate ligament tear but has recovered and been training for many weeks now.
Energised for Sunday 🔋
📍 Sobha Realty Training Centre pic.twitter.com/etc10aJtf0
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 26, 2024
The big decisions for Arteta will be selecting his strongest lineup, with only a few places in question. For instance, there’s the debate on who should start at left-back, with Takehiro Tomiyasu looking like his choice after playing him against Chelsea. Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwor options for the bench.
The big selection dilemma would be choosing the midfield partner for Declan Rice, with Thomas Partey showing he’s ready for the big occasion after an exceptional performance against Chelsea. Jorginho might have to play second fiddle and will help finish games for the remainder of the season.
Meanwhile, Leandro Trossard has made a case for himself after another goalscoring display in midweek, and Arteta will play him from the start. Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli are best placed for a supporting role from the bench. Kai Havertz will lead the line, and Bukayo Saka will play from the front three’s right side.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3) – Raya; Ben White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Trossard
Key Stats
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 14 of Tottenham’s last 15 games in the Premier League.
- Tottenham are 6 points behind Aston Villa in the race for fourth, with 2 games in hand.
- Arsenal have won 12 of their last 14 matches in the Premier League.
- Arsenal have scored at least 2 goals in 12 of their last 14 matches in the Premier League.
- Arsenal have kept the most clean sheets (15) in this Premier League season.
Player to Watch
Bukayo Saka
Highest rated players in the Premier League this season (20+ apps):
◎ 7.63 – Bukayo Saka
◎ 7.60 – Rodri
◎ 7.47 – Phil Foden
◎ 7.40 – Martin Ødegaard
◎ 7.39 – Cole Palmer
◎ 7.36 – Declan Rice
◎ 7.36 – Ollie Watkins pic.twitter.com/99iE9tjT56— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) April 24, 2024
The winger had a productive game, but unfortunately, despite the five-goal scoreline, he could not get on the scoresheet. There was a different energy about Saka in the Chelsea clash, and Arteta will hope the attacker brings his best form to their rivals’ territory in north London.
Saka has had a fantastic recent record against Tottenham and played a crucial part in the away fixture last season. Similarly, he has forced two own goals in their previous two meetings and poses a significant threat to Postecoglou’s side, as Arteta hopes he will return to his goalscoring form away in this clash.
Prediction
Tottenham 1-3 Arsenal
Tottenham are aware of the pressures heading into this matchup, as their fans will demand a stellar victory against their hated rivals. However, Postecoglou’s side are not in the best of form and may not be as sharp as Arsenal despite their two-week break.
Arsenal are fit and firing on all cylinders as any title-challenging team should, and will look to continue with the momentum gained from the Chelsea victory. Hence, the cards are on Arsenal’s table to get three points and put a big dent in Tottenham’s top-four hopes, which some Gunners fans will see as a fitting revenge for what Spurs did two years prior.
