Tottenham can finish above Arsenal in the Premiership for the first time in 22 years if they beat the Gunners on Sunday in what is likely to be the last North London derby at White Hart Lane, owing to the Lilywhites’ future plans of moving to a new 61,000 seater stadium
The game, one of four on a Super Sunday that also sees Man Utd, Chelsea and Manchester City in action is a big chance for Mauricio Pochettino’s side to lay down a marker. They were the closest rivals to Leicester for most of last season before falling away and to add insult to injury, were pipped to second by the Gunners. This year, Spurs appear to have learnt from last year’s mistakes and they will be hopeful that Everton, with their great home form this year, can do them a favour by toppling Chelsea at Goodison Park.
Both Arsenal and Spurs picked up identical 1-0 wins in midweek. The Lilywhites bounced back from their 4-2 FA Cup loss to Chelsea by edging in form Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park thanks to Christian Eriksen’s fantastic strike 12 minute from time. Arsenal needed an own goal from Leicester’s German defender Robert Huth to keep their top four ambitions alive.
Victory for Spurs and defeat for Chelsea would cut the gap between the two sides to a single point and would re-invigorate the Lilywhites’ title chances. And with Mauricio Pochettino’s side playing before the Blues next week, they could provisionally even be top of the table before the latter’s clash against Boro.
Under pressure Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has switched to three at the back in recent games to lend more stability to his defence and it has worked to a level, with the Gunners getting the better of Man City in their FA Cup semi-final at Wembley. Which one of the trio of Walcott, Welbeck and Giroud should lead the attack in the 3-4-3 is a headache for Wenger, with Walcott possessing the pace to trouble Spurs and Giroud and Welbeck having the physical presence to play key roles at set pieces not just offensively, but defensively as well.
The midweek Manchester derby ending in a 0-0 stalemate has also effectively meant that Arsenal need to win all their league game from here on to stand a chance of finishing in the top four. They could potentially also catch up with Liverpool, but goal difference could be the decider there.
Last five North London derbies at White Hart Lane
Tottenham 2-2 Arsenal
Tottenham 1-2 Arsenal
Tottenham 2-1 Arsenal
Tottenham 0-1 Arsenal
Tottenham 2-1 Arsenal
Plenty at stake in this high profile clash for both sides- don’t forget to check out this matched betting website for some great tips before going to place some ££ on your favourite team.
Video of the last NLD at WHL- Spurs 2-2 Arsenal- great goal from Harry Kane and plenty of action
Tottenham Hotspur recent results
Crystal Palace 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Chelsea 4-2 Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham 4-0 Bournemouth
Tottenham 4-0 Watford
Swansea 1-3 Tottenham
Burnley 0-2 Tottenham
Arsenal recent results
Arsenal 1-0 Leicester
Arsenal 2-1 Man City
Middlesbrough 1-2 Arsenal
Crystal Palace 3-0 Arsenal
Arsenal 3-0 West Ham
Arsenal 2-2 Man City
The referee for this game will be Michael Oliver, whose last game in charge of Spurs was their 4-0 win over Bournemouth and last in charge of Arsenal was the Gunners’ disastrous 3-0 loss at Selhurst Park.
Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal is on 30 April, 2017 at 16.30 UK