Problems To Continue In Dull North London Derby

Tottenham make the short trip to the Emirates where they face Arsenal on Saturday for the first North London derby of the season…

Form
Arsene Wenger made 10 changes to his side in midweek as Southampton dumped the Gunners out of the Capital One Cup. Despite making sweeping alterations, it was still an Arsenal side that included the likes of Tomas Rosicky, Alexis Sanchez and Lukas Podolski and a game that they were disappointed to lose.

The defeat adds to an inauspicious start to the season that includes draws against Everton and Leicester, a loss and extremely poor performance at Borussia Dortmund and just three wins from nine games.

Nevertheless, the Gunners remain just four points behind leaders Chelsea in fourth place and ahead of Manchester City, Spurs, Liverpool and Manchester United in the Premier League table.

Spurs’ campaign to date can also be described as discouraging as the laborious midweek Capital One Cup win over a weakened Nottingham Forest side came on the back of four consecutive matches without a win.

Last weekend’s defeat to West Brom was greeted with a chorus of boos from the White Hart Lane terraces as it followed on from a humbling 3-0 home defeat to Liverpool.

Nacer Chadli is the club’s top scorer for the campaign with three goals, followed by defender Eric Dier who has scored a couple. Robert Soldado found the back of the net in midweek, but is unlikely to force his way into the starting XI after another otherwise poor performance.

Team News
Mathieu Debuchy has been ruled out for three months after undergoing surgery on an ankle injury and is joined on the sidelines by Olivier Giroud and Serge Gnabry. Yaya Sanogo and Nacho Monreal are also doubtful while Theo Walcott is expected to make his return after the international break.

Spurs have no fresh injury concerns with Kyle Walker the only player unavailable to manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Head-to-Head
Arsenal won all three meetings between the two sides, without conceding a goal in any last season. The Gunners won 1-0 in both Premier League fixtures thanks to goals from Giroud (at the Emirates) and Rosicky (at White Hart Lane), while the Czech was on the scoresheet again, alongside Santi Cazorla, in a 2-0 FA Cup win.

Spurs have lost on each of their last four visits to the Emirates, but did win 3-2 here back in 2010.

Recommended Bets
Arsenal are made strong favourites to take all three points at odds of 8/11, with the draw at 3/1 and a Spurs win at 4/1.

Given that neither team have been particularly consistent – or good for that matter – this season, I wouldn’t want to be backing either at odds-on prices.

Spurs are probably the value bet at the odds, but it’s not a market I want to get involved with.

Instead I’ll focus on the goals markets and in particular the Under 2.5 goals selection at 21/20. All three games last season had two goals or fewer, with both league games seeing just one goal. That is a reflection of both sides’ problems in front of goal and something that neither have fully addressed in the summer, particularly Spurs.

Danny Welbeck does give Arsenal an extra dimension and after getting off the mark against Aston Villa last week could be the biggest threat to the Under 2.5 goals selection. Have a cover bet on him at odds of 11/8 to score anytime.