James Murphy still expects Arsenal to win the North London derby today despite some key absences in midfield.
Tottenham vs Arsenal
Below you can find more on each part of James Murphy’s Tottenham vs Arsenal bet builder, with the option to back each individual leg directly through oddschecker at best price.
Arsenal To Win
A contentious Declan Rice red card cost Arsenal against Brighton in their last match before the international break, and whilst the Englishman will be a big miss for his side, particularly in a big match like this, I still fancy the Gunners to come through and get the three points.
Spurs find themselves in 10th place early on in the season following defeat away to Newcastle, and they have incredibly failed to record two league victories on the bounce in 2024 so far.
This inconsistency is likely to cost them, especially against the bigger teams, and I expect Arsenal to take advantage of some clear vulnerabilities in what should be a very good Tottenham side.
Arsenal have suffered defeat in just one of the last seven league derbies against Spurs, and they have scored two or more goals in each of those matches where they have avoided defeat.
Both Teams To Score
The North London Derby rarely disappoints in terms of goals and action, and I certainly do not expect this one to be any different.
With five of the last six encounters between these sides having three or more goals, I expect this to follow suit: Spurs have scored in nine of their last 10 home meetings with Arsenal, whilst the Gunners have failed to find the net in just one of their last seven matches against Spurs.
Tottenham have scored in all but one home league match under Ange Postecoglou, against Man City, and only City scored more away league goals last season than Arsenal’s 43.
Pedro Porro To Have A Shot
Spaniard Porro has been an unlikely source of shots for Tottenham this season, with the right back having scored three goals in his last six league matches for Spurs.
Porro managed one shot (and goal) against Leicester on the opening day of the season, followed by another shot against Everton, and three shots in defeat to Newcastle.
Porro had a shot in five of Tottenham’s last six matches to end the 2023/24 season, including two at home to Arsenal in a 3-2 defeat at the end of April.
Thomas Partey To Commit 2+ Fouls
Partey leads the foul count for either side going into this match, having committed 8 fouls in the Premier League so far this season, at a rate of 2.67 fouls per 90.
Partey has committed two or more fouls in seven of his last eight league matches, and the absence of Declan Rice makes the Ghanaian’s presence in front of Arsenal’s defence even more prominent - the last time these sides faced off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Partey committed two fouls and I expect him to match that here.