Arsenal vs Tottenham Game Betting Preview

Arsenal bid to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table when they host north London rivals Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. The Gunners take on Spurs at 16:30pm, live on Sky Sports.

This is the first north London derby of the season and both sides go into the contest suffering with several injury issues. The most significant is arguably the fact that key Arsenal defender Gabriel has potentially been ruled out until January after going down with a thigh problem during the international break. Arsenal dropped points against Sunderland in their last Premier League outing, but went into this weekend four points clear at the league summit.

Tip 1: Both Arsenal and Tottenham to receive two or more cards @ 4/6

The 16:30pm kick-off on a Sunday provides maximum time for a build-up of tension and for the supporters of both sides to work themselves into a frenzy. Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal squad have a history of spurning league leads and will be desperate to put so much hurt behind them and finally end the Gunners’ long wait for a league title, which stretches back to 2004. The Sunderland result has got Arsenal players and fans twitching a little, so the importance of the Spurs match is difficult to overstate. A tight, tetchy encounter seems likely and it would be a surprise if match referee Michael Oliver is able to keep a lid on the emotions of the players. The chance to back both teams to get two or more cards in the game appears to be too good to ignore, given it is available at 4/6.

Arsenal are averaging a card a game in the Premier League this season, but this match carries an extra edge. Spurs have had 21 cards in the league this season, but again, the expectation rises at the Emirates. Expect an intense 90 minutes, a close game, and arbiter Oliver to be a busy man.

Tip 2: Match draw @ 15/4

A combination of Arsenal nerves and Tottenham resolve means the best value option in the north London derby is arguably the draw. Spurs have shown enough on their travels this season to suggest they can take a point from what seems sure to be an intense contest. Arsenal, rocked by letting points slip at Sunderland, have lost arguably their best defender to injury. Mikel Arteta will be devastated by Gabriel’s probable absence for the rest of the year. Kai Havertz has also been ruled out of making a comeback.

Spurs are unbeaten away from home in the Premier League this season, winning four of five games, conceding just three goals. Going into this set of fixtures, no team had scored more away goals than Tottenham. Thomas Frank has quickly made Tottenham extremely difficult to beat when they set their stall out away from home. The well-organised Lilywhites can hold firm and the 15/4 about the draw looks extremely generous.

Tip 3: A 1-1 correct score @ 17/2

A 1-1 correct score looks like a good value option at 17/2, given how few goals can be expected in this contest. Arsenal have conceded only one goal at home in the league this term, while Spurs have conceded only three on the road.