Former Celtic star Chris Sutton has predicted that Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal will play out a extremely aggressive North London Derby this weekend. The BBC pundit believes Spurs can have the sting this time round, because the Gunners shall be with out two of their finest gamers, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.
Arsenal Will Be With out Their Greatest Midfielders For This Season’s First North London Derby
Premier League aspirants will face their first large hurdle of the season after they make the quick journey to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, September 15. Mikel Arteta’s facet secured 4 factors from the 2 Premier League NLDs final season and should have fancied themselves to safe a positive end result this time as nicely.
Sadly, the worldwide break threw a spanner within the works, as their creator-in-chief, Odegaard, picked up an ankle harm whereas representing Norway. Arsenal was already entering into with out holding midfielder Rice, as he had picked up a second yellow in Matchday 3’s 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion.
Chris Sutton Backs Tottenham Hotspur To Safe Bragging Rights
Previewing the conflict between Arsenal and Spurs, Sutton wrote for BBC:
“Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has simply signed a brand new contract, so possibly his thoughts has been on that new deal and the way he can spend it on furnishing his home moderately than the north London derby.
“Being severe, although, Rice and Odegaard are such large losses that I can’t assist however really feel it would have an effect. Arsenal have gotten high quality gamers like Jorginho and Thomas Partey to come back into their midfield, however they’re lacking two of their finest gamers.”
Sutton continued:
“The Gunners will get probabilities on this recreation and I count on them to attain – they received this fixture 3-2 final season and drew 2-2 on the Emirates, and I’m anticipating extra of the identical.
“This time, nonetheless, I’m going to again Spurs. I do know everybody who’s studying it will in all probability go for a draw however I’m not going to try this. As a substitute, I’m going to stay my lengthy neck out and say ‘Angeball’ will come out on high.”
He concluded by including:
“Spurs have dominated video games and created probabilities this season, however they simply want somebody to stay the ball behind the web and I’ve a sense that may occur for them right here. If I’m proper, then we could as nicely hand the title to Manchester Metropolis.”
Sutton’s prediction: 3-2
Amassing seven factors from three video games, Arsenal is sitting in fourth place within the Premier League rankings, two factors behind league leaders Manchester Metropolis. Tottenham Hotspur, in the meantime, is in tenth place with 4 factors from three video games.
