BBC pundit Chris Sutton makes honest Tottenham vs Arsenal prediction
Tottenham Hotspur hosting Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday promises to be a mouthwatering encounter between two big rivals.
With both clubs heading into the game off the back of underwhelming results in their previous league games, this North London Derby showpiece promises to be an intriguing clash. Tottenham were beaten 2-1 by Newcastle United at St James’ Park while Arsenal dropped points at home in the 1-1 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion before the international break. So, a lot is riding on the much-awaited game.
Spurs have a point to prove after amassing just four points from their first three Premier League games of the new season. Ange Postecoglou is yet to taste a win in this fixture—drawing 2-2 at the Emirates Stadium in September 2023 before losing the home fixture 3-2 back in April 2024. However, Big Ange’s side could take advantage of a slightly depleted Gunners’ side this time.
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Declan Rice is suspended after being sent off against Brighton, and the likes of Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard are out injured, which gives Spurs a psychological boost heading into the derby.
Paul Merson, former Arsenal striker turned pundit, has predicted a ‘tough time’ for Mikel Arteta’s boys on Sunday owing to the absences of key performers Rice and Odegaard. And now former Norwich City and Celtic star Chris Sutton has dropped his verdict ahead of Sunday’s showdown. He feels Big Ange’s side will come on top against Mikel Arteta’s men only by a small margin.
“The Gunners will get chances in this game and I expect them to score,” Sutton wrote in his column for BBC Sport.
“They won this fixture 3-2 last season and drew 2-2 at the Emirates, and I am expecting more of the same. This time, however, I am going to back Spurs.
“I know everyone who is reading this will probably go for a draw but I am not going to do that. Instead, I am going to stick my long neck out and say ‘Angeball’ will come out on top.”
Spurs will be desperate to pick up all three points not just for bragging rights, but also to kickstart their campaign. Despite Arsenal’s dominance of this special fixture recently, coupled with their better start to the new season and status as genuine challengers to Manchester City for the title, the Lilywhites appear to have a slight edge this time around.
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Big Ange’s side have dominated games and created plenty of chances this season, it’s just been the lack of final touches inside the box. With club-record signing Dominic Solanke declared fit after missing the last two games with an ankle injury, we may just have the striker to put the ball in the back of the net against the Gunners.
