Crouchy says Arsenal will take the North London derby honours on Sunday

It’s getting spicy at both ends of the Premier League, and particularly for the North London’s top two as Arsenal wobble at the top and Spurs plummet towards the drop zone – ex-White Hart Lane hitman Peter Crouch has his say on what could be a pivotal Tottenham v Arsenal showdown on Sunday…

Arsenal to win
Bukayo Saka to score
Dominic Solanke to have 2+ shots
Joao Palhinha to commit 1+ fouls

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WHEN: Sunday, February 22nd, 4:30pm
WHERE: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
WATCH: Sky Sports Main Event

You immediately have to wonder if Spurs will get a new manager bounce with Igor Tudor coming in as has not been in the Premier League before. I said on my podcast that it felt like a bizarre appointment given the situation Spurs are in – five points outside the relegation zone and dropping down the table.

He has to get used to a new league when they need someone who’s up-to-speed straightaway, and he’s dropped right into the firing line on Sunday with the North London derby.

But I’ve liked what I’ve seen in his press conferences and the way he has talked since coming in. I don’t think he’ll be afraid to drop people and make big calls, but he’s obviously up against it this weekend.

Arsenal are stuttering though. I was at the Brentford game when they drew 1-1 and they struggled there. They’ve continued to stumble with the draw against Wolves in midweek. You can get away with a point away at Brentford – that could be the result that wins the league come May – but a draw against Wolves? That is two points dropped for sure.

That equaliser felt like a really big moment.

Man City have found some form recently too and they’ll be licking their lips seeing Arsenal trip up.

I expect there to be some nervousness about Arsenal in the derby following those results. If it was at the Emirates it might ramp up even more with the crowd seeing the title possibly slipping away, so the fact this is at Spurs’ ground might suit them, odd as that might seem.

Saying that, those two away games against Brentford and Wolves have been really poor, and those sides have given Spurs’ new manager a blueprint of how to cope with the league leaders.

Brentford sat deep, hit them on the break, and made the most of set-pieces – Spurs can follow that on Sunday and they have the players to work to that gameplan and possibly dig out a result.

The title race is a lot closer than it should be after Arsenal’s two draws, and if Spurs were to get a result it really could open the door for City – but that’s why Arsenal can’t afford to give anything away on Sunday and I think they’ll sneak a win in the end.

Arsenal To win

As much as I want to see Spurs take advantage of Arsenal’s wobble, I think the visitors will do enough in the end to steady their title challenge and stay on course. I’d expect it to be tighter than Tottenham’s recent form might suggest, but I don’t see Arsenal losing this. My prediction is a 2-1 win for Arsenal.

Bukayo Saka to score

He went off against Wolves in midweek, but that’s not a big concern according to reports so he should play. He got the goal as well, his first since December, and I’d expect that’s a sign of things to come. He leads Arsenal with the most shots on target this season and if there are a few goals in this game he’s my pick to get one of them.

Dominic Solanke to have 2+ shots

The Spurs forward has made a difference since getting back from injury, with 11 shots in total in his last six games, scoring four times including that scorpion flick against City to get a point. He’s the likeliest scorer for Spurs on Sunday and two shots is well within his reach.

Joao Palhinha to commit 1+ fouls

With Cristian Romero serving a four match ban, the Spurs midfielder looks the best option for a foul in what’s always a spicy game. He has 11 fouls across the last eight games in all competitions and had two in the previous meeting at the Emirates earlier in the season.

Arsenal to win
Bukayo Saka to score
Dominic Solanke to have 2+ shots
Joao Palhinha to commit 1+ fouls

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*All odds quoted are correct at time of publication but subject to change

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