Tottenham v Arsenal

Has a team ever felt worse after 15 games unbeaten in the league than Arsenal do right now? In the course of this run they have been eliminated from three out of three Cup competitions through a combination of misfortune and ineptitude. But even in the league there have been several results that have most certainly felt like defeats to the frustrated Gunners.

Recent home 0-0 draws with Sunderland and Blackburn were tough enough to take but the manner of the 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Sunday has surely crushed the team’s spirit once and for all. Desperately needing a win, an injury time penalty for Van Persie provided huge, but momentary relief, before they gifted the Reds an equaliser in the 102nd minute. Spurs are surely ready to put the boot in on their wounded rivals.

Tottenham’s main problem has been a lack of goals, but with Peter Crouch back from suspension, Redknapp can call upon all his best attacking players for one of the only times in recent months. Gareth Bale, in particular, should be ready to show everyone just why he was named PFA Player of the Year a few days ago.

Another factor in Spurs’ favour is that they have recently developed the knack for overcoming their greatest rivals. This time last year they effectively ended Arsenal’s title hopes with a league win at White Hart Lane after 20 games unsuccessful before that. Having broken that hoodoo they then pulled off an even greater feat by reversing a 2-0 half-time deficit at the Emirates in November, to win 3-2. Just another dreadful memory for Arsene Wenger in the box marked ‘where did it all go wrong’.

The French manager says that a win at Spurs is now crucial. He has to say that, but the unspoken truth is that the chance has already gone. Motivating the players to believe otherwise, just three days on from the Liverpool debacle, looks like an impossible task. With that in mind I think that a Tottenham side fresh from the weekend off will put their neighbours to the sword. A home win by the odd goal looks well priced at 7/2 with Boylesports.