Next up.....Spurs Away

After all the transfer madness we can now concentrate on the footie and where better to start then helping Spurs on their way to relegation. Andrey is finally on board and should give our midfield a much needed creative boost – if he is passed fit. While Spurs seem intent on buying back all their previous failures.


The opposition – Spurs

They never learn do they? Just as Ramos cleared out much of the deadwood loveable ‘Arry decides to buy them all back! Whoever is playing for them though they still find themselves in the relegation zone - again! Nothing would bring a smile to my face more than to see them finally pay the price for consistently signing over-priced and over-rated players while believing they have a divine right to challenge for top honours. They can’t even make the new Messi work for them, Giovanni de Santos is a player I would have liked to see at Arsenal but now he is tainted!


Last time out: Arsenal 0 West Ham 0 Bolton 3 Spurs 2

More frustration last time out as we failed to break down a West Ham side determined to play 11 men behind the ball and pray for a point. Our dirty neighbours meanwhile crashed to defeat at fellow strugglers Bolton, complete with some comedy goal-line defending from David Bentley, another Lillywhite who has had his career ruined by a trip down the wrong side of Holloway Road.


Last league meeting at White Hart Lane - Spurs 1 Arsenal 3 September 15 2007

Gareth Bale gave Spurs a 15th minute lead but the Gunners fought back in the second half. Two goals in 15 minutes from Adebayor and Fabregas put the Gunners in front before Adebayor finished things off with a stunning 25 yard volley in injury time.

Team News.
Wenger must decide on the fitness of new-boy Andrey Arshavin who hasn’t played since the Russian league finished in November. Abou Diaby misses out through suspension after picking up his fifth booking of the season against West Ham. Robin Van Persie is pushing for a recall after being ‘rested’ last weekend.

Probable XI

Almunia
Sagna Toure Gallas Clichy
Arshavin/Eboue Denilson Song Nasri
Adebayor Van Persie

Key Battle
Everyone on the pitch – lets get stuck in!

Key men

Arsenal – Robin Van Persie
Scored a stunner last week against Everton and is capable of doing so again on Sunday, if Wenger decides to pick him (which he should).

Spurs – Robbie Keane
After failing miserably at Liverpool Keane is back at Spurs and bizarrely back as captain. It will be interesting to see whether he can turn his season around.

Football Betting tips with Betfair

Match odds: Spurs 11/5 Arsenal 6/4 Draw 12/5

Local derbies are always going to be full bloodied and passionate and Sunday will be no exception. But Arsenal can’t afford to lose anymore games if they want to secure a Champions League spot. Tottenham are in trouble at the wrong end of the table and even though they will no doubt raise their game, I think the Gunners will have enough to win. A 2-1 away win has decent odds of 10-1

Prediction

Spurs 1(Keane) Arsenal 2 (Van Persie 2)


Written by Tom Mallows, sports writer for Betfair. Check them out for the latest Cheltenham betting odds.