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EPL Betting: A Shaky Tottenham Take on the Gunners

Don Aguero

by Don Aguero in News

Updated Jan 17, 2018 · 9:39 AM PST

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Tottenham (+300) at Arsenal (+105), Draw (+275)

Spurs will commute to Emirates Stadium this Sunday (November 6) to take on Arsenal in the first North London Derby of the season.

Arsenal (7-2-1, 23 pts) will have more than just home-field advantage against the ailing Tottenham (5-5-0, 20 pts) side, who have lacked a win in their last five games. Despite being undefeated so far in the Premier League, Spurs have drawn as many games as they have won.

Arsenal, on the other hand, have been a force to be reckoned with so far this season. They’ve won seven of their last nine games and currently sit in second-place (tied for first in points), beneath only Manchester City on goal difference. Tottenham sit in fifth-place, three points back of the top.

Tottenham’s problems can probably be summarized in one name: Harry Kane. Without their star striker, Spurs really don’t have anyone with any goal-scoring instinct. Kane hasn’t played since September 18 due to an ankle ligament injury.

Tottenham have only managed to score three goals in their last five outings, all sans Kane. Contrast that with Arsenal, who scored four goals against Sunderland in their last game. Tottenham would be wise to seek a draw, but given Arsenal’s current form (W, W, W, D, W, W), even that might be too much.

There is hope, though. Harry Kane hasn’t been ruled fit for Sunday’s game, but he hasn’t been ruled out either. He’s been spotted at Spurs practice and, while Mauricio Pochettino has said he will not play Kane unless he is completely fit, things are trending in the right direction.

Let’s also not forget that, only a couple weeks ago, Tottenham beat Manchester City with a convincing 2-0 victory. 

Earlier in the week, both teams will play a Champions League Group Stage game. Spurs will take on Bayer Leverkusen, while the Gunners face Bulgarian side PFC Ludogorets Razgrad. Neither should struggle much in the UCL and Kane will almost definitely be rested for that game.

Arsenal are currently in top form and Tottenham have been able to force at least a draw up until now. The real test will come Sunday.

Pick: Draw (+275)


Photo credit: “Cesc Fàbregas & Younes Kaboul” by Ronnie Macdonald (Flickr) [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/].

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