Arsenal vs Spurs betting tips

Derbies are always fiercely contested, but no derbies are quite like the bitter north London bouts between Arsenal and Spurs. On Saturday, Martin Jol's charges will be visiting the Gunners' new home, the Emirates Stadium, for the first time. And there's every reason to suspect that this match will be an explosive one. Arsene Wenger's men have yet to taste defeat in their new lair, a record they will fight tooth and nail to protect. Meanwhile, nothing would give Spurs more satisfaction than to inflict defeat on Arsenal in their new backyard. And then there's the small matter of Champions League qualification, something which is still attainable for both clubs. Spurs have often been made to feel like the poor relations in north London. Indeed, they have failed to lower Arsenal's colours in their last 14 meetings. Since Wenger's tenure began at Arsenal, the French coach has accrued an incredible record of ten wins, ten draws, and a solitary defeat against his side's arch enemies since tasting his first north London derby in 1996. However, on the flipside, Spurs bucked a trend of long suffering for their fans when beating Chelsea for the first time in donkey's years on November 5. So can they buck another trend at the weekend? Well, they are certainly catching Arsenal at a good time. The Gunners have lost their last two Premiership matches, away to Bolton and during the week against Fulham. Although they were far from disgraced in the latter match, Arsenal seemed to lack that killer instinct in the final third of the pitch at times. They are capable of so much better, but inconsistency is a major problem for them. Spurs go into this match on the back of a Uefa Cup victory over Bayer Leverkusen and a convincing 3-1 win against an in-form Wigan side at White Hart Lane on Sunday. The disconcerting thing for Spurs, though, their record against the Gooners aside, is their away form in the Premiership this season. They've failed to win any of their seven games on their travels, and have scored just three goals away from 'The Lane'. The answer to the question of whether Spurs can buck the trend of failing to beat Arsenal on Saturday is, therefore, no, in my opinion. Their away form is simply too poor to envisage them emerging as the first team to have beaten Arsenal at Ashburton Grove. The likes of Henry, Van Persie, Gilberto, and Ljungberg will have plenty to say about that. Occasionally meetings between Arsenal and Spurs can throw up a goal feast - who can forget Arsenal's 5-4 victory at White Hart Lane in November 2004 - but generally speaking matches between the two sides produces an average of 2-3 goals. With Spurs struggling to score on rival turf and given Arsenal's superior record, I suggest taking a flyer on Arsenal to win 2-0 in the correct score market at 13/2 with Betfred. Games like this are hugely unpredictable, because much depends on whether both sides consent to put their best boots forward. But with so much pride at stake, and both Arsenal and Spurs under-achieving in the league overall, it will be most disappointing if both outfits aren't up for this in a major way. As such, this should make for one heck of a spectacle. And hopefully profit will ensue. Verdict - 1pt Arsenal to win 2-0 in the correct score market @ 13/2 (Betfred)