Tottenham vs Arsenal betting tips

Undoubtedly the most exciting fixture of this weekend's Premiership action will take place at White Hart Lane at lunchtime on Saturday when Tottenham and Arsenal lock horns in the 155th meeting between these bitter north London rivals. Martin Jol's men have a score to settle having been given a hiding at the Emirates in December and knocked out of the Carling Cup by the Gunners at the semi-final stage on January 31, throwing away a 2-0 lead in the home leg, eventually exiting at Ashburton Grove after extra time. Spurs have been in fine form during the latter part of the campaign and, despite being eliminated from the Uefa Cup against Sevilla the other day, confidence is likely to remain high within the squad. However, the Lilywhites' record against Arsenal isn't good. During his tenure, Jol has so far been unable to mastermind a victory over Arsenal. Spurs have finished beneath the Gunners in 12 of the 14 seasons since the inauguration of the Premiership and have registered just one win in their last 22 encounters with Arsene Wenger's charges, which was back in November 1999. Trends are, however, there to be broken "€" and Tottenham broke an even longer running hoodoo when beating Chelsea earlier in the season. And while Spurs"€? record against the Gunners doesn"€?t augur well overall, it"€?s worth remembering that Arsenal have only inflicted defeat on them once in their last eight meetings at "€?The Lane"€?, which was in a nine-goal thriller in November 2004. Indeed, in recent seasons this fixture has invariably finished all square, with five of their last nine league meetings culminating in 1-1 draws. As you would expect given their rivalry, bouts between these sides never fail to produce a tempestuous tussle, and it"€?s no coincidence that Mike Dean, one of this season"€?s strictest referees, is in charge. Dean has issues five reds and 85 yellow cards in 22 fixtures this term, which equates to an average of 4.09 cards per game, not far off the strictest ref of 2006/07 so far, Mark Clattenburg, who averages 4.22. One hopes that Dean will not be petty and pedantic, and that he will allow the game to flow, playing advantages wherever possible. But cards will be flashed, that"€?s for sure. Although Emmanuel Adebayor doesn"€?t have a particularly bad disciplinary record, the Togolese striker has been feeling the heat recently, which is understandable given the pressure he is under, what with Henry, Van Persie and Walcott sidelined, Baptista turning out to be a midfielder rather than a forward, and Aliadiere still to make a significant impact on the first team. The frustration seemingly felt by the 23-year-old is no doubt being compounded by his personal goal drought "€" he"€?s scored just three in his last 17 appearances in all competitions, which must be weighing heavy on his mind. In the Carling Cup Final against Chelsea "€?Manu"€? saw red after a melee which saw three players walk during injury time. Given the circumstances, and the tension that will run high on Saturday afternoon, I am tempted by a couple of specials offered by Blue Square concerning Adebayor. For a very small stake, taking a flyer and backing him to be sent off at 50/1 is worth entertaining, but for a far more meaty investment that same firm"€?s offer of 4/1 about him being booked looks too good to miss. Wenger will be hopeful that midfielders Fabregas, who has been suffering with a virus, and Ljungberg (hamstring problem) will be available, as Diaby will be absent as a result of the head injury he incurred during the Gunners"€? 3-1 victory over Man City on Tuesday evening. Arsenal"€?s shortfalls in the middle of the park will only serve as to put more pressure on Adebayor. Spurs, meanwhile, will be without Lee Young-Pyo, Anthony Gardner and Benoit Assou-Ekotto, while Robbie Keane and Paul Stalteri are doubtful, due to knee and hip injuries respectively. Their defense has, however, been bolstered by the return of Ledley King, and Tom Huddlestone has made a timely recovery from a knee problem. As ever, a key player for the home side will be Aaron Lennon. However, in the shape of Clichy and Eboue, Arsenal possess two of very few full backs in the game that would give "€?rocket man"€? a run for his money in a 100-metre sprint, therefore it will be interesting to see whether Lennon gets any joy down the wings, as he"€?ll probably switch flanks during the game. In Berbatov and, assuming Keane is missing, Defoe, Spurs boast strikers capable of dropping deep and carving out opportunities for themselves, something which the Gunners are missing through the absence of Henry and Van Persie in particular. It should be a busy 90 minutes for Gallas and Toure at the heart of Arsenal"€?s defense, not to mention their midfield fulcrum Gilberto. The most likely outcome of this match is, in my opinion, a draw. But if there is to be a winner, I"€?d guess it would be Tottenham. Even the most ardent Spurs fans would concede that, pound for pound, Arsenal are the better side. But with so many key players either on the easy list or not at their optimum level of fitness, an on-fire Spurs could easily be capable of capitalising. Whatever the outcome, though, I"€?m confident that Spurs will draw first blood on their home turf. They tend to be quick out of the traps at "€?The Lane"€? and, although backing Spurs to score first at 11/10 appeals, I"€?m more tempted by the value option of Dimitar Berbatov at a whopping 13/2 in the first goalscorer market with expekt. Expect the Bulgarian to oblige and strike first. Verdict: 1pt Dimitar Berbatov to score first @ 13/2 (expekt)2pts Emmanuel Adebayor to be booked @ 4/1 (Blue Square)0.25pts Emmanuel Adebayor to receive a red card @ 50/1 (Blue Square) Martin Jol's men have a score to settle having been given a hiding at the Emirates in December and knocked out of the Carling Cup by the Gunners at the semi-final stage on January 31, throwing away a 2-0 lead in the home leg, eventually exiting at Ashburton Grove after extra time. Spurs have been in fine form during the latter part of the campaign and, despite being eliminated from the Uefa Cup against Sevilla the other day, confidence is likely to remain high within the squad. However, the Lilywhites' record against Arsenal isn't good. During his tenure, Jol has so far been unable to mastermind a victory over Arsenal. Spurs have finished beneath the Gunners in 12 of the 14 seasons since the inauguration of the Premiership and have registered just one win in their last 22 encounters with Arsene Wenger's charges, which was back in November 1999. Trends are, however, there to be broken "€" and Tottenham broke an even longer running hoodoo when beating Chelsea earlier in the season. And while Spurs"€? record against the Gunners doesn"€?t augur well overall, it"€?s worth remembering that Arsenal have only inflicted defeat on them once in their last eight meetings at "€?The Lane"€?, which was in a nine-goal thriller in November 2004. Indeed, in recent seasons this fixture has invariably finished all square, with five of their last nine league meetings culminating in 1-1 draws. As you would expect given their rivalry, bouts between these sides never fail to produce a tempestuous tussle, and it"€?s no coincidence that Mike Dean, one of this season"€?s strictest referees, is in charge. Dean has issues five reds and 85 yellow cards in 22 fixtures this term, which equates to an average of 4.09 cards per game, not far off the strictest ref of 2006/07 so far, Mark Clattenburg, who averages 4.22. One hopes that Dean will not be petty and pedantic, and that he will allow the game to flow, playing advantages wherever possible. But cards will be flashed, that"€?s for sure. Although Emmanuel Adebayor doesn"€?t have a particularly bad disciplinary record, the Togolese striker has been feeling the heat recently, which is understandable given the pressure he is under, what with Henry, Van Persie and Walcott sidelined, Baptista turning out to be a midfielder rather than a forward, and Aliadiere still to make a significant impact on the first team. The frustration seemingly felt by the 23-year-old is no doubt being compounded by his personal goal drought "€" he"€?s scored just three in his last 17 appearances in all competitions, which must be weighing heavy on his mind. In the Carling Cup Final against Chelsea "€?Manu"€? saw red after a melee which saw three players walk during injury time. Given the circumstances, and the tension that will run high on Saturday afternoon, I am tempted by a couple of specials offered by Blue Square concerning Adebayor. For a very small stake, taking a flyer and backing him to be sent off at 50/1 is worth entertaining, but for a far more meaty investment that same firm"€?s offer of 4/1 about him being booked looks too good to miss. Wenger will be hopeful that midfielders Fabregas, who has been suffering with a virus, and Ljungberg (hamstring problem) will be available, as Diaby will be absent as a result of the head injury he incurred during the Gunners"€? 3-1 victory over Man City on Tuesday evening. Arsenal"€?s shortfalls in the middle of the park will only serve as to put more pressure on Adebayor. Spurs, meanwhile, will be without Lee Young-Pyo, Anthony Gardner and Benoit Assou-Ekotto, while Robbie Keane and Paul Stalteri are doubtful, due to knee and hip injuries respectively. Their defense has, however, been bolstered by the return of Ledley King, and Tom Huddlestone has made a timely recovery from a knee problem. As ever, a key player for the home side will be Aaron Lennon. However, in the shape of Clichy and Eboue, Arsenal possess two of very few full backs in the game that would give "€?rocket man"€? a run for his money in a 100-metre sprint, therefore it will be interesting to see whether Lennon gets any joy down the wings, as he"€?ll probably switch flanks during the game. In Berbatov and, assuming Keane is missing, Defoe, Spurs boast strikers capable of dropping deep and carving out opportunities for themselves, something which the Gunners are missing through the absence of Henry and Van Persie in particular. It should be a busy 90 minutes for Gallas and Toure at the heart of Arsenal"€?s defense, not to mention their midfield fulcrum Gilberto. The most likely outcome of this match is, in my opinion, a draw. But if there is to be a winner, I"€?d guess it would be Tottenham. Even the most ardent Spurs fans would concede that, pound for pound, Arsenal are the better side. But with so many key players either on the easy list or not at their optimum level of fitness, an on-fire Spurs could easily be capable of capitalising. Whatever the outcome, though, I"€?m confident that Spurs will draw first blood on their home turf. They tend to be quick out of the traps at "€?The Lane"€? and, although backing Spurs to score first at 11/10 appeals, I"€?m more tempted by the value option of Dimitar Berbatov at a whopping 13/2 in the first goalscorer market with expekt. Expect the Bulgarian to oblige and strike first. Verdict: 1pt Dimitar Berbatov to score first @ 13/2 (expekt)2pts Emmanuel Adebayor to be booked @ 4/1 (Blue Square)0.25pts Emmanuel Adebayor to receive a red card @ 50/1 (Blue Square)