MX23RW : Thursday, December 12 06:35:18| >> :120:27845:27845:

Preview: Tottenham Hotspur vs. Arsenal

Preview: Tottenham vs. Arsenal
© PA Photos
Sports Mole looks ahead to the fierce North London derby between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at White Hart Lane.

All eyes will be on Tottenham Hotspur star Gareth Bale during the North London derby against Arsenal at White Hart Lane this Sunday following the winger's headline-making week.

The Wales international has been compared to La Liga giants Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi following Monday night's 3-2 win over West Ham United for Spurs, in which Bale netted his 12th goal in 13 matches for the Premier League outfit.

The 23-year-old is expected to go up against Jack Wilshere, who has been a standout player for the Gunners during a tumultuous few weeks that has included their exit from the FA Cup and suffering a damaging 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in the first leg of their round-of-16 Champions League tie.

Despite their recent woes, Arsenal managed to clinch a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa last weekend, placing them fifth in the table, four points adrift of Spurs, who leapfrogged Chelsea this week into third.

The Gunners will be without Bacary Sagna, who is sidelined with a knee injury, while Spurs will be unable to call on Jermain Defoe, which suggests that Emmanuel Adebayor will enter the fray.

Recent form

Tottenham: DDWWW

Arsenal: WDWWW

Possible starting lineups

Tottenham: Lloris; Walker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Assou-Ekotto; Parker, Dembele; Lennon, Bale, Holtby; Adebayor

Arsenal: Szczesny; Koscielny, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Jenkinson; Arteta, Wilshere; Walcott, Cazorla, Podolski; Giroud

Sports Mole says: 2-1


ID:71808: cacheID:71808:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3528:
Written by
Danielle Joynson

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Christian Benteke celebrates his opener at Anfield on December 15, 2012
Read Next:
Report: Spurs plot Benteke swoop
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!