Tottenham vs Arsenal Preview: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News
By Ross Jackson
Arsenal make the short trip across north London to face their fierce rivals Tottenham this Sunday, as fans are welcomed back to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the first time since March.
The Gunners have been top dogs in north London for many years, but the balance of power has well and truly shifted in recent times - with Mikel Arteta's men languishing in 14th position in the Premier League while their neighbours sit top of the tree.
The omens are good for the home side having gone unbeaten in their previous six home encounters with the Gunners, while Spurs boss Jose Mourinho is undefeated in all ten of his home clashes with Arsenal with his various clubs.
With both early-season form and recent history on Tottenham's side, it's going to take something special if Arteta's men are to come away from this one with the three points.
Here's 90min's preview of the game.
Where to Watch
When Is Kick Off? Sunday 6 December
What Time Is Kick Off? 16:30 (GMT)
Where Is it Played? Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
TV Channel/Live Stream? Sky Sports Main Event & Sky Sports Premier League (UK)
Referee? Martin Atkinson
Team News
To the surprise of many, Mourinho resisted the opportunity to start the mind games midweek and confirmed he does expect Harry Kane to be fit for the clash, though Spurs' star man is still likely to be assessed prior to kick off.
Kane's deputy Carlos Vinicius will also face a late fitness test alongside Sergio Reguilon and Toby Alderweireld, though the clash comes too soon to see the return of Erik Lamela. Hugo Lloris is another injury doubt, with reports suggesting backup goalkeeper Joe Hart may be called upon.
For the visitors, Arteta will be sweating over the fitness of summer arrival Thomas Partey. David Luiz remains a doubt following his sickening head clash with Raul Jimenez last week, while Nicolas Pepe misses out through suspension.
Predicted Lineups
Tottenham: Hart; Aurier, Alderweireld, Dier, Reguilon; Hojbjerg, Sissoko; Bergwijn, Ndombele, Son; Kane
Arsenal: Leno; Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Bellerin, Xhaka, Ceballos, Saka; Willian, Lacazette, Aubameyang
Recent Form
Spurs' disappointing draw at LASK on Thursday evening may have been a slight blotch on the form book, but it shouldn't take away from what has been a superb start to the campaign.
Mourinho's men are unbeaten in the league since their opening day defeat to Everton - a run stretching back nine games now - and sit top of the pile as we head into the hectic Christmas period.
It's been quite a different story for their north London neighbours. Some positive Europa League results have at least offered Arteta's side a crumb of comfort, though their form in the league of late has been dire.
Their 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford has long since been forgotten about, having gone three games without a win since then including a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Aston Villa.
Here's how each side has fared in their previous five outings in all competitions.
Tottenham
LASK 3-3 Tottenham (03/12)
Chelsea 0-0 Tottenham (29/11)
Tottenham 4-0 Ludogorets (26/11)
Tottenham 2-0 Manchester City (21/11)
West Bromwich Albion 0-1 Tottenham (8/11)
Arsenal
Arsenal 4-1 Rapid Wien (3/12)
Arsenal 1-2 Wolves (29/11)
Molde 0-3 Arsenal (26/11)
Leeds 0-0 Arsenal (22/11)
Arsenal 0-3 Aston Villa (08/11)
Prediction
It's usually difficult to call a derby match, but let's be honest - put aside the usual clichés and this looks a routine win for Spurs.
They're in fine form, Arsenal are playing terribly, the home side will have 2,000 fans backing them all the way and they've got a manager who just knows what he's doing in big games.
Sorry Arsenal fans, you can cling onto 'the form goes out of the window on derby day' all you like, there's only one winner in this one.
Prediction: Tottenham 3-1 Arsenal