Tottenham vs Arsenal
Premier League 2018-19
Venue: Wembley Stadium
Date: Saturday, 2 March, 2019
Kick-off: 12:30pm GMT
After seeing any lingering title hopes surely extinguished by successive defeats, third-place Tottenham have no time to lick their wounds as they host Arsenal in the latest instalment of the north London derby at Wembley this afternoon.
Following a shock result at Burnley, Spurs were totally insipid against another capital rival in Chelsea on Wednesday night, failing to register a shot on target for the first time under Mauricio Pochettino as they slumped to a 2-0 loss at Stamford Bridge.
Tottenham may now be casting nervous glances downwards with 10 matches remaining as they look to avoid being permanently dragged into the busy race for a top-four finish, with resurgent Manchester United only five points behind in fifth and fourth-place Arsenal just four points adrift.
The Gunners maintained their slender advantage over United by thrashing travel-sick Bournemouth 5-1 at the Emirates Stadium and will look to complete a satisfying double over their fiercest rivals.
Tottenham team news
Pochettino remains unsure exactly when Dele Alli will return from a hamstring injury that has kept him out since January, while Eric Dier - who had surgery to remove his appendix in December - has been suffering from tonsillitis.
Jan Vertonghen missed the defeat to Chelsea with a hip problem, though his manager expressed hope that the issue was not serious.
Harry Kane - only recently back from an ankle ligament injury - has been told he will face no further action after appearing to headbutt Cesar Azpilicueta on Wednesday evening.
Predicted Tottenham XI [3-4-1-2]: Lloris; Alderweireld, Sanchez, Vertonghen; Aurier, Winks, Sissoko, Rose; Eriksen; Son, Kane
Arsenal team news
Unai Emery hopes that Laurent Koscielny will be fit to play at the weekend after picking up a knock during the closing stages against Bournemouth.
Hector Bellerin, Danny Welbeck and Rob Holding are all long-term absentees.
Predicted Arsenal XI [3-4-2-1]: Leno; Sokratis, Koscielny, Mustafi; Maitland-Niles, Xhaka, Torreira, Kolasinac; Mkhitaryan; Aubameyang; Lacazette
Score prediction: Tottenham 2-2 Arsenal
Tottenham, who travel to Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday, need to produce a positive result after such a tumultuous few days.
However, Arsenal will be only too aware that both United and Chelsea are in action against relegation contenders this weekend and that a slip-up at Wembley is likely to result in them losing their grip on fourth spot.
It is easy to foresee an entertaining draw with a few goals to boot.
