Arsenal Vs Spurs: Another classic showdown?
The north London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur will take centre stage during Week 4 of the 2019-20 Premier League season.
The two rivals will clash on Sunday in what will be the final league contest before the international break.
Spurs will travel to the Emirates Stadium with plenty of question marks surrounding the team following the 1-0 upset loss against Newcastle United.
The Magpies came into the contest without any points but held their own relatively easily against Spurs.
The video assistant referee could have handed the hosts a penalty for contact between Harry Kane and Jamaal Lascelles, but all in all, Tottenham created far too few dangerous looks.
The Gunners are also coming off a loss, with individual mistakes proving costly against Champions League titleholders Liverpool. Unai Emery’s troops look far more settled, however, and will feel good about their chances in the derby.
After three matches, Arsenal are third in the standings with 6 points while Tottenham are seventh with 4 points.
Both sides come into the first north London derby of the year on the back of defeats.
Arsenal lost 3-1 at Liverpool last time out. As for Spurs, they lost 1-0 at home to Newcastle.
Arsenal took another beating on Merseyside at the weekend, but the Gunners did at least glimpse the potential of club-record signing Nicolas Pepe.
The former Lille winger kept Liverpool defenders on their heels with his pace, direct running and ability to break from deep.
Had his finishing been better, Pepe would have had at least one goal to mark his first full start for his new club:
Pepe is giving Arsenal a dimension the team has lacked in recent seasons. The Gunners now pose a greater threat on the counter with the Ivory Coast international in the lineup.
Plus, they can break down a deep defensive block with a player who can trick his way through multiple defenders and take them out of the game.
It’s a different problem for Spurs to handle. Tottenham could operate with a back three to help deny Pepe and striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang space.
Deploying an extra centre-back would also make room for another man up top. Putting Lucas Moura alongside Harry Kane would help Spurs drag Luiz out of position and possibly force the Brazilian into a few more costly mistakes.
In a boost for Tottenham, Dele Alli could make his first appearance of the season against Arsenal.
As revealed in the Telegraph, Alli is ready to return to action:
Tottenham Hotspur expect Dele Alli to return to action in their North London derby away to Arsenal on Sunday.
The attacking midfielder suffered another hamstring injury over the summer and only returned to training with the first team last week.
However, should Alli start against Arsenal, the assumption is that he’d take the place of either Erik Lamela or Lucas Moura in the Tottenham team.
Elsewhere, Manchester United visit Southampton, Manchester City host Brighton & Hove Albion, Chelsea face Sheffield United, and Liverpool travel to Burnley.
Manchester United also suffered a surprise defeat in Week 3, losing at home to Crystal Palace, and will now travel south for a date with Southampton.
Things have not gone well since manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer got the job on a permanent basis.
Liverpool will put their perfect record on the line away to Burnley, who battled to draw against Wolves after conceding a late penalty.
Southampton vs Man Utd: After suffering a shocking 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace at Old Trafford, Manchester United will be looking to get back on course in the Premier League when they face Southampton at St. Mary’s Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Red Devils were more than unfortunate not to grab something from the Palace game and they are definitely capable of beating the Saints on Matchday 4.
Brighton vs Man City: An epic Premier League title race reaches its climax on Sunday as Manchester Citytravel to the Amex Stadium to take on Brighton.
Pep Guardiola’s men have been neck-and-neck with Liverpool all season, but go into the final day a point clear at the summit after a run of 13 consecutive victories.
Having won each of their last four meetings with this opposition.
Chelsea vs Sheffield: Chelsea will be looking to build on a 3-2 win over Norwich City when they host Sheffield United at their Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.
The Blues recorded their first win of the season at Carrow Road, with Abraham scoring a brace for the capital club.
The attacker of Nigerian descent is likely to keep his place in the starting XI and we believe that the 21-year-old is likely to pose a big threat for the opposition defenders.
Burnley Vs Liverpool: Liverpool travel to Burnley on Saturday looking to continue their perfect start to the Premier League season.Jurgen Klopp’s side earned their third win from as many games on Saturday, with Mohamed Salah’s brace and Joel Matip’s header helping the Merseyside outfit past Arsenal at Anfield.