Tottenham vs Arsenal Prediction and Betting Tips: Saliba a tasty price in the shots market

The stakes are high for the second and final North London derby of the season and Jimmy The Punt has two tips for the occasion. 

Tottenham are in pursuit of a top four finish while Arsenal have their title ambitions to maintain. 

Both sides come into this clash off the back of contrasting results. 

The Gunners were in midweek action thumping Chelsea 5-0 to move temporarily clear at the top of the Premier League.

Tottenham were not present for the FA Cup semi-finals and with no European duties Spurs have had two weeks to prepare for the match. 

They signed off with a 4-0 defeat at St James’ Park during which an uncharacteristically poor Son Heung-min was hooked before the hour mark. 

Ange Postecoglou will be hoping his talisman will return in better form. 

Son may be joined in attack by Richarlison, giving them almost a full strength squad, the only exception being Destiny Udogie who looks unlikely to play a part. 

Jurrien Timber is nearing a return for Arsenal, he is back on the grass playing for the reserve team although Sunday’s clash may come too soon for the Dutchman.

Arsenal are the best side in the division from set pieces, their total of 19 goals scored from them is four better then second best Everton.

Although the fact they are overperforming their xG of 13.26 by some distance suggests some fortune, they have been doing it for so long now you just have to accept they are dead ball specialists. 

The issue from a punting perspective is, the Gunners have a set piece coach and are constantly tinkering with the set piece taker and the target of said set piece. 

The first, second and third point of contact is constantly changing as is the designated person to score the goal. This is what makes defending them so tricky never mind trying to second guess exactly which playing is going to benefit them. 

On this occasion, I am going to take a punt on William Sabila not to score but just to shoot. 

The Frenchman has netted twice this season but averages 0.2 shots per game. At the prices available though, this simply cannot be scoffed at. 

It helps that Spurs are one of the worst sides at defending set pieces with the third worse xGA. 

Also factor in the occasion and the derby aspect and the likelihood of this match will be settled by a dead ball situation increases, in my book anyway. 

Saliba is 18/1 to have two or more shots, a feat he has not managed this term but there is every chance against Spurs. 

Spurs hybrid zonal, man marking system meant James Maddison was marking Fabian Schar against Newcastle. Schar scored, as did Kurt Zouma recently for West Ham. 

Best of luck , if you are backing any of the selections and please remember to gamble responsibly.