Sports Mole

Looking to respond positively from major disappointment at the weekend, Tottenham Hotspur will travel to Championship side Coventry City in the third round of the EFL Cup on Wednesday night.

Spurs are in the West Midlands following a North London derby defeat to bitter rivals Arsenal, with the Sky Blues aiming to cause an upset against a Premier League giant at The Coventry Building Society Arena.

Match preview

After a lacklustre one-goal defeat to Norwich City at the CBS Arena prior to the international break, Coventry returned from their two-week hiatus with a respectable point at the home of in-form Watford in the Championship on Saturday afternoon, although the visitors arguably should have collected maximum points.

A hero of the Sky Blues' FA Cup campaign during 2023-24, Ellis Simms fired his troops into the lead at Vicarage Road and Mark Robins's side should have been three or four ahead by the half-time whistle, however a second goal never materialised, with Hornets' midfielder Tom Dele-Bashiru forcing a share of the spoils.

With a strong recent history of competing for promotion to the Premier League via the playoffs, there is genuine expectation from supporters for Coventry to do the same this season, although Wednesday's hosts have endured a stuttering start to their second-tier mission, winning just one of five contests, meaning that they are languishing in 15th place.

Two of the Sky Blues' three competitive victories so far in 2024-25 have arrived in the EFL Cup, with the West Midlands outfit having goals from former Sunderland and Everton marksman Simms and summer signing Brandon Thomas-Asante to thank for wins over Bristol City and Oxford United respectively.

Whilst one-time winners of the FA Cup, Coventry's pedigree in this competition is less impressive, with Robins's men dumped out of the EFL Cup at the first-round stage last season by League Two side AFC Wimbledon, who netted two in quick succession during the final five minutes at The Cherry Red Records Stadium in August 2023.

For a third straight match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium against their North London nemesis, Spurs were dealt the horrible blow of derby defeat on Sunday afternoon, when a second-half header from Arsenal centre-back Gabriel snatched maximum Premier League points for Mikel Arteta's visitors.

With the Gunners missing influential duo Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice in the engine room, the Lilywhites dominated proceedings in terms of possession and created the majority of the chances, however their inability to convert statistics into goals reared its ugly head once again.

As usual suspects Manchester City and Arsenal sit in the top spots at the head of the Premier League table, Spurs are battling in 13th position after collecting just four points from as many matches, with their only victory coming against a helpless Everton side on August 24.

Despite his men failing to click in front of goal so far this campaign, Ange Postecoglou has remained bullish when questioned over the Lilywhites' trophy-winning credentials, claiming that he is confident of guiding the North Londoners to silverware after a 16-year drought.

Amid their enjoyment of a 10-game unbeaten start to the Premier League last season, Spurs were dumped out of the EFL Cup at the second-round stage - lazily giving up a chance of a trophy - by London neighbours Fulham, with a much-changed visiting XI losing at Craven Cottage following a penalty shootout.

Coventry City EFL Cup form:

Coventry City form (all competitions):

Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):

Team News

Unable to bring on a midfield alternative at Watford on the weekend, Coventry are suffering massively from the absence of Ben Sheaf, who is fighting to be back at the end of the month from a leg injury.

The Sky Blues picked up a fresh fitness concern at Vicarage Road, where Joel Latibeaudiere was forced off in the second period with a knock.

Tatsuhiro Sakamoto's injury-riddled 2024 has continued into the new campaign, with the Japanese winger out of action until October due to an ankle issue.

Tottenham remain without the services of forward Richarlison, with the Brazilian in the visitors' medical room as he continues to recover from a muscle injury.

As a result, £65m summer arrival Dominic Solanke could continue at the tip of the Spurs attack following his home debut for the club on Sunday.

Yves Bissouma is a doubt for the trip to the CBS Arena, meaning that midfielders Pape Sarr and Lucas Bergvall have a good chance of earning starts.

Making cameos off the bench in the North London derby defeat, Wilson Odobert and Timo Werner could be tasked with causing Coventry damage from the first while on Wednesday night.

Coventry City possible starting lineup:

Wilson; Van Ewijk, Binks, Thomas, Bidwell; Allen, Eccles, Mason-Clark, Rudoni, Wright; Simms

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Forster; Porro, Romero, Dragusin, Davies; Gray, Sarr, Kulusevski; Werner, Odobert, Solanke

We say: Coventry City 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur

After exiting the EFL Cup at the first opportunity last season, we are expecting Tottenham to be desperate to move one step closer to a long-awaited piece of silverware.

Coventry have shown their ability to compete with Premier League giants in cup competitions recently, however we do not believe that Wednesday night will be a memorable one for the Sky Blues.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has seemingly promised to deliver a piece of silverware to the club's supporters this season following their 1-0 loss to Arsenal in the North London derby.

The Lilywhites' underwhelming start to the 2024-25 season continued in front of the home crowd, where Gabriel Magalhaes's second-half header saw a depleted Arsenal side come away with all three points.

The Gunners travelled to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium without two of their three first-choice midfielders in Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, while Oleksandr Zinchenko, Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino were also among the visitors' absentees.

In contrast, Tottenham had record signing Dominic Solanke and key centre-back Micky van de Ven back in their ranks for the derby, in which they dominated the possession and shot counter but were left to lament familiar mistakes.

After conceding twice from corners in this fixture last season, Spurs were exposed at set-pieces again for Gabriel's goal, while also showcasing a distinct lack of ruthlessness and creativity in the final third despite their offensive setup.

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Postecoglou: 'I always win things in my second year'

Tottenham's loss to their long-time adversaries leaves them in the bottom half of the Premier League table with just four points from their first four matches of the season, and attention now turns to their midweek EFL Cup trip to Coventry City.

Spurs have not lifted a major trophy since triumphing in that tournament in the 2007-08 season, but Postecoglou arrived in North London with an extensive CV of winning silverware, having clinched 12 senior crowns throughout his managerial career.

Speaking to Sky Sports News after Sunday's loss, the 58-year-old remained bullish about Spurs' chances of lifting a trophy this season, affirming that he never fails to win silverware in his second year in a job.

Asked if he has seen enough from his Spurs side to suggest that they can conquer a competition this season, Postecoglou replied: "Can I answer the question or are you going to keep asking it?

"Absolutely. I'll correct myself, I don't usually win things, I always win things in my second year. Nothing has changed. I just said it now so I don't say things unless I believe them."

Does Postecoglou "always win" trophies in his second year?

Postecoglou only spent two years in the Celtic job before jumping ship for Tottenham, but true to his word, the Australian delivered a Scottish Premiership, Cup and League Cup treble to the Bhoys faithful in his second season.

The Spurs boss had already won a Scottish League Cup crown in his first year in the job, though, but his solitary Japanese top-flight title with Yokohama F Marinos did come in his second year in 2018-19.

Postecoglou's penchant for second-season success is not just limited to club football, as he also led Australia to an Asian Cup title two years after taking charge and guided Brisbane Roar to the 2010-11 Australian A-League title after joining in 2009.

In fact, the only senior job where Postecoglou has not won a major honour in his second season came with South Melbourne FC, whom he took charge of in 1995 and did not earn a trophy with until 1998.

There is otherwise more than enough evidence to back up the 59-year-old's claim, but if Sunday's dreary showing is anything to go by, his second-season streak will not hold up much longer.

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Arsenal have won three successive Premier League away North London derbies for the first time ever courtesy of a gritty 1-0 victory over a toothless Tottenham Hotspur.

Despite missing a handful of key players through injury and suspension, Mikel Arteta's men put in a quintessentially rock-solid defensive display and earned the local bragging rights once again thanks to a second-half Gabriel Magalhaes, as the hosts' set-piece weaknesses proved costly once more.

A Gunners XI ruing the absences of Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice initially struggled to contain a Lilywhites side boosted by Dominic Solanke and Micky van de Ven, the former of whom engaged in some gripping battles with the visitors' two big centre-backs.

Wasted chances from the hosts allowed Arsenal a slight foothold in the game, but while the goalmouth action was rather limited, there was no shortage of customary derby flashpoints, including one big fracas after a Jurrien Timber challenge on Pedro Porro.

The Dutchman managed to escape with a booking, one of a staggering seven cautions that card-happy referee Jarred Gillett dished out in the first half, as the derby threatened to rival the record-breaking 14 yellows shared by Bournemouth and Chelsea on Saturday night.

Seven cautions already marked the joint-most in the first half of a Premier League game - as former Arsenal man Paul Merson put it, Gillett was handing out bookings "like ice creams" - and a succession of failed set-pieces did neither side any favours too.

However, after scoring two of their three goals at this ground from corners last season, Arsenal produced another Nicolas Jover special just after the hour mark, when Gabriel headed in Bukayo Saka's perfect corner in front of a delirious away end.

Both before and after Gabriel's 15th Premier League goal, it was all bark and no bite as far as Tottenham were concerned in the final third, as Arsenal surged up to second place ahead of what will already be a top-of-the-table showdown against Manchester City in eight days' time.

As for their crestfallen rivals in white, Ange Postecoglou's side continue to languish in an unlucky 13th place, and questions will continue to be asked about Tottenham's increasingly worrying lack of killer instinct.

TOTTENHAM VS. ARSENAL HIGHLIGHTS

Gabriel Magalhaes goal vs. Tottenham (64th min, Tottenham 0-1 Arsenal)

Breakthrough for the men in black! After so many fluffed set-pieces and corner routines in the first half, it is dead-ball deja vu for both sides at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and it is far too easy for Arsenal in front of the away end.

Saka whips in a sublime inswinging corner right into the corridor of uncertainty, where Gabriel frees himself of Cristian Romero's clutches and directs a bullet header over the futile outstretched arm of Guglielmo Vicario.

The Italian decided against coming out to meet the delivery when it was arguably there to be won, and he is punished. Arsenal remain the set-piece kings, Spurs remain as frail as ever from such situations.

MAN OF THE MATCH - GABRIEL MAGALHAES

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Good luck finding a more passionate celebration than Gabriel's for the rest of the month, and potentially the rest of the Premier League season, as the South American powerhouse flaunted his set-piece prowess once more for Premier League goal number 15.

Not only a formidable presence in the Tottenham box, Gabriel was near-faultless defensively, putting in seven clearances, two blocks and two tackles to preserve an incredibly hard-fought three points and clean sheet for the visitors.

TOTTENHAM VS. ARSENAL MATCH STATS

Possession: Tottenham 63%-37% Arsenal

Shots: Tottenham 15-7 Arsenal

Shots on target: Tottenham 5-4 Arsenal

Corners: Tottenham 7-6 Arsenal

Fouls: Tottenham 13-10 Arsenal

BEST STATS

WHAT NEXT?

Both teams have midweek commitments to fulfil before returning to Premier League action, as Spurs head to Coventry City for Wednesday's EFL Cup third-round clash, the day before Arsenal begin their Champions League campaign away to Atalanta BC.

Postecoglou's side then have another London derby on their agenda, hosting Brentford next Saturday, while the Gunners face possibly their most difficult challenge of the season on Sunday, away to Manchester City.

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Arsenal have been dealt yet another untimely injury blow, as Oleksandr Zinchenko is missing from the squad to face North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

The Ukraine international was expected to be part of the team for the trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, most likely on the bench as Jurrien Timber's deputy at left-back.

However, when the Gunners' team sheet was released, Zinchenko was a notable and unexpected absentee, as Mikel Arteta did not mention an injury for him in his pre-game press conference.

Arsenal confirmed that the former Manchester City man is nursing a calf problem, though, robbing the visitors of another versatile option in defence and midfield amid their ongoing fitness crisis.

Captain Martin Odegaard has also failed to make the cut due to his ankle problem, while the suspended Declan Rice is also out of contention alongside Mikel Merino, Riccardo Calafiori, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney.

With so few senior options available, Arteta has named five teenagers on the Arsenal bench, as the recalled Jorginho captains the visitors in a hotchpotch engine room also comprising Thomas Partey and either Leandro Trossard or Kai Havertz.

> Click here to see how Arsenal and Tottenham line up for the North London derby

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Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is absent from the Gunners' squad against North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

The Norway international misses the first derby of the season after suffering an ankle sprain during the international break, although Mikel Arteta refused to rule him out in his pre-game press conference.

However, the Spaniard's comments were just smoke and mirrors, and Odegaard is unavailable as expected, forcing Arteta into a midfield reshuffle with Declan Rice and Mikel Merino also missing out.

Either Leandro Trossard or Kai Havertz could fill the Odegaard void in the number 10 role, while Jorginho is also recalled in place of the suspended Rice and wears the captain's armband for the away side.

Riccardo Calafiori is also missing from the Arsenal team due to the calf problem he picked up while playing for Italy, while Oleksandr Zinchenko is an unexpected absentee due to a calf injury.

Gabriel Jesus is back on the bench after a groin complaint, though, while Raheem Sterling could also make his debut as a substitute following his loan move from Chelsea.

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Dominic Solanke, Micky van de Ven start for Spurs

There are no fewer than five teenagers on the Arsenal bench, as Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ayden Heaven, Maldini Kacurri and Ismeal Kabia make up the numbers for the injury-hit visitors.

In contrast, Tottenham have received two huge boosts on the team news front, as Dominic Solanke and Micky van de Ven are both fit to start after shaking off their own concerns.

The former joins Brennan Johnson and Son Heung-min in an incredibly offensive Tottenham XI, also comprising Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison alongside Rodrigo Bentancur in an attack-heavy midfield.

The hosts are without Yves Bissouma due to the knock he picked up on international duty, though, while Richarlison is also still absent on account of his training injury.

In total, Ange Postecoglou has made four changes from the defeat to Newcastle United two weekends ago, as Wilson Odobert also drops to the bench in favour of the recalled Johnson.

Tottenham Hotspur: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Kulusevski, Bentancur, Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Son

Subs: Forster, Spence, Davies, Dragusin, Gray, Sarr, Bergvall, Odobert, Werner

Arsenal: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Trossard, Partey, Jorginho; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli

Subs: Neto, Kiwior, Heaven, Kacurri, Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly, Jesus, Sterling, Kabia

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Real Madrid have reportedly deployed their chief scout to run the rule over Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur defenders during Sunday's Premier League North London derby.

Despite losing the long-serving Nacho Fernandez at the end of the 2023-24 season, Los Blancos opted against signing a new centre-back in the summer window, where Endrick and Kylian Mbappe were their only arrivals.

The reigning Champions League and La Liga holders were thought to have been in prime position to sign Leny Yoro from Lille, but they never agreed a fee with their French counterparts, who ultimately sold him to Manchester United.

Head coach Carlo Ancelotti decided that he was satisfied with his central options of David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao and Jesus Vallejo, while 19-year-old Jacobo Ramon is also involved in the first-team picture.

Alaba is still on the mend from his ACL problem, though, and Vallejo does not appear to have a long-term future at the Bernabeu, meaning that central reinforcements are expected to be a priority in 2025.

Real Madrid 'to scout William Saliba, Cristian Romero' in North London derby

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According to Defensa Central Real Madrid's chief scout Juni Calafat will be in attendance at Sunday's North London derby, where he will be keeping an eye on the displays of William Saliba and Cristian Romero.

Los Blancos supposedly regard both centre-backs as players with 'enormous potential', although they are currently prioritising a deal for Saliba due to his age and belief that he could end up becoming a 'better' defender.

Furthermore, Real Madrid are anticipating an extremely difficult period of negotiations with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy for Romero, who like Saliba still has three years left to run on his contract.

Unlike in La Liga, where release clauses are often included in a player's contract as standard, neither Saliba nor Romero possess a buyout option, meaning that Arsenal and Tottenham would hold all the cards in negotiations.

Real Madrid have supposedly ruled out spending a world-record €100m (£84.5m) on either player, though, as they believe that such fees should be reserved for attackers or midfielders rather than defenders.

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However, should Los Blancos have a change of heart and pull off the nine-figure signing of Romero or Saliba, they would become the most expensive centre-back of all time, a title currently held by Josko Gvardiol following his €90m (£76m) switch to Manchester City in 2023.

Are Saliba, Romero worth world-record money?

In the case of Saliba in particular, Arsenal are arguably well-positioned to demand a world-record fee for a defender, as there is a consensus that the Frenchman is now one of the best centre-backs on the planet.

Still just 23 years old, the former Saint-Etienne starlet has also finally become an undisputed starter for his country - which only bumps up his value further - although it would be a shock to see Arsenal consider any offers world-record or not.

Tottenham could also expect to make a healthy profit if they ever sold Romero, who joined the Lilywhites from Atalanta BC for £43.9m in 2022 after a successful loan, although he is three years Saliba's senior.

The Argentina international's rash nature has been well-documented too, so an £80m+ move may be out of the question for him, but Tottenham will certainly pull out all the stops to keep him if Real Madrid do come knocking.

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Spurs vs. Arsenal (Sunday, 2.00pm)

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This weekend's Premier League main event comes from a raucous Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where Ange Postecoglou's Spurs and Arsenal clash in the first North London derby of the season on Sunday afternoon.

The Lilywhites entered the international break on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United, while the Gunners lost their perfect start in a controversial 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion.

We say: Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Arsenal

Merino-Rice-Odegaard would have been the perfect Arsenal midfield for Sunday's blockbuster derby, but the Gunners now face being overrun in the engine room while also losing Odegaard's invaluable ingenuity in the final third.

Arteta's troops can still expose Spurs' frailties at the back, but we cannot see a way for the visitors to earn the derby bragging rights with their current selection crisis; North London should be lilywhite this weekend.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

> A makeshift midfield: Arsenal predicted lineup against Tottenham

> Will Solanke lead the line? Tottenham predicted XI against Arsenal

> No first-choice midfielders? Arsenal injury list for Tottenham clash

> Solanke status, Van de Ven latest: Spurs injury news for Arsenal clash

> Spurs to earn North London derby bragging rights: Premier League GW4 predictions

> Son Heung-min's record vs. Arsenal

> Bukayo Saka's record vs. Tottenham Hotspur

> "Clear psychological edge", "they can bully them" - Spurs vs. Arsenal predictions

> Could Sterling up front be the answer to Arsenal's selection crisis?

> Skipper swap: Six players who could captain Arsenal in Odegaard's absence

> Nwaneri's time to shine? Arsenal's three possible Odegaard replacements

Wolves vs. Newcastle (Sunday, 4.30pm)

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Wolverhampton Wanderers and Newcastle United have the honour of closing out this weekend's Premier League fixtures with a Sunday afternoon showdown at Molineux.

Gary O'Neil's men are still searching for their first top-flight win of 2024-25, while the Magpies have accrued a promising seven points from their first three games of the new term.

We say: Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-2 Newcastle United

Each of the nine previous Premier League showdowns between Wolves and Newcastle at Molineux has seen both teams score, and we can see that streak stretching to 10 on Sunday, taking into account Wolves' lack of clean sheets and the Magpies facing the most shots in the Premier League so far this term (54).

The potential returns of Schar and Tonali will add a bit more backbone to the visitors' XI, though, and the irrepressible trio up front should do what they do best to fire Howe's side to a gritty victory.

Arsenal attacker Bukayo Saka could join an exclusive club of Gunners players should he score against Tottenham Hotspur in Sunday's Premier League North London derby.

The 23-year-old has already made his presence felt in Arsenal's first three games of the new season with four direct goal contributions, one of his own and three assists.

After both scoring and setting up Kai Havertz in the Gunners' opening success over Wolverhampton Wanderers, Saka set up goals against Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion before the international break.

The England international also thrived in North London derbies last term, tucking away a penalty in Arsenal's 2-2 Emirates draw before notching their second in their enthralling 3-2 away success.

Having scored in both of Arsenal's clashes with bitter rivals Tottenham in 2023-24, Saka is now bidding to become just the third Arsenal player to score in three straight North London derbies.

Saka out to match Robert Pires, Emmanuel Adebayor records

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The first Gunners man to score in three or more successive appearances against Tottenham was Invincible winger Robert Pires, who netted in four straight North London derbies from 2002 to 2004.

The Frenchman struck in both of his appearances against Spurs in Arsenal's 2003-04 title-winning campaign, as the Gunners clinched the league at White Hart Lane on the final day, and his eight goals against Spurs overall was more than he managed against any other team in his career.

The second and most recent Arsenal player to achieve that North London derby feat was Emmanuel Adebayor, who incredibly registered in five straight matches versus Spurs from 2006 to 2008.

That streak includes a brace away from home in the 2007-08 campaign, although he also scored against the Gunners for both Tottenham and Manchester City, memorably running to celebrate in front of the Arsenal faithful while playing for the latter in 2009.

While Saka will no doubt bomb down the right wing for Arsenal, Mikel Arteta has an alternative option to Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard on the left in the shape of Raheem Sterling, who could now make his Gunners debut.

Arteta reveals "10-second" decision over Sterling transfer

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The Chelsea loanee was not eligible to make his debut against Brighton two weekends ago due to his late deadline day arrival, but he is now in line to become the first Arsenal player to make their first appearance in a North London derby since Isaiah Rankin in 1997.

Sterling was a former student of Arteta's at Manchester City, and the Gunners boss revealed that he was convinced about bringing him to the Emirates after just 10 seconds on the phone with him.

"The first call I had with him, I knew straight away after 10 seconds, we have to bring him because he really wanted it, you know," Arteta told reporters in Friday's press conference.

"And that was my only question mark, what stage is he at in his career, but I knew already after 10 seconds. Bring him here. He has this ability and the credit for that is him and the players that he has around him. You need that if you're one of the front players. He has that intuition, that will and ability to do that. I'm sure he's going to impact the team."

Arteta also issued the latest on Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus's injuries before Arsenal's trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where they have won their last two fixtures against their bitter foes.

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Chaos and controversy can be expected on Sunday afternoon, when Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal renew hostilities in the first North London derby of the Premier League season.

The Lilywhites are six places and three points worse off than their visitors in the early-season standings, and here Sports Mole rounds up the team news for both clubs.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR vs. ARSENAL

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TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Out: Richarlison (unspecified)

Doubtful: Dominic Solanke (ankle), Micky van de Ven (knee), Yves Bissouma (knock)

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Sarr, Bentancur; Kulusevski, Maddison, Son; Solanke

ARSENAL

Out: Declan Rice (suspended), Mikel Merino (shoulder), Kieran Tierney (hamstring), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee)

Doubtful: Gabriel Jesus (groin), Riccardo Calafiori (calf), Martin Odegaard (ankle)

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Havertz, Partey, Jorginho; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly concerned that either Arsenal or Manchester City could hijack their proposed £68m deal for Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze.

The 26-year-old was thought to have been a summer target for several top clubs after a stellar 2023-24 season, in which he scored 11 goals and set up four more in 27 Premier League matches.

Even though Eze's contract at Selhurst Park does not expire for another three seasons, the Eagles would have been powerless had an interested party triggered his release clause, thought to be worth £68m.

However, no club made a move before that option expired, and Eze has since started the 2024-25 season as he means to go on with two goals from four matches across all tournaments.

The England international's £68m release clause reportedly re-activates next summer, though, and according to FootballTransfers, Spurs came the closest to prising him away from Palace this summer.

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Tottenham 'worried' Eze's head has been turned

The report claims that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy went on the charm offensive earlier this year, inviting Eze and his family to April's North London derby against Arsenal and even reaching a gentleman's agreement with the player.

However, the Lilywhites were supposedly then informed by Eze's entourage that they had been contacted by some of their Premier League rivals, and the Palace man put his move to Tottenham on ice as a result.

Instead, the North London giants struck a deal to sign Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth for a club-record £65m, and they will most likely reignite their pursuit of Eze at the end of the current campaign.

Ange Postecoglou's side are apparently now concerned that either Man City or Arsenal have managed to turn Eze's head, though, and they will likely need to qualify for the Champions League to stand a chance of winning the race.

The 26-year-old boasts a total of 28 goals and 17 assists in 128 matches for Palace across all competitions since joining from Queens Park Rangers in 2020, commanding a £15m fee to leave Loftus Road.

Which club would be the best fit for Eze?

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An incredibly versatile and tricky attacker who is just about to hit his prime years, Eze would be a dream for any of the three aforementioned sides, and £68m is not an outlandish price for a player of his quality.

The 26-year-old tends to either thrive on the left or through the middle as a number 10, and Arsenal could certainly do with a player in the latter profile if Fabio Vieira ultimately fails to make the grade.

A left-winger would also not go amiss at the Emirates, as Leandro Trossard turns 30 in December and has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, while Raheem Sterling's loan should not be made permanent either.

However, Eze may very well be regarded as a natural successor to Kevin De Bruyne at Manchester City, as the Belgian's contract only runs until 2025, but regular starts are never a guarantee at the Etihad.