Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal: Defeat’s not an option but a draw’s no good either

Never before has a north London derby meant so much for both Spurs and Arsenal. The visitors haven’t given up hope of snatching the Premier League title off the leaders Chelsea while Spurs are right in the hunt with Manchester City for the fourth Champions League spot. A win tonight will give the victor’s aspirations a massive boost. Defeat though will almost certainly spell the end for the losers.

Arsenal head to White Hart Lane without a number of first team regulars but they have an excellent record at their rivals. They haven’t lost there in more than a decade in the league and that 2-1 win back in 1999 was the last time Spurs beat Arsenal in the Premier League. However, seven of the last nine clashes at the Lane have ended in draws and that will not be enough for either side in the grand scheme of things.

Tottenham also enter the game without a number of top stars and will still be smarting from their shock FA Cup defeat at Portsmouth on Sunday. With Manchester City hitting form at the right time, Redknapp will be demanding a response from his players. But so will Wenger following their 4-1 beating at the Nou Camp. The Frenchman may also decide to throw Robin Van Persie back into the fold after spell on the sidelines – a move which will give the Gunners a huge lift.

North London derbies are always captivating viewing but with so much at stake nobody will be able to take their eyes off this one.

Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal; Kick Off 8pm 14 April 2010

Prediction Panel

Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Dave Blackburn : 0 - 0
Chris Cox : TBC
Graham Enwright : 2 - 1
Sue Gardener : 1 - 3
Chris Goodwin : 0 - 0
Paul Grech (sqf) : TBC
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 1 - 2
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : 1 - 1
Peter Lee : 1 - 1
Don McMahon : 1 - 1
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 1 – 1
Paul O'Meara (sqf) : TBC
Dave Nash : 2 - 0
Stephen Orford (sqf) : TBC
Tony Ratton : TBC
Peter Rendle : 2 - 2
Dan Taylor : 1 - 1
Andy Wakeman : 1 - 1
Isaac Williams : TBC
Mark Williams : 1 - 2

Panel Verdict

The Panel sees the honours being shared.

Home: 1; Draw: 9; Away: 3; TBC: 6.

* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!