Tottenham red card, Bukayo Saka Arsenal impact - North London derby result prediction

Tottenham look for revenge in the North London Derby as Igor Tudor takes charge of his first game against an Arsenal side reeling from their title race wobble at Wolves

The latest North London Derby arrives on Sunday afternoon with Arsenal and Tottenham in very different predicaments. Despite a recent blip, Mikel Arteta's side are favourites for the Premier League title while Spurs are just a few points off the relegation zone.

The latter's situation forced a decision to be made at the helm with Thomas Frank sacked and replaced by Igor Tudor as interim head coach until the end of the season. The Italian spoke to the press for the first time on Friday and was brutally honest on the task at hand.

The Gunners meanwhile, have played twice since Spurs' defeat at home to Newcastle but they failed to increase the gap to Manchester City following draws to Brentford and Wolves. Their most recent stalemate was a worrying collapse at the Premier League's bottom side with concerns increasing that

Overall form and squad quality places Arsenal as firm favourites over Spurs, but this is a derby and anything can happen. With that being said, football.london's writers have made their predictions for the huge clash that impacts both ends of the table.

Kieran Horn

A managerial change and Arsenal's recent setbacks means the North London Derby could not have arguably come at a better time for Tottenham.

On paper, the Gunners are far superior and undoubtedly have the best defence in the league but it has shown fragility and in front of what is likely to be a red-hot atmosphere, I expect Spurs to score.

The desperation for three points suggests an open and chaotic encounter with the phrase 'can't lose the derby' changing to 'must win the derby'.

I'm going for a repeat of Arsenal's last result with the hosts coming from a goal down to go in front before having a player sent off in the second half that allows Arteta's side to snatch a point.

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Luke Thrower

A week ago, I feel as though it would've been quite clear how this game will end up. However, it feels like the entire dynamic of the match has been turned on its head and the wider context of the encounter only ramps up the importance of a fixture that already has bragging rights on the line.

Tottenham could spring a few surprises with Igor Tudor in the dugout, in what may be viewed as a free hit for a first match in charge. The main concern I have for him is whether the players at his disposal will be capable of playing the way he wants, which usually involves a back three.

For Arsenal, their poor Premier League form means they need a real shot in the arm, and this could be just the fixture for it. That will require them standing up and taking the game by the scruff of the neck, viewing it less as their title to lose and seeing it more as theirs to win instead.

With how feisty a North London Derby can get, and with high stakes for both teams, I think we could be in store for another classic. But I think Arsenal should have just too much where it really counts, and their quality in both boxes should eventually shine through, with Bukayo Saka primed to make an impact off the back of penning his massive new Arsenal contract this week - so I'm going for a slim 1-0 win to the visitors.

Spurs 0-1 Arsenal

Matty Hewitt

Despite Arsenal's recent draws with Wolves and Brentford, I'm still backing the Gunners to have come away with all three points from the North London Derby. Spurs will be hoping for a new manager bounce under Igor Tudor, but I think Mikel Arteta's men will response to their recent poor performances with a strong display on the road.

The Gunners may have injury problems, but it's nowhere near the size of Tottenham's and Spurs have struggled at home in the Premier League.

It's made for a strange atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this season, with the LilyWhites winning just twice in the top flight.

I'm not expecting Tudor to work miracles in such a short period of time, and Arteta's men should show their title prowess on Sunday.

Spurs 1-2 Arsenal

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Amie Wilson

If you’d have asked me for my prediction to this game just a few weeks ago, you would have got a clear and confident answer, but a lot can change in just a few days in football.

Spurs will be looking for the new manager bounce following the appointment of Igor Tudor as interim manager, while Arsenal’s title hopes were handed a body blow midweek with Wolves’ late equaliser.

While I do rate Arsenal as a better team than Tottenham on performances this season, a derby does seem to equal things out. In a way, I think it will be better for the Gunners that the game is being played away from home, and any nervous energy that could be around the Emirates Stadium.

Despite the last week, I’m still backing Arsenal to come out on top. I think now is the time for the team to step up and show that they are capable of winning the title, and what better way to do that than by winning the North London Derby.

I don’t think the score will be as emphatic as November’s 4-1 win, but I’m going to back the Gunners to come out as 2-1 winners.

Spurs 1-2 Arsenal

Bruna Reis

Football is a funny old game, isn't it? A few weeks ago, predicting the outcome of the North London Derby would have been straight forward, given Arsenal's strong form and Spurs' downward slide.

But things look very different now after the Gunners' recent results and the arrival of Igor Tudor as Spurs' new interim head coach. We all know the impact a new manager bounce can have, and that could well come into play on Sunday.

Spurs will head into the game feeling confident and eager to show their new manager what they're capable of, while Arsenal's confidence has taken a hit in recent matches - especially after that late equaliser at Wolves on Wednesday.

I'm still backing Arsenal to win the Premier League, but there will be some nervousness among fans and players if things don't start well for them.

They desperately need a win here, and they must do whatever it takes to come away with three points, because Manchester City won't mess about. A draw or defeat could potentially spell the end of their title bid.

With all that in mind, I'm predicting a narrow 1-0 Arsenal win.

Spurs 0-1 Arsenal