Arsenal vs. Tottenham: Preview and Prediction for the North London Derby

Who: Arsenal vs. Tottenham

What: North London Derby

When: Saturday, November 20. 12:45 GMT

Where: Emirates Stadium

Are you ready for the North London Derby? I know I am. With both teams looking to repeat their Top 4 performances from last season, there's plenty on the line on Saturday. Here's your complete preview and prediction for the weekend's best showdown.

Likely Lineups

Phil Cole/Getty Images

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Jermain Defoe of Tottenham battles for the header with Steve Gohouri of Wigan during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Wigan Athletic at White Hart Lane on August 28, 2010 in London, England. (P

Spurs' Probable Starters

Gomes

Kaboul

Gallas

Assou-Ekotto

Hutton

Modric

Jenas

Bale

Van der Vaart

Defoe

Crouch

Note: Defoe is questionable for action. If he doesn’t play, Pavlyuchenko will likely take his place.

Gunners' Probable Starters

Fabianski

Djourou

Squillaci

Clichy

Sagna

Song

Wilshere

Fabregas

Arshavin

Chamakh

Nasri

Who’s in Form?

Scott Heavey/Getty Images

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 10: Cesc Fabregas of Arsenal reacts during the Barclays Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal, at Molineux on November 10, 2010 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images)

Have a look for yourselves. According to the latest B/R Power Rankings, they both are.

Do I really think these are the best two teams in the Premiership? Not really. But I know there’s a reason they each finished in the Top 4 last year, and neither side has regressed since.

Tottenham’s taken some tough results recently, and were winless in four league games prior to this weekend’s shellacking of Blackburn. However, this can be partially attributed to a demanding Champions League schedule that Spurs are unaccustomed to, as well as a recent plague of injuries. We’ll see if the health improves by Saturday, but having a full week’s rest can’t hurt.

For Arsenal, things have been very good of late. Fifteen points in their last 18 and a second-place spot in the League table is a very impressive run of form, but will all that matter against their hated rivals?

Maybe, maybe not. Derbies always tend to be dramatic, and I can’t say I expect a romp for Gunners here. Then again, if I had to pick a team that could win by multiple goals Saturday, there’s no doubt my money would be on the home side.

Who’s Won the Derby Recently?

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

DONETSK, UKRAINE - NOVEMBER 02: Arsene Wenger of Arsenal faces the Media during a Press conference ahead of the UEFA Champions League Group H match against Shakhtar Donetsk at the Donbass Arena on November 2, 2010 in Donetsk, Ukraine. (Photo by Laurence

At Arsenal:

’09: Gunners 3-0 Spurs

’09: Gunners 4-4 Spurs

’08: Gunners 1-1 Spurs

At Tottenham:

’10: Spurs 1-4 Gunners

’10: Spurs 2-1 Gunners

’09: Spurs 0-0 Gunners

Nothing too crazy here except maybe Arsenal’s 4-1 win at the Lane earlier this year  (1-1 headed to overtime) in a cup match. Arsenal’s got a 1-2-0 advantage at Emirates and the teams are all square at White Hart Lane. Home-field advantage will obviously play a role, but there’s no reason to think Arsenal’s invincible on its home pitch.

Key Players

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LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 07: Samir Nasri of Arsenal is chased by Shola Ameobi of Newcastle during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium on November 7, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hew

Tottenham

Gareth Bale: He scored a brace in the last game, has been on an outrageous run of form that’s made him Spurs’ most valuable player (at least on the transfer market), and can generally dominate the left side from either defense or midfield. His form will be a major X-Factor.

Rafa van der Vaart: If Bale is Spurs’ most valuable player, van der Vaart was the player acquired for the best deal. How Tottenham snagged him for under 10 million is a mystery to me, but now Redknapp and co. are reaping the benefits.  He’ll need to force the tempo and make sure the forwards are getting the ball regularly.

Defoe: Will he play or won’t he? The streaky forward can be a goal magnet when on-form, but he’s been out for an extended period with an ankle injury. He could potentially return Saturday, and his ability to shake off the rust could make all the difference.

Arsenal

Samir Nasri: Best creative mid in the world? Maybe. But he’s certainly in world-class form and can give Tottenham’s injury depleted back line fits. Don’t be surprised to see Nasri account for a goal (or four) on Saturday. I’m not entirely confident he can be stopped.

Cesc Fabregas: He may not be playing his best football currently, but Arsenal’s captain is a vital part of Gunners’ game and has plenty of experience beating Spurs.

Prediction

Hamish Blair/Getty Images

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 13: (L - R) Gareth Bale, Peter Crouch and Roman Pavlyuchenko goal scorers for Tottenham celebrate after Crouch scored their third goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Blackburn Rovers at W

Taking it all into consideration, I think Arsenal has the edge. The question is, how much so? I doubt Spurs will be held goalless with all their solid attackers (expect one from Bale or Rafa), but will Arsenal put a couple past Gomes? Certainly possible, but I’m going to venture to guess a 1-1 draw. Call me insane for whatever reason in the comments.