The Dugout Discussion – Tottenham vs Arsenal

With Tottenham and Arsenal registering convincing wins last weekend, both sides take confidence into today’s crucial north London derby as the race for the top four intensifies.

For the hosts, Harry Kane has eight goals and three assists from his last eight League starts and, having delivered a 19-point haul against Chelsea on New Year’s Day, he has proven he can deliver against the toughest opponents. Christian Eriksen is also a man bang in form, having netted four goals in his last six outings in all competitions. Their twin threat will carry the hopes for the Spurs faithful, although Mauricio Pochettino’s side may find the going tough against an Arsenal defence that has kept clean sheets in their last three league encounters.

The Tottenham team news finds Pochettino make two changes as Eric Dier and Nabil Bentaleb earn recalls at the expense of Federico Fazio and Paulinho who drop to the bench.

As expected, Alexis Sanchez is missing from the Arsenal teamsheet as Arsene Wenger preserves his star asset in the light of his recent hamstring problems. The Gunners’ boss makes one change – handing Danny Welbeck an immediate recall following his recovery from a thigh injury – Theo Walcott drops to the bench.

In the absence of Sanchez and Walcott, Fantasy managers will be looking Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud to produce once again. Over 130,000 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers have drafted in Cazorla this week, with many making the straight swap from Sanchez. The Spaniard has scored twice and bagged three assists in the last two Gameweeks from the central “number 10” role, while five goals and an assist in his last six highlights Olivier Giroud’s recent form.