North London Derby: Arsenal vs. Tottenham

Two managers near the end, but in vastly different circumstances. Harry Redknapp has reached his pinnacle. He’s steering Tottenham to the Champions League and its best league finish since 1990. He not only will get the England job, but to be begged, by both the FA and the media, to accept it.

Arsene Wenger  has reached his nadir. His youth project has gone bankrupt. His squad is flawed. Only a magisterial season from Robin Van Persie and the emergence of a fine goalkeeper have averted a comprehensive meltdown. Either Arsene no longer knows or he knows he must mask a board concerned more with business models and self-congratulation than competition. Either way, it’s quite likely he will miss Champions League qualification for the first time since arriving in 1996.

Stakes: A derby is a derby. That said, Spurs aren’t quite close enough to sweat the title race. Their worst case is being seven points clear of Arsenal and Chelsea. For Arsenal, though, this match is crucial, if not tangibly than psychologically. They don’t “need” a result, but a bad loss at home to their arch-enemies could be crippling.

Form: Spurs have taken seven points from their previous three EPL matches, including a 5-0 stomping of Newcastle. Arsenal have won two straight in the league after taking one point from four matches, though they are coming off consecutive losses, 4-0 to AC Milan in the Champions League and 2-0 to Sunderland in the FA Cup. The Gunners have not convinced against 11 men in 2012 and have failed to defeat Tottenham in their last four meetings.

Prediction: Arsenal have neither the mental fortitude nor the skill to stop Tottenham. They are at home, though that makes them a mistake away from the atmosphere turning foul. Expect that, kicked water bottles and a puffy coat retreat. Spurs 3-1 Arsenal.

[Photo via Getty]