Alan Shearer and Harry Redknapp disagree about Tottenham as Arsenal warned about disaster

The North London Derby will have a huge impact on both the Premier League title race and relegation battle this season, with Arsenal and Tottenham both in need of points

Alan Shearer and Harry Redknapp disagree with their predictions for this Sunday’s North London Derby, as both Arsenal and Tottenham eye a crucial win for their Premier League campaigns.

Spurs play host in their first match under interim head coach Igor Tudor, following the sacking of Thomas Frank earlier this month. The home fans will be hoping that the time between games and the change of management will help turn their fortunes around, with relegation from the Premier League a real possibility.

It will be a tough task, with Arsenal sitting top of the table, but they have faced their own struggles in recent weeks, which adds some extra jeopardy to the game. Mikel Arteta’s side threw away a two-goal lead against Wolves in dramatic fashion in midweek, leaving the door ajar for Manchester City in the title race.

That all contributes to a North London Derby where bragging rights are front and centre, along with Premier League ambitions for both. For Harry Redknapp, there is a distinct possibility that Tottenham could cause an upset and land an important point in their survival battle.

The former Spurs boss said with his prediction: “The big one, and a very hard game to predict it. Let’s be honest, who knows what to expect from Spurs.

JOIN US ON FB! Get the latest football news from Football London’s Facebook page

“I like Thomas Frank, but the performances of late have been really poor and they probably needed a change. Tudor’s come in and he’s got a decent reputation in Italy, but how will he get on at Spurs? Only time will tell. Talk about an early test for him, though!

“As for Arsenal, who knows what to expect? I cannot believe they blew that game against Wolves, that’s just so unlike them and boy, has that put pressure on this game. Are those Arsenal lads beginning to feel the pressure?”

“That Spurs crowd should lift the players and make this a closer game that some might expect. I can see a nervy, entertaining draw,” he added, predicting a 2-2 draw between the two teams.

Shearer disagrees, believing it’ll be a win for Arsenal, but claiming that anything other than all three points will be a disaster for Arteta’s side. He said: “Arsenal have to win the game.

“I mean, it’s pretty simple. It would be a disaster if they didn’t, and they’re not in great form, losing a 2-0 lead in the way they did against Wolves, they go into it under huge pressure. It might even be more if City beat Newcastle on Saturday night.

“But Spurs give me no confidence, even with the new manager bounce, that they would hope that they’re going to get, so I’m going to say an Arsenal away win.”

As it stands, Opta Analyst still give Arsenal a 79.54% chance of winning the Premier League, regardless of their recent struggles in form. Tottenham, comparatively, are given just a 3.81% chance of relegation, with a lot needed to turn things around to put them in the bottom three.

It remains to be seen what the outcome of the North London Derby will be and how that will impact both ends of the table. But it sets up an interesting tie nonetheless.

Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings