Arsenal v Tottenham: Back Ade to notch in North London derby

Arsenal’s apparent incapability to defend makes backing them as odds-on favourites in the North London derby a fool’s errand.

The Gunners are priced at 19/20 to overcome their arch-rivals while Andre Villas Boas’ men can be had at an enticing 13/5, with the draw good value at the same price.

Removing the hosts from the reckoning via the Arsenal no bet market renders both possible outcomes for the match as 5/6 shots. This represents exceptional value for money given the fact that Arsene Wenger’s men have failed to win all but one of their last seven games in 90 minutes.

Three of their last four have ended all-square and, given that this is the most drawn contest in Premier League history with 17 renewals ending in stalemate, this could see punters lean towards the tie in this one.

However, only once in the last seven meetings have these bitter enemies shared the spoils and with both teams sure to be going all-out for the points at the Emirates it would be a wise move to swerve this eventuality occurring for the 18th time.

After terrorising the Man City back line for most of the game last time out, Emmanuel Adebayor is likely to be handed a start against his former employers and AVB will be looking to the Togolese star to continue his great record in this fixture.

In 11 appearances on either side of the divide, he’s bagged nine goals, including once from the spot in Spurs’ 5-2 defeat in this fixture last term. This makes the 8/1 that says he opens the scoring here very much worth a bet; he’s also generously priced at 5/2 to find the net at any time.

In four of the last five Premier League tussles between the pair a defender has managed to get on the scoresheet and three of these were full backs.

Thomas Vermaelen has occupied the left back berth in the absence of Kieran Gibbs/incompetence of Andre Santos and, should Wenger elect against switching to three centre backs in this one as has been reported, he will continue in there against Spurs.

The Arsenal captain has proved in the past that he knows where the net is and, at 8/1, the Belgian boasts the biggest chance of continuing the trend of full backs being in the goals when these sides meet.

All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date