Spurs’ tactical tweaks to ensure the goals will flow at the Emirates

Arsenal and Tottenham’s all-north London affair is without doubt the pick of the FA Cup third round bunch and, with Spurs reverting to tactics of old under new boss Tim Sherwood, fireworks are on the agenda.

The Gunners, who have been consistent at home this term, winning seven from 10 domestic encounters Emirates-side, are priced up as 1/1 favourites for the clash, with the draw a beefy 5/2 for those eyeing up the comfiest spots on the fence. Spurs’ odds of 3/1 – in from 11/4 – for success, though, is the best value bet on the match betting table.

The Lilywhites make the short trip across the northern quadrant of the capital having won 13 from their previous 16 road games. It’s fair to point out the worthlessness of three coming against Europa League cannon fodder, but their latest, and most spectacular away win, 2-1 over Manchester United at Old Trafford, suggests they are in good enough touch to usurp the odds here.

Since losing to West Ham in Sherwood’s first match in charge, Spurs have enjoyed an upturn in fortunes on the pitch, winning three and drawing one of the four games that followed.

Two of these games were staged beyond the confines of White Hart Lane and both of which were won. Couple these with the final two away matches of Andre Villas-Boas’ tenure and the side have racked up four straight wins on their travels, with each of these games yielding more than 2.5 goals.

Their dust ups with the Gunners are famously goal-filled affairs with the 2008/09 goalless draw the last time the pair failed to satisfy the criteria for an over 2.5 goals bet to cop prior to this season.

That’s nine games in total, with five of these producing at least five goals.

This comes in addition to the fact that in five of the previous six renewals at the Emirates, the 2.5-goal barrier has been comprehensively shattered, with this season’s fixture providing the break in the trend.
Of these five games only one failed to produce at least five goals and with Spurs reverting to a style of play similar to the one adopted during these frenzied encounters, expect more of the same.

Tottenham to win in combination with over 2.5 goals scored looks a sound bet at 17/4.

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

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