Tottenham vs Arsenal Prediction and How to Watch: North London Derby Arrives With Stakes and Uncertainty
Derby drama under Tudor and Arteta
Tottenham vs Arsenal has never required extra storylines, but this north London derby arrives wrapped in intrigue. Ahead of Sunday’s match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Spurs step into the contest under new interim manager Igor Tudor, while Arsenal chase points to steady a title challenge wobbling under pressure.
Tudor, appointed in February 2026 to replace Thomas Frank, takes charge of his first derby knowing Spurs’ squad is thin and bruised. Wilson Odobert’s ACL injury adds to a long absentee list, while Cristian Romero serves a suspension and Richarlison and Pedro Porro remain out. It is a fragile beginning for a manager still unpacking his notes.
Arsenal, guided by Mikel Arteta, have their own anxieties. A stumble at Wolves allowed Manchester City to close the gap at the summit. Yet there are small mercies. Bukayo Saka is expected to be fit, Leandro Trossard has recovered, and Martin Odegaard may return. Arteta knows this derby is not just about geography. It is about momentum.
History leans red. Arsenal are unbeaten against Spurs since May 2022 and have won three straight at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The derby’s volatility rarely obeys statistics, but trends whisper.
Photo: IMAGO
Injury news shaping Tottenham vs Arsenal prediction
This Tottenham vs Arsenal prediction is framed as much by absences as ambition. Spurs’ injuries strip the side of creativity and balance, forcing Tudor into quick decisions. A back three is expected, not from ideology but necessity.
Arsenal’s concerns are lighter, though Mikel Merino is ruled out for the season and fitness doubts hover over key names. Still, Arteta’s side arrive with greater cohesion and fewer unknowns.
According to the Evening Standard’s match preview, “Usually the form book goes out of the window for a derby fixture… all roads point to an Arsenal win,” before conceding Arsenal’s patchy league form has complicated matters. Their final verdict was simple: “Draw, 1-1.”
It is a fair conclusion. Spurs may be galvanised by new leadership and a loud home crowd, yet Arsenal possess more structure. Expect a tense, cautious contest where moments, not dominance, decide the narrative.
How to watch Tottenham vs Arsenal live in UK
For supporters wondering how to watch Tottenham vs Arsenal, the details are straightforward. Kick-off is scheduled for 4.30pm GMT on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports in the UK, with coverage beginning at 4pm on Sky Sports Premier League and shortly after on Sky Sports Main Event. Subscribers can stream via Sky Go, while radio commentary and live blogs offer alternatives for fans on the move.
Need a VPN to watch the match? Our preferred VPN to watch UK TV from anywhere is LibertyShield.com – they offer a 48 hour no-obligation free trial and have apps or all popular devices including Mac, Windows, FireTV, iPhone/iPad and Android.
Stakes beyond bragging rights
Derbies are about pride, yet context matters. Arsenal chase Manchester City in a title race where every slip echoes loudly. Spurs seek stability after upheaval, hoping Tudor can bring clarity to a side that has struggled at home.
This is football in its oldest form: neighbours, noise, nerves. Tottenham have 67 wins in this fixture’s history, Arsenal 90, with 55 draws. Records are kept, but rarely respected on derby day.
Arteta will preach calm, Tudor courage. Somewhere between those instructions lies the truth of Tottenham vs Arsenal prediction. Expect tension, flashes of quality, and perhaps, as the Evening Standard suggested, a 1-1 stalemate that satisfies nobody and keeps the season’s drama alive.
For neutral viewers, it is irresistible. For north London, it is everything.