Tottenham vs Arsenal: prediction, head-to-head and probable lineups – 22 February 2026
One of the marquee fixtures of Premier League Matchday 27 will unfold this Sunday at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, where Tottenham hosts Arsenal in the fierce North London Derby. Let’s break down the betting prospects based on each team’s current form.
Match preview
This derby marks the dawn of a new era for Tottenham – Igor Tudor makes his official debut at the helm. Thomas Frank departed after a string of Premier League setbacks: since January, Spurs have managed just four points from eight matches, with the 1-2 defeat to Newcastle proving the final straw. Now, the team is hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone – 16th in the table, only five points above the drop.
Yet Tudor’s start is hampered by an injury crisis of epic proportions. More than ten players remain sidelined, with Wilson Odobert now out long-term with an ACL tear, and captain Cristian Romero suspended. According to Tudor, only 13 senior players are available for training, meaning the rest of the squad will have to be filled out by youngsters. To make matters worse, Spurs have struggled even more at home than away – just ten points collected at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and only two home wins all season.
Arsenal have their own issues, but their league position is far more stable. Mikel Arteta’s side have drawn their last two fixtures – 1-1 with Brentford and 2-2 against Wolves, the latter after squandering a two-goal lead. Over the last seven matches, the Gunners have taken just ten points, and their gap to Manchester City has shrunk to five points, with City having a game in hand.
Still, the derby could be the perfect stage for Arsenal to rediscover their swagger. In recent years, Tottenham have become something of a favoured opponent: Arsenal have won six of the last seven meetings, including three straight away at Spurs. The possible returns of Kai Havertz and Martin Ødegaard will boost their attacking options, while Leandro Trossard, who avoided a serious injury, is also ready to play.
Probable lineups
- Tottenham: Vicario, Spence, van de Ven, Dragusin, Gray, Sarr, Bissouma, Gallagher, Tel, Solanke, Simons
- Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapié, Zubimendi, Rice, Madueke, Saka, Trossard, Gyökeres
Match facts and head-to-head
- Tottenham haven’t won in the Premier League since the start of January, picking up just four points in eight matches.
- Arsenal have won six of their last seven North London derbies against Tottenham.
- Both teams have scored in four of the last five head-to-head clashes.
Prediction
The new manager bounce could inject some passion into Tottenham, but the squad’s injury woes are simply too severe to expect a real breakthrough. Arsenal are fully motivated in the title race and have dominated this fixture in recent seasons. Expect a hard-fought derby where the hosts keep things interesting, but the visitors’ quality proves decisive in the end.
