This season has not gone to plan for Arsenal and Tottenham, and both teams will approach tonight's north London derby with trepidation. Arsenal's move to the Emirates Stadium has not gone smoothly - they have been held to a draw four times in seven Premiership matches, on each occasion after conceding the first goal. Coupled with their up-and-down away form, Arsenal's home troubles have left them in sixth place, 16 points off the pace set by Manchester United.
Tottenham, meanwhile, arrive at the Emirates Stadium in 11th place, without a win in seven away games in the Premiership. Spurs drew 1-1 at Highbury towards the end of last season - ending a run of six straight home derby wins for Arsenal - but their away form this season suggests a return to the status quo is likely.
Arsenal don't rate a great bet in their current home form, however, and it may be safer to side with under 2.5 goals at similar odds. Better-value home bets in the Premiership are Everton and Sheffield United, though neither team rates in the banker category.
It's a tricky weekend in the Premiership, with Portsmouth v Villa and Reading v Bolton particularly tough to call.
Liverpool's poor away form makes them unappealing for the trip to Wigan, though the home side are not good against sides above them in the table (two home wins out of nine last season, and two wins out of four this season). Manchester United should avenge last season's 4-1 defeat at Middlesbrough but are short enough, and the only away team that appeal at good odds are Fulham. Chris Coleman's side have improved their away results (their only defeats in seven trips have come at the two Manchester clubs) and they are capable of getting something at Blackburn.
Most top-rated bets this weekend lie in the Bundesliga, with Arminia Bielefeld making particular appeal at home to Bayer Leverkusen. Bielefeld have been one of the surprise teams in Germany, and their rise to sixth place has been founded mainly on a strong home record. They have beaten Leverkusen 1-0 in both home meetings since returning to the Bundesliga and look overpriced to make it a hat-trick. Hamburg are given another chance to kick-start their season by winning their bottom-of-the-table clash at Bochum. The home side have the worst defence in the Bundesliga and look vulnerable.
