I’m really looking forward to presenting Super Sunday from White Hart Lane this weekend. The Manchester derby may be the most high-profile now but over the years the North London derby has provided the best entertainment – from the bizarre 4-5 in 2004 to the thrilling 3-3 draw at White Hart Lane at the end of last season, which still ranks as the most entertaining game I have presented on Sky Sports.
Tottenham used to have a terrible record in this fixture but have turned it around of late and are now unbeaten in the last three PL meetings (won two) and have lost just one of the last six. Arsenal still have major problems to solve, particularly at the back and seem to be trading at 3.6 on Betdaq because of the way that they should be playing rather than the way that they actually are. This after all is a side that has conceded 12 goals in their last two away games.
In contrast, Tottenham are flying after three straight wins and look a big price at 2.26. They landed last bet last weekend at 1.90 against Wigan and I’m going to go with Spurs again this week. Ray Wilkins said on Super Sunday that Tottenham’s first 20 minutes against Liverpool was the best football he has seen from any team in the Premier League this season. A repeat will be very hard for Arsenal to deal with. Alan Smith and Glenn Hoddle will be my guests at White Hart Lane from 1.30pm on Sunday on Sky Sports HD1. Let’s hope for yet another thrilling North London derby. CLICK HERE FOR BETDAQ SPECIAL OFFER ON THIS MATCH.
Arc weekend at Longchamp. One of my favourite meetings of the year and Sunday’s racing is one that this country has always wanted to replicate. Newmarket’s Champions Day never even got close and it will be fascinating to see how Ascot get on on October 15th.
The big race itself, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, looks wide open this year and the winner will need plenty of luck in running. I backed Sarafina in this column last year and she had none of that luck. She’s had a perfect preparation this year and can improve on her third place last season. Granted some luck, Sarafina’s impressive turn of pace can prove decisive in the straight.
The World Cup is bubbly away nicely with the real fizz starting next week in the knockout stage. The All Blacks were awesome against France and are even shorter now at 1.57 on the Daq but it’s going to be a different ball game in the pressure-cooker of knockout rugby. I’d still rather being layer at 1.59 than a player.
One match stands out this weekend: England (1.19) against Scotland (7), with the latter needing to win by at least eight points to qualify from the group. That’s a tough ask but I’m sure they are capable of giving this inconsistent England side a fright.
