Over the last few weeks I've been picking out the biggest derby fixtures from around the Premier League and elsewhere for my soccerondish articles.  This weekend two of London's biggest clubs, and indeed historically London's biggest clubs before Roman Abramovic started the Chelsea revolution, meet in what is always massive fixture. Needless to say, in footballing terms Spurs fans and Arsenal fans aren't the best of friends and local bragging rights are important to both.  Over the last few years (well a lot longer in all fairness) Arsenal have been the stronger team by quite a way but there is a feeling around White Hart Lane that all that could change this season.

Since the arrival of Harry Redknapp at Spurs they've improved dramatically and look real contenders for Champions League qualification this season.  They disappointed last weekend with a 1-0 loss on home soil to Stoke, but in reality Spurs enjoyed the majority of the chances in that game and on any other day they would have comfortably beaten the Potters.  Arsenal let a two goal lead slip against strugglers West Ham and boss Arsene Wenger will be eager to see his side get back to winning ways.

In the corresponding fixture last season the two north London rivals played out an enthralling 4-4 draw.  The pick of the eight goals in that fixture was without a doubt Spurs' midfielder David Bentley's smasher from range (and when I say range, he was barely in the opposition’s half!).  That goal has proved to be the highlight of Bentley's Tottenham career so far and he has languished in the shadows a bit since Aaron Lennon made the right-wing his own.  Bentley is a product of Arsenal's youth academy but left as a youngster to join Blackburn Rovers before making a big money switch to Spurs.  Lennon has picked up an ankle injury and will play no part against the Gunners, with Redknapp all but confirming Bentley will start on the right.

This is what the Spurs boss had to say:  "There's no doubt Bentley has balls - plenty of 'em - and his performance during our 2-0 Carling Cup win on Tuesday night (against Everton) was worth its weight in gold.

"What Tottenham need now is more of the same from Bentley and I can't think of a better place for him to do it than at one of his former clubs.

"It's not been easy for David of late. There was his well-publicised brush with the law on a motoring offence and, by his own admission, he's not been pushing Aaron Lennon hard enough for the right-wing position - until Tuesday night that is.

"A lot of people also have completely the wrong idea of what he is like to deal with. I can tell you he is a decent lad.

"Sure he's a good-looking young man and has talent in shedloads but he is not the flash Herbert some try to make him out to be.

"Not so long ago, he was being tipped as David Beckham's successor on the right wing for England but now young Lennon is in possession of that place.

"What my team will need at the Emirates is Bentley supplying plenty of those quality crosses to put the Arsenal defence under pressure."

So can Bentley shine against his former employers? We'll find out on Saturday and it will be a massive test for the visiting Spurs team to take all three points at the Emirates.  Arsenal's style of play is perhaps the most attractive in the world, with the possible exception of Barcelona, and they have look devastating at times this season.

In all honesty I doubt we'll see another eight goal thriller between these two high-flying sides but I'm still expecting plenty of goals and a hard-fought occasion. Both sides have excellent attacking talent within their ranks but defences hat perhaps are quite easily breached on occasion so we should see a few goals.  On paper this is the pick of the fixtures this weekend and it should be a game well worth tuning in for.

Written by Gareth Freeman, a sports writer promoting Irish racing betting picks, tips and advice for Betfair.

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Over recent years the Arsenal youth academy has introduced some fantastic players into English football.  On Tuesday night Arsene Wenger's side take on Championship high-flyers West Brom in the Carling Cup in a game where we may see the next crop of Arsenal youngsters make an appearance.

Wenger likes to use the Carling Cup to test his fringe and youth players and this season should be no different, even if they are under pressure to end their trophy drought.  One youngster who looks set to have a big future at Arsenal and indeed in football is ack Wilshere.  The 17-year-old caused a stir in the Emirates Cup over the summer with two stunning goals which led some to suggest he could force his way into Fabio Capello's plans for the World Cup in South Africa.  Wenger is a manager who likes to protect his younger players from the spotlight and as yet Wilshere has had very little action this season.  However, it seems highly likely the midfielder will start against the Baggies tomorrow as the Arsenal boss rests his first-choice players and he could well be one to watch over the course of the season.

The opposition must not be ignored of course.  West Brom won many an admirer with their passing football in the Premier League last season and they'll be up for the challenge.  Manager Roberto Di Matteo likes his side to play an open attacking brand of football and he won't change this just because they're at the Emirates.  The Baggies will consider the league and promotion their top priority and will go into this game eager to prove themselves without the real pressure of being expected to progress.  This tie should be a great one between two attacking sides who like to keep the ball on the floor and it should be a fantastic encounter.

The Arsenal V West Brom game is not the only encounter worth keeping an eye on tommorow night.  Fallen giants Leeds United welcome Liverpool to Elland Road in a game that should be highly charged.  The long suffering Leeds fans continue to turn up in numbers despite the fact the club are currently in League One and the visit of Liverpool to Yorkshire should draw a bumper crowd.   The Leeds fans are known for their passion to the game and will be in full voice with Liverpool in town.

I doubt Rafael Benitez will field his strongest team in these early stages of the Carling Cup but that should not detract from what is a massive game between two huge clubs, albeit clubs in very different situations at the moment.  Leeds have been in fine form in the league and sit proudly at the top of the division, having won seven and drawn one of their opening eight fixtures.  There will be no pressure to progress on the home side and they will play to enjoy the occasion.

Leeds have scored an impressive 16 goals so far this season and their defence has only been breached four times.  I doubt they'll beat Liverpool in all honesty but it wouldn't surprise me a great deal if they forced the replay.  In players like Jermaine Beckford, Lucciano Becchio and Mike Grella they have players with enough quality to cause Premier League sides problems and I'm sure all three will be fired up for a tie with Liverpool.

The Carling Cup may not be the most prestigious of competitions but it still throws up some great games and I'm hoping we see some decent encounters tomorrow night.  The smart money would go on Liverpool and Arsenal but I'm sure West Brom and Leeds will prove worthy opposition for the Premier League sides when the games kick off on Tuesday.

Written by Gareth Freeman, a sports writer who works for Betfair, where you can find Rugby betting advice and horse racing betting advice.

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The pick of this weekend's Premier League action is without a doubt Manchester City's home tie with Arsenal.  Both teams have something to prove, City may have a 100% start but they're yet to come up against a side who will also be competing for honours and the match against Arsenal represents a great chance for them to establish their own top-four credentials.  After a disappointing campaign by their own standards last season Arsene Wenger's Arsenal need to re-establish their own place in England's 'top four'.  Aston Villa gave the Gunners a scare last season but they managed to finish fourth in the league, for a team used to winning silverware this is just not up to their standards.  Arsenal hammered Everton 6-1 on opening day but a loss to Manchester United has taken the gloss of their fine start and they need to get back to winning ways.  For both teams this game is a chance to prove themselves and with some of the Premier League's most exciting talent on display it should prove to be a great spectacle.

A lot of the talk surrounding City over the summer was based around the fact that if they were to break into the top-four this season, whose place would they take?  The Premier League betting odds had Arsenal down as the most likely candidates to lose out to City and now the two teams meet on Saturday we should be able to get an indication of which team is the more likely to qualify for next season's Champions League.

To dd some extra spice to an already fiery encounter Manchester City bought not one but two of Arsenal's most experienced players over the summer.  Defender Kolo Toure made a £16million switch to Eastlands after seven years with Arsenal and City boss Mark Hughes will almost certainly start with Toure in the heart of his defence.  Last season City's key problems were undoubtedly in their defence but this season, after three games, they are yet to concede a goal and I'm sure Toure's presence in that defence is no coincidence to the improved performances.  Another man who made the move from the Emirates to Eastlands is striker Emmanuel Adebayor who Hughes splashed out £25million on.  Adebayor has something to prove personally after a dissapointing season last time out and scoring against his former employers would be a massive boost for the African frontman.

The stage is set for a great encounter.  Both teams are under immense pressure to do well this season and many pundits around the game believe the fight for fourth spot will be between Arsenal and City.  After spending such a vast amount of money over the summer Hughes needs to get results and have his side competing at the top.  For Arsenal they need to re-establish themselves amongst the Premier League's elite as a side capable of lifting the title at the end of the campaign and victory over City would go a long way to proving that.

If you're thinking of betting on the fixture it may be worth checking out the team news for each side. Arsenal are without Samir Nasri, Carlos Vela and Johan Djourou for this one but Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott are expected to be back in time to face City.  Whisper it quietly, but Tomas Rosicky may even be fit to take a place on the bench against the league's big spenders.  I'm not holding my breath to be honest, he has suffered set backs before but it would be great to see the Czech wizard back in action.

City are missing Benjani and Michael Johnson through long term injuries with Roque Santa Cruz also set to miss the match. However, Vincent Kompany may feature against the Gunners as City look to establish themselves as real title contenders.

This fixture is possibly the biggest fxture so far of the Premier League season and well worth tuning in for.  For the City and Arsenal fans out there I imagine a few are getting a bit nervous about this one, for the neutral like me it should be an excellent spectacle.

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