Arsenal travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for Sunday's crucial North London Derby and we used EA FC 26 to simulate the Premier League clash with Igor Tudor's new-look Spurs
This weekend's North London Derby carries massive implications for both ends of the table. Home side Tottenham are battling at the wrong end of the league, sitting five points above the relegation zone and have just undergone a significant managerial shake-up.
Caretaker boss Igor Tudor has been thrust straight in at the deep end for his maiden match in charge following Thomas Frank's departure last week, facing the league leaders with a threadbare squad at his disposal. Arsenal, by contrast, sit top of the pile but are under the microscope after squandering leads against Brentford and basement boys Wolves to draw both fixtures.
The Gunners hold a five-point advantage over second-placed Manchester City, though they've played an additional match compared to their championship contenders. Meanwhile, Spurs haven't registered a single Premier League victory in 2026 and are enduring a dismal spell of domestic form, collecting just four points from their last eight outings.
Following a 4-1 hammering at the Emirates Stadium earlier this campaign, a triumph over their bitterest enemies could be precisely the tonic Arsenal need. The North London Derby seldom disappoints, so what might unfold?
We simulated Tottenham vs Arsenal to get a score prediction
To forecast how the North London Derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium could unfold, we turned to EA FC 26 to run a simulation of the match. With all the injuries, suspensions and current form factored in, we were hoping for a credible outcome.
With a staggering 12 players unavailable for Spurs, Tudor's choices are severely limited. He might fancy deploying his favoured system of three central defenders, but only Micky van de Ven and Radu Dragusin are fit and natural centre backs on hand, with skipper Cristian Romero still serving his suspension.
That said, Joao Palhinha has filled in at the back for Frank before, and we reckon it'll be the case once more in Tudor's maiden match. Consequently, we've predicted a 3-4-1-2 formation to help smooth Spurs' transition.
Our Tottenham starting XI is: Vicario; Dragusin, Palhinha, van de Ven; Gray, Sarr, Gallagher, Spence; Xavi; Solanke, Kolo Muani.
As for the visiting side, Arsenal are set to be without Leandro Trossard following his head knock at Wolves during the midweek fixture. Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard are also uncertain but might feature, with Kai Havertz's involvement also uncertain.
Meanwhile, Mikel Merino and Max Dowman are still sidelined. So, the starting Arsenal XI we've plumped for is, in a 4-3-3: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli.
Tudor's nightmare beginning at Spurs materialised early on. Victor Gyokeres handed the Gunners a 1-0 advantage after merely 15 minutes, having drifted into the home penalty area completely unchallenged before sweeping the ball into the top right corner.
Arsenal's grip on proceedings proved impossible for Spurs to break, which came as little surprise. Slick, rapid passing allowed the visitors to command the midfield and advance swiftly towards goal.
Arsenal extended their advantage before the half-hour mark. Gyokeres once more punished the home side's drowsy defending from an identical position to his opening strike and with 29 minutes gone, Arsenal's title challenge appeared firmly back on course.
Tudor's tactical gamble of persisting with his favoured three-man defence may have played a part, with makeshift centre-half Palhinha leaving Gyokeres completely exposed on two occasions. Regardless of the reason, Arsenal found creating chances far too straightforward.
The second period began no better for Spurs, who surrendered possession straight from kick-off, conceding an Arsenal throw-in. However, a composed build-up on 52 minutes saw Xavi Simons register the hosts' opening effort with a shot that flashed just wide.
The same player eventually hauled Spurs back into contention with their subsequent attack. Xavi capped another sequence of rapid-fire passes inside the Arsenal penalty area by firing home on the turn, reducing the deficit to 2-1 on 69 minutes.
The goal lifted Tottenham supporters as the home side visibly gained momentum. A notable upturn in form saw Spurs scrapping tenaciously against their rivals rather than being overrun as they had been during the opening period.
Gyokeres squandered a golden opportunity to put the match beyond doubt in the closing stages, spurning the chance to claim a derby day treble. However, the Arsenal supporters needn't have fretted as they clung on for a 2-1 triumph.
Whilst the simulation provides encouragement for Arsenal's championship ambitions, it represents a sobering message for Tudor. A 2-1 loss in the digital realm exposes the glaring frailties at Spurs as the injury problems truly start to bite.
For the Gunners, this outcome would prove the ideal remedy to their recent stumbles against Brentford and Wolves. Should the real-life Saka and Odegaard mirror their combination play witnessed in our simulation, the five-point advantage at the summit may remain secure despite City's match in hand.
Past experience tells us that the North London Derby very frequently throws up surprises. However, if EA FC 26 proves accurate, that won't be the case as Arsenal deal more woe upon their relegation-threatened neighbours.