Tottenham’s turmoil — manager sacked, dressing-room unrest and goalkeeper transfer links — makes Arsenal the smart derby pick; punters may favour Arsenal win or draw‑no‑bet and under 1.5 goals, while set-piece vulnerability increases markets for opponents to score. Expect short-term volatility in futures on Spurs’ goalkeeper departures and relegation odds.
Tottenham sack manager amid relegation fight
Tottenham Hotspur have sacked Thomas Frank after a damaging home defeat to Newcastle left the club with their 11th loss of the season. Spurs sit 16th in the table, just five points clear of the relegation zone, and face a North London Derby against Arsenal in 12 days with an interim manager expected to be appointed imminently.
Summer spending fails to bring stability
The club invested heavily over the summer, triggering purchase options on former loanees Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel for a combined £50m and spending in excess of £100m on Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons. Despite the outlay, Frank struggled to settle on a consistent starting XI in just over six months, and the squad has endured a dip in form and cohesion.
Injuries and captaincy controversy deepen problems
Injuries to key players such as Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison have hampered any recovery. Off-field issues have not helped: captain Cristian Romero’s recent social-media rant and a needless red card in the Manchester United game added to the unrest inside the dressing room.
Guglielmo Vicario linked with return to Italy
Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, 29, has been linked with a move back to Italy and is reportedly a target for both Juventus and Inter Milan. Sources say the player is keen on a return and “tired of the drama,” but Tottenham’s asking price could prove a sticking point given he still has around two years left on his contract. Vicario joined from Empoli in 2023, initially impressed under the previous coach, but has seen form regress over the last 18 months. At 6ft 3in he has been exposed on set pieces, a recurring weakness for Spurs, and is believed to be valued at roughly €30m.
Betting implications
The club’s instability makes Arsenal the logical short-term favourite for the upcoming derby; punters might back an Arsenal win or use draw‑no‑bet to reduce risk.
Spurs’ defensive issues and goalkeeper uncertainty increase appeal for under 1.5 goals or markets that favour opponents scoring from set-pieces.
Longer-term markets on relegation and goalkeeper transfer futures may see volatility while the club sorts out managerial and squad matters.
What happens next
Expect swift interim appointment and possible further squad changes in the coming months, with the goalkeeper position among the first linked to potential exits. Tottenham’s immediate priority will be to steady results before the derby and address the defensive frailties that have amplified their precarious league position.
Report: Spurs looking to summer after ‘modest winter window’ from a net-spend perspective
Tottenham have sacked Thomas Frank – and could now lose a major first-team asset, too
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