Arsenal icon Ray Parlour makes north London derby score prediction

Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has made his north London derby prediction after it was confirmed both Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard will sit out the fixture.

The Gunners come into the game having taken a respectable seven points from nine so far this campaign - the only blemish being a 1-1 draw at home to Brighton last time out. Midfielder Declan Rice was controversially sent off for a second bookable offence at the Emirates, ruling him out for the meeting with their bitter rivals this weekend. 

An injury to Martin Odegaard while on international duty has dealt a further blow to the away side ahead of the match. 

Meanwhile, Spurs sit on four points following a disappointing 2-1 defeat away to Newcastle before the international break. Their only victory so far came at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when they beat Everton 4-0 on matchday two.

Arsenal have won five of the last seven Premier League meetings against their bitter rivals but will be missing two of their most important players ahead of Sunday's 2pm kick-off.

The impact of Rice and Odegaard absences

Mikel Arteta's woes were compounded when club captain Odegaard was pictured on crutches after injuring his ankle during Norway's Nations League win over Austria on Monday evening. The 25-year-old is expected to be ruled out of action for at least three weeks.

Arsenal may have won their last two matches at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but will now head to the venue without two of their three first-choice midfielders.

Nevertheless, Gunners legend Parlour, who was speaking exclusively to Odds Now in association with NetBet Online Casino, remains confident his former side can adapt and overcome the setbacks ahead of the weekend's meeting. 

Parlour said: "Arsenal can bring in Jorginho and move [Kai] Havertz to Odegaard’s position for the north London derby on Sunday. Both players will be a loss for Arsenal, there is no doubt.

"The midfield area is key for any match, but for this game it can be where the game is won and lost. Lucky for Arsenal they have experience with Jorginho and Havertz is a clever player, so can fit into the captain's role."

Parlour admits the losses of Rice and Odegaard are a blow. (Photo credit: Alamy Images) 

The three-time Premier League winner also believes any changes made could make Arsenal a more potent threat in attacking areas.

"It means [Gabriel] Jesus or [Raheem] Sterling may start as well, so gives Arsenal more fire power up front. Defensively, Arsenal are strong so this is a huge bonus. It’s important for Arsenal to settle well and play their game, but it won’t be as comfortable as it was in the first half last year at Spurs. Arsenal need to tactically play the game well." 

Tottenham could also be missing several key players in Dominic Solanke, Micky van de Ven, Yves Bissouma and Richarlison. Questions remain over all four's involvement this weekend.

Overall, the away side still head into the match firm favourites at 7/5, while Tottenham come in at a best price of 2/1 to pull off the upset. The draw sits at 11/4, though these two have only drawn once in their last nine Premier League meetings.

Saka and Havertz need to deliver in forward areas

The aforementioned Havertz and Bukayo Saka both scored in this fixture last season, where Arsenal ran out 3-2 away winners after racing into a 3-0 first-half lead. 

Parlour believes both will need to step-up to the plate once again if their side are to leave with three points again this weekend. 

"These two are the main weapons to score goals and they need to be on their best form to enable Arsenal to get goals. Arsenal are a threat from set pieces so this is another key area for Arsenal to score goals", he said.

"Jesus or Sterling may start, so they can be a threat at well. Trossard is another player who likes the big occasion, and he likes to score in big games. But, Saka especially will be a key player on Sunday."

England forward Saka already has three goals and assists against Spurs in nine matches. The 23-year-old comes in at a best price of 9/4 to find the net again this weekend.

Havertz only has a goal and assist against Spurs in the Premier League, but both of those came in the 3-2 win last season. The German sits at 13/5 to get his name on the scoresheet at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. 

Saka scores Arsenal's second in this fixture last season. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)

Goals always feature in the North london Derby

This fixture has seen both teams find the back of the net on 43 occasions, which is more than any other in the history of the Premier League. Eight of their last 11 meetings have seen both sides score, though the three exceptions did all occur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Parlour believes the emotional background of the fixture can level the playing field, regardless of the form of each side coming into the match. 

He said: "Form goes out the window in these games. Emotions run high and the game does open up."

"The fans get both teams up for it even more and goals can flow. Both teams like to play attacking football as well so this means the game can see more goals than usual.

"I’m excited for this one. Both teams have injuries, so the squad players will have a chance to shine. I am going for a 1-1 draw on Sunday."

Four of their last six Premier League meetings have seen at least four goals scored, while eight of the last 10 have seen three goals or more. In a fixture where there has been plenty of goalscoring action over the years, expect more of that this weekend.

Over 2.5+ goals comes in at an odds-on 4/7, while over 3.5+ sits at a best price of 7/5 with numerous sportsbooks.

Manchester United to bounce back against Southampton

Manchester United travel to struggling Southampton at midday on Saturday as the away side look to avoid losing three matches on the spin. 

Erik Ten Hag's side suffered a damning 3-0 home defeat to Liverpool before the international break and have just three points to their name after three games played. 

Much talk has centred around the Dutchman's future as manager at the club after several reports initially suggested he could be sacked in the summer, before United eventually confirmed he would continue to lead the team moving forward. 

United were outclassed in their 3-0 defeat to Liverpool at Old Trafford two weeks ago. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)

Parlour believes the Red Devils have to return to winning ways this weekend to decrease the mounting pressure on Ten Hag just four games into the new season. 

"I think it’s a must win for Man. United. Southampton have struggled so far, and I don’t see this changing all season. Man United must bounce back from the loss to Liverpool.

"Ten Hag has been given the backing of the owners, so he has to deliver, the team needs to deliver. I see them winning this one on Saturday."

Despite their poor form, United still come in strong favourites at a best price of 3/4 (general) ahead of the early kick-off.

Southampton are yet to pickup a single point since returning to the Premier League and currently sit at 15/4 (vBet) to secure what would be an almighty upset at St. Mary's, while the draw is available at a best price of 3/1 with various bookmakers.

'Liverpool can challenge for Premier League title'

United may have stumbled since the start of the new campaign but their arch rivals Liverpool have hit the ground running under new head coach Arne Slot. 

The Merseyside outfit have won all three of their matches without conceding a goal and prepare to host Nottingham Forest in their second home fixture of the new season on Saturday. 

Manchester City are the only side with a 100% winning record and Parlour believes Slot's men can challenge both the champions and Arsenal for top spot this term.

"Liverpool have started really well. The players seem to be in form and scoring plenty of goals, while being more solid at the other end. Their strikers are all scoring so this bodes well for them," he said.

"Van Dijk also looks re-energised, so this is massive for Liverpool. They can battle it out for the title for sure if they keep this form up. I see no pressure on the players, so this is a bonus as well with Slot coming in."

Parlour has been impressed by Slot's side so far this season. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)

Liverpool predictably head into the match with Forest overwhelming favourites at a best price of 2/9 (general). Forest haven't won in their last 25 visits to Anfield and aren't fancied to end that run as Nuno Espirito Santo's men sit at 12/1 with multiple sportsbooks prior to kick-off at 3pm.

Only four of those 25 have ended in a draw - which can be backed at a best price of 6/1 with vBet.

Whether the Reds are able to mount a serious title challenge in Slot's first season in charge remains to be seen. They remain third-favourites to win the Premier League at 9/2 with various bookmakers.