Two excellent matches take place this Saturday. The north London derby headlines the week-end.
Arsenal – Tottenham Hotspur
Passions and maximum adrenaline on and off the pitch as the bitter hatred between the two north London clubs, who will meet for the 162nd time in history, flows freely from the fans to the players. Arsenal have not lost to Tottenham in the last 19 Premier League clashes. Spurs’ last victory over their North London rivals came in November 1999, the last away win at Arsenal was in May 1993. During Arsenal’s ten year unbeaten run, Spurs have gone through countless managers, false starts and painful derby defeats. But Tottenham are unbeaten in their last four matches against Arsenal (two league, two cup) and who can forget last season’s epic 4-4 draw. We can only hope for the same, as both teams bring in optimism and confidence into what should be an electrifying atmosphere.
Juventus – Napoli
Once upon a time this was a sensational encounter, when Maradona, Careca and current Juve coach Ciro Ferrara would roll into Torino to take on Platini & Co. Not the same potency, but the same north – south sentiments. Juve is coming off what might be their most stupendous win of the past few years, a 5-1 mid-week demolition of an excellent Sampdoria side, and will be looking to carry that good vibe into the week-end. Napoli is an exciting team to watch and can play with anyone on any given day. Coming off the semi-miracle against Milan in mid-week, when down 2-0 in the 90th minute Napoli deservedly rescued a point, the team from Calabria will be ready to play under the command of new boss Walter Mazzani, an excellent appointment.