Antonio Conte will most likely make six changes to the Tottenham line-up from the team that started the game at the Emirates Stadium earlier this season. When Nuno Espirito Santo faced his first and only North London Derby, Spurs produced a lacklustre performance and lost the game 3-1.
Since then, the Lilywhites have come on leaps and bounds, not only with a change in manager but with improvements in performances and results. Their 1-1 draw against title contending Liverpool indicated the display they can produce with desire and fight.
The North London Derby was originally scheduled to take place in January but after a request from the Arsenal camp, the tie was rescheduled. Both sides had to wait a while for a new date but Thursday was decided on and a massive three points are up for grabs for both, in their battle for a spot inside the top four.
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In his pre-match press conference, Conte commented on the rescheduled derby and postponement situation earlier in the year. "To speak now about what happened in the past is not useful," he admitted. "For sure, it was very strange that our game was postponed for Covid and Arsenal didn't have one player with Covid. We lost a game 3-0 [to Rennes] because Premier League didn't want to move our game when we had nine or 10 players with Covid.
"At that time, it was unfair what happened. But now this is the past and we have to be focused on the present and try to get the best result," the Italian added.
After the clash, Spurs only have a few days of preparation before their lunchtime kick-off against Burnley on Sunday. When questioned about it in his press conference, Conte said it's sometimes "difficult to accept Premier League decisions" and it isn't the most ideal situation for Tottenham, especially as results indicate they do better when the Spurs boss has more preparation time.
Conte has been opting for the same starting XI since his arrival, where he can. This hasn't been easy, with constant injury problems. The 52-year-old explained that the same players who were available for Liverpool would be available for the North London Derby. This means the Lilywhites will be without Oliver Skipp, Japhet Tanganga, Matt Doherty and Sergio Reguilon.
There is likely to be six changes made at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, compared to the XI that started at the Emirates. Some of the players aren't currently in the capital and others come in after impressing since Conte's arrival and football.london takes a look at those rotations.
Defence
Spurs played a back four at the Emirates, which involved Japhet Tanganga, Sergio Reguilon, with Davinson Sanchez and Eric Dier in the centre. Out of those four, only the latter is likely to be involved on Thursday. Tanganga and Reguilon are both out injured and there is no reason why Conte won't stick to his usual back three - involving Dier, Ben Davies and Cristian Romero. The two wing-backs will operate down the flanks and it will be Ryan Sessegnon and Emerson Royal occupying those roles, with their competitors both injured.
At Anfield, the defence created a strong back line and dealt with the majority of what came their way, from a quality Liverpool front three. The back trio made a total of 29 clearances and blocked eight shots, which is exactly what will be needed against Mikel Arteta's side.
Midfield
The midfield three at the Emirates consisted of Pierre Emile Hojbjerg, Tanguy Ndombele and Dele Alli. The latter has since made the permanent move to Everton and with Ndombele still on loan at Lyon, neither are even an option for Conte.
Hojbjerg did make a couple of mistakes against Liverpool, most notably with a header that he should have scored with right at the death. Those apart, the Dane produced a solid performance and has been one player who has improved under Conte and adapted well to playing alongside different teammates in the middle.
Rodrigo Bentancur made the move to north London in January and has settled in very well, showing his quality in just a few months. The Uruguayan broke straight into the starting XI, which was helped by Skipp's absence, but has already begun to prove why he should be a key player in the Tottenham squad.
Bentancur has already made 14 Premier League appearances so far this season and registered an assist. The 24-year-old wasn't the strongest player on the pitch at Anfield but still made an impact, as he has been regularly doing since his arrival.
Attack
The front three against Arsenal on Thursday picks itself, with Dejan Kulusevski, Harry Kane and Son Heung-min all making a big impact in a number of recent games. The South Korean has made 32 league appearances this season and scored 20 goals, leaving him just two goals behind Mohamed Salah in the race for the Golden Boot.
Kane has had a couple of quieter games recently, but has still made an impact in the final third, making two key passes and having a shot against Liverpool. Kulusevski was the other January arrival for Tottenham and has made even more of an impact than Bentancur.
The Swedish international has made 15 league appearances, scoring three goals and registering eight assists. The 22-year-old has adapted quickly to the Premier League and is making it difficult to be replaced in the starting XI.
Therefore Lucas Moura is more than likely going to be side-lined for the derby, despite playing 90 minutes in the reverse fixture. The Brazilian has produced a mixture of performances this season but the consistency and impact of Kulusevski have pushed him out of the regular starting XI.
Assuming Conte goes with the same line-up as he did against Liverpool, he will be hoping for a similar defensive performance as his side produced at Anfield, with more attacking guile thrown in. Some of the Tottenham players just need to improve their decision-making and the home side need to make sure they take the chances they create for themselves, to give them every opportunity to secure a much-needed three points against Arsenal.
