Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte holds a 'massive advantage' as he prepares his side for their blockbuster Premier League clash against Arsenal this evening.
The Lowdown: Season defining...
The Lilywhites face off against their bitter north London rivals tonight in what is, perhaps, the most crucial derby between both teams in recent memory.
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Spurs and the Gunners will be competing in the race for Champions League football and all riches which come with that, not least the major financial windfall through revenue for 2022/2023.
Qualifying for Europe's most coveted competition could also present either side with a bigger pull in the summer transfer market, a more crucial aspect for Spurs, as they look to appease Conte and back his reported overhaul.
The north Londoners will need every boost possible against Arsenal and Sky Sports pundit Paul Robinson says they have one 'massive advantage' ahead of the clash.
The Latest: Conte has 'massive advantage'...
Speaking to Football Insider, the ex-Spurs goalkeeper claims playing at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in front of supporters could give Conte's men a real boost.
However. he doesn't personally believe this game is 'season-defining' despite what could be at stake - claiming both teams' inconsistency could mean there are more twists to come.
He explained: “It’s a massive advantage being at home in a game of this magnitude.
“Is it a season-defining game? I’m not totally convinced that it is. If we were talking about Liverpool and Man City then we could presume that it is season-defining. But Spurs and Arsenal are so unpredictable you do not know what is coming.
"I was at the Arsenal game at the weekend and they struggled to beat a 10-man Leeds. It was not convincing by any stretch of the imagination. Spurs are exactly the same. They’re both too inconsistent.
“Listen, the north London derby is a huge game for both sides. But I wouldn’t put my house on both sides winning their two games after that.”
The Verdict: Correct call?
Arsenal could seal their place in Europe with victory over Spurs, while Conte's men quite simply need to win all of their remaining games to claim fourth spot - including the looming derby (talkSPORT).
Taking this into account, we're inclined to disagree with Robinson as this could certainly come as a season-defining encounter.
However, we do concur that the roar of Tottenham supporters at home will come as a big boost for the players who could certainly do with the 'twelfth man' for such a pivotal match.
In other news: Meeting held: Tottenham enter London talks with club chief as he offers out five players! Find out more here.