Supercomputer predicts Igor Tudor to match 71-year record in Tottenham vs Arsenal
Igor Tudor will be desperate for a win during his first game in charge as Tottenham host Arsenal on Sunday, but Opta’s supercomputer cannot see past an away win.
The Croatian head coach joined Spurs until the end of the season after Thomas Frank was sacked on 11 February.
The Dane’s poor spell in N17 has left Tottenham just five points clear of the relegation zone and in danger of dropping down to the Championship.
Although that may seem improbable, a loss to Arsenal would not only deepen that fear, but it would result in the worst possible start for Tudor.
The Lilywhites don’t have the best record against Mikel Arteta’s side, but if there is ever a time to beat their rivals, it is definitely now.
- Read more: Tottenham fans will love what Xavi Simons has done ahead of North London derby vs Arsenal
Arsenal predicted as heavy favourites to beat Tottenham
The Gunners are in a mini-crisis of their own after dropping two points to 20th-placed Wolves in dramatic circumstances on Wednesday.
Although they are five points clear at the top of the table, having played a game more than Manchester City, there is real concern among fans that they could come second in the league for the fourth successive season.
However, according to Opta, Arsenal are the overwhelming favourites.
- Arsenal have been given a 60.1 per cent chance of claiming all three points
- Spurs have a 19.3 per cent chance of securing a win under Tudor
- A draw has been given a 20.6 per cent probability of occurring
Spurs have lost their last three Premier League home games against Arsenal, which is as many as they had in their previous 23.
The Lilywhites last lost four in a row against them between 1952 and 1955, and it would be a disaster if Tudor were to match this 71-year record.
Arsenal have also won six of the last seven North London derbies in the top flight, including each of the last four meetings.
The Gunners last won five league games in a row against their fierce rivals between January 1987 and January 1989.
The last time Tottenham beat the Gunners was back in May 2022 under Antonio Conte, with a 3-0 win securing Champions League football for the N17 outfit at the expense of their rivals.
However, this game looks like it could go very differently, and Spurs are in desperate need of a victory to put some distance between themselves and the relegation zone.
- Read more: Igor Tudor has chance to strike as unsavoury Arsenal footage emerges before Tottenham showdown
Tottenham still searching for first Premier League win of 2026
Tottenham are winless in their last eight Premier League games. They last had a longer run within the same campaign between August and November 2007 (nine).
Spurs are also the only side without a Premier League win so far in 2026, drawing four and losing four of those matches. It’s their longest run without a win from the start of a calendar year since 1994 (first 10).
Tudor has a huge job on his hands, and if he were able to secure Tottenham’s first league win in the calendar year, then he would be revered all across N17.
However, all the stats point to Sunday’s contest being another win for Arteta’s side at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
For this and more, check out Football Insider for the latest updates and insight into what is going on at Tottenham.