Spurs have shown their class at home in recent weeks, but now need to win away at a top-six club

Tottenham Hotspur make the short trip to local rivals Arsenal this weekend looking to keep in touching distance of Premier League leaders Manchester City.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side take on the Gunners at the Emirates in the lunchtime kick-off (12.30pm) on Saturday.

Spurs go into the contest in good form after edging out Crystal Palace 1-0 on November 5, which occurred just days after a 3-1 win at home to Real Madrid.

During the same period, Arsenal were held to a goalless draw at the Emirates by Red Star Belgrade and also lost 3-1 on the road at Man City.

The big talking point going into this north London derby is what players will return from injury to start for Spurs.

Pochettino was without Harry Kane (knee), Hugo Lloris (hip), Dele Alli (hamstring), Toby Alderweireld (hamstring), Victor Wanyama (knee), Erik Lamela (hip) and Michel Vorm (knee) for the clash with Palace.

Harry Winks also came off with an ankle problem, but he should be fit to feature against Arsenal and Kane is expected to return.

Spurs will hope Lloris and Alli are able to start at the Emirates too, but Alderweireld, Wanyama, Lamela and Vorm may miss out.

Tottenham will travel to their local foes with confidence after some encouraging recent results against Arsenal and especially at the home of their arch rivals.

The last three encounters at the Emirates have finished as 1-1 draws and Spurs haven’t lost a league match with the Gunners since March 16 2014 – a run of six fixtures.

And if Tottenham harbour any ambitions of catching City, they need to improve their record away at top-six clubs and Arsenal come under that category.

Spurs lost 1-0 at Old Trafford last month with Kane absent, but they’ll hope the return of their talisman can inspire a derby

win.

After facing Arsenal, the focus switches back to Europe with an away trip to Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday (November 21).

Tottenham may have already qualified for the last-16, but top spot has not been assured with Madrid three points behind them.

But due to a better head-to-head record with Real, Spurs can afford to rest players in Germany with APOEL visiting next month.

With this in mind, Pochettino can potentially risk using all of his big guns on Saturday and he’ll hope it results in bragging rights and a statement away league win.