Nuno Espirito Santo will be counting on his side to weather the West Ham storm and make it three wins in a row.
The improvements West Ham have made over the past 12-months under David Moyes remains evident, as the Hammers juggle domestic and European football this season. The consistency in their displays have been eye-catching so far, and they have proved to be an entertaining bunch despite facing bigger teams in that period.
In terms of London sides, their performances have only been bettered by Chelsea, with the Hammers progressing significantly over traditional city rivals Arsenal and Tottenham. Moyes’ side have plenty more to do this season, and to achieve even greater things, they have to be a force at home.
The Hammers have lost their last two home Premier League clashes to Manchester United and Brentford. However, they have been fortunate at the London Stadium with Europa League fixtures, making light work during their win over Genk during midweek. Moreover, they must be feeling confident after winning against Everton at Goodison Park in the last matchday, a performance they might want to emulate against Tottenham.
Spurs, meanwhile, endured a roller coaster start to the campaign, with three wins in a row followed by three defeats in a row. Since the morale-sapping loss to Arsenal, Tottenham have managed convincing victories against Aston Villa and the narrow yet entertaining victory over Newcastle last weekend.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side did lose their midweek Conference League clash to Vitesse, although the Portuguese may not be too concerned about it whatsoever, having fielded a second-tier squad. The manager knows well that a victory over West Ham will send them into the Top four on current standings, as they gear up for this epic London derby.
While Santo rested the 11-players for the midweek clash, the manager will have no excuses for fitness or rest issues. The team has to fire themselves into the top-four at all costs, although West Ham also has the same reward if they secure the three points at the London Stadium.
Team News & Tactics
West Ham United
Moyes might have made a wise decision to rest Michail Antonio with the Spurs clash in mind. The striker will be fresh and raring to go against their London rivals. While the striker might be available to play, the manager may probably not change the team that won at Everton.
Vladimir Coufal remains out yet again, which could result in a third consecutive start for 21-year-old Ben Johnson, who did complete 90-minutes against Everton and Genk in midweek. It might be a bit too much to start three games on the trot, but the right-back could probably relish the chance.
The other notable absentee would be Alex Kral, who tested positive for Covid-19. Otherwise, Moyes has a fully fit squad at his disposal, and the manager may keep things as they were last weekend.
Tomas Souchek, despite his nasty injury last weekend, is pencilled in to start after training this week. He will keep his place alongside regular partner Declan Rice. Further ahead, Moyes could yet decide on the positions of Said Benrahma and Pablo Fornals, with the Argentine much more effective through the middle rather than out wide.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1) – Fabianski; Johnson, Zouma, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Souchek, Rice; Bowen, Fornals, Benrahma; Antonio
Tottenham
Nuno Espirito Santo will be delighted at seeing the injury list down to only one, with Ryan Sessegnon the lone star unavailable.
Matt Doherty is also cast as a doubt, although it’s unlikely he’ll start anyway. Steven Bergwijn is now fully fit after missing a few games through injury, while the Dutchman may only find himself on the bench. Santo might prefer to go with a similar lineup that beat Newcastle last weekend.
Santo seems content with his midfield pairing of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Oliver Skipp while retaining Tanguy Ndombele in an advanced attacking role between the two wide forwards. Harry Kane will be keen to add more goals this season after finally opening his account during the win against the Magpies.
Similarly, in central defence, Santo could keep the growing partnership between Cristian Romero and Eric Dier, despite conceding two goals in the last Premier League match. With Doherty a doubt, Emerson Royal will continue to provide support from right-back, as the former Barcelona man looks to slowly find his feet and nail down a permanent place in the side.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1) – Lloris; Royal, Romero, Dier, Reguilon; Hojbjerg, Skipp; Moura, Ndombele, Son; Kane
Key Stats
- Tottenham have conceded at least 2-goals in 7 of their last-8 away Premier League games.
- West Ham have conceded at least 2-goals in their last-3 home Premier League games.
- Both teams can enter the top four with a victory on Sunday.
- West Ham have lost their last two games at home in the Premier League
- West Ham have seen over 2.5 goals in their previous 3-home games against Tottenham in all competitions.
Player to Watch
Harry Kane
The England captain finally broke his duck by scoring a crucial goal against Newcastle. There have been significant doubts over Kane’s mentality this season after a summer spent mulling over a failed move to Manchester City. Subsequently, the striker only scored his first goal in his side’s 8th game of the Premier League season.
While Newcastle may not be the best opponent to bury the ball into the net, West Ham surely is. The Hammers have been flying higher than the north Londoners in the last 12-months, and Kane needs to level this gap with a leader’s performance, specifically by scoring few goals.
Prediction
West Ham United 2-2 Tottenham
This game probably won’t go in any direction, with all factors pointing towards an entertaining draw. West Ham are not the pushovers they were a few seasons ago. They have the firepower to topple any side in the Premier League on current standings, including Spurs.
However, Spurs are rising on an upward curve after a difficult period this season. Santo’s men will be eager to take their game to the Hammers, which may produce a goal-fest, but a dead result. We predict this match to end in an entertaining draw and both teams to test each other thoroughly.
