Tottenham fans must be pretty optimistic heading into the fixture against West Ham on Saturday. Spurs are the only unbeaten team and occupy the fifth position in the table; only 5 five points away from league leaders Liverpool.
Their opponents, though, have a totally different story to tell. West Ham has made a pretty dismal start to their campaign and has just won 3 matches so far. They are positioned 17th in the league and don’t seem to be getting better.
Tottenham
Team News and Tactics
Pochettino must be frustrated with the injury woes he has to deal with as more than eight players are sidelined due to injuries. As confirmed by the Manager; Toby Alderweireld (knee) Erik Lamela (hip) and Ben Davies (ankle) have been ruled out. Dele Alli though is doubtful as he suffers from a minor knee issue.
Harry Kane is expected to be back in the line-up while Mousa Dembele (muscle fatigue), Christian Eriksen (hip) and Danny Rose (foot injury) are also in contention. Sissoko will be back in the line-up after serving his 3 match suspension.
Predicted Lineup (4-1-4-1): Lloris; Walker, Dier, Vertonghen, Rose; Wanyama; Sissoko, Dembele, Eriksen, Son; Kane.
West Ham
Team News and Tactics
West Ham isn’t doing any better on the injury front either. Sam Byram (hamstring), Andy Carroll (knee), Gokhan Tore (thigh) and Reece Oxford (ankle) are all sidelined and have been ruled out. Striker Sakho (back) is unlikely to start as he might not possess the required match fitness. Defenders Reid (hamstring) and Collins (calf) are doubtful as well.
West Ham (3-4-2-1): Adrian; Kouyate, Reid, Ogbonna; Antonio, Nordtveit, Obiang, Cresswell; Lanzini, Payet, Ayew
Key Stats (Taken from FourFourTwo)
- Although they defeated West Ham 4-1 at home last November, Spurs have won just one of their last four games against the Hammers at White Hart Lane (D1 L2) in all competitions.
- This is Spurs’ longest winless run in all competitions (D5 L2) since May 2004, in which they went eight without a victory.
- Despite this, Tottenham is the only unbeaten Premier League side remaining this season (W5 D6 L0). Only twice before in the top-flight have Spurs managed to avoid defeat in their opening 12 games (1959/60 and 1960/61).
- Dimitri Payet has created 40 goalscoring chances this season in league competition, more than any other player in the big five European leagues in 2016-17.
- Harry Kane has scored three times in two previous home league games against the Hammers for Spurs.
Prediction – Tottenham 2-0 West Ham
Even though Tottenham have lost a bit of their early form, the return of mercurial striker Harry Kane should revitalise the side and ensure that they hammer West Ham.