After a two-week international break, West Ham resumes their Premier League campaign with a trip to Tottenham Hotspur for a London Derby.
West Ham are in good form in the Premier League, winning their last two games against Wolves and Leicester City. The Hammers scored seven goals in the two games and only allowed two shots on goal, conceding zero.
Tottenham are in a purple patch of their own. Spurs won their last Premier League match against Manchester United 6-1, before that they thrashed Maccabi Haifa 7-2 in the Europa League qualifiers.
TEAM NEWS
New signings Craig Dawson and Said Benrahma could make their debuts for the Hammers. The 30-year-old defender has joined the club on loan and will predominantly be used as a back-up, so a debut, however possible, is unlikely to happen. Benrahma however, will not be available for selection after he joined the club after the deadline for players registration.
David Moyes will be boosted by the news that Arthur Masuaku‘s release from DR Congo squad was just a precaution. More good news for Moyes as both Tomáš Souček and Vladimir Coufal did not test positive for COVID-19. The Czech national team suffered an outbreak, and if they did test positive, the duo could have been absent for at least a couple of weeks.
West Ham’s personnel have already been affected by the pandemic. Moyes, Issa Diop and former player Josh Cullen all tested positive and were forced to miss the last few weeks of action. The manager himself will be back in the dugout replacing Alan Irvine now he has recovered from Coronavirus.
Diop could make his return to the squad as well after completing his quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19. Though it is unlikely to see the starting eleven change on current form.
Jose Mourinho will be hoping to hand a second Spurs debut to Gareth Bale. Tottenham confirmed the loan signing of their former star from Real Madrid before the close of the transfer window. Though after demolishing United, it would be harsh to drop any of the players that started the match. For now, Bale may have to settle for a place on the bench.
PREDICTED STARTING XI’s
West Ham United Formation: 5-2-3
Fabianksi, Masuaku, Cresswell, Ogbonna, Balbuena, Coufal, Souček, Rice, Fornals, Bowen & Antonio.
Tottenham Hotspur Formation: 4-3-3
Lloris, Regulion, Dier, Sanchez, Aurier, Ndombele, Højbjerg, Sissoko, Son, Lamela & Kane.
KEY BATTLE – SOUCEK V HOJBJERG
The main battle on the pitch will be between the Souček and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg. Both players add steel to the midfield as well as a threat going forward. The Czech’s height should give him an advantage in the ariel duels that have been so key recently for West Ham.
Souček will have to stay tight to the Dane, who’s passing range could hurt the Hammers defence. The good thing is the Czech has expertly performed this role against Ruben Neves and Youri Tielemans in recent games.
MATCH PREDICTION
This match could go either way. If West Ham performs how they have been recently, then they will fancy their chances of another upset. The main thing for the Hammers going into this match is to keep their newfound defensive solidity.
Tottenham’s pace on the attack will be their main weapon against the Hammers. Heung-Min Son’s speed will have to be dealt with by Fabian Balbuena and Coufal, neither of which are the fastest of players.
The other concern for West Ham will be the moment Bale is introduced to the game, be it off the bench or from kick-off. The Welshman is one of the most talented players in the world, and Hammers fans will remember his goal at Upton Park all those years ago.
But if the Irons fend off these threats from Spurs and attack how they did against Wolves and Leicester, it could be a derby day to remember.