What to expect from West Ham vs Tottenham Hotspur

It’s a match supporters circle on their calendar, as Tottenham, who have won three in a row at London Stadium, get set to go to war with West Ham. 

Even though Tottenham haven won just three of their last12  matches, Jose Mourinho should enter this London Derby with confidence after recent success both both West Ham and David Moyes.

In 15 head-to-head matches, Mourinho hasn’t tasted defeat against Moyes, winning nine and drawing six. It’s Jose’s longest unbeaten streak against any manager, which should provide the gaffer a little extra incentive. It’s always worrying seeing those remarkable stat lines, as one feels at some point it’s bound to come an end. Hopefully not tomorrow, though.

The Hammers are in scintillating home form, oddly turning London Stadium, even without the presence of supporters, into somewhat of a fortress. West Ham’s only two losses in their last 10 home matches came against Manchester United and Liverpool. During that impressive home run they even managed to hold Manchester City to a 1-1 draw.

Moyes has injected structure and defensive organization into his side, more so in the current campaign. They are, however, susceptible to conceding, as Liverpool and United scored three each at the London Stadium in recent West Ham defeats.

West Ham’s offence has shown real promise this season, with the Hammers scoring the seventh most goals in the top flight (sixth most at home).

Though I expect, considering what’s at stake, a cagey, low-scoring affair. There should only be a goal in it, though a draw is also a likely result. Tottenham unravelled last time they played West Ham in the league, conceding three in the final 10 minutes to throw away a three-goal lead. That won’t happen again.

If Spurs go a goal up, it will be crucial for Jose’s men to continue going forward while shoring up the back. The away side will not want to sit back and absorb pressure, and must find a way to continue pushing the tempo. Spurs won’t have nearly as much possession as they did against Wolfsberger, but will want to dictate play and prove they aren’t defined by their preferred counter-attacking mantra.

Undefeated in 11 away matches against the Hammers, Spurs look to extend their streak in tomorrow’s lunchtime encounter.

Tomorrow’s match will mark Jose’s 50th Premier League match in charge of Spurs, and he’ll love nothing more than to get another one over West Ham and Moyes while decreasing the gap between the two sides to just three points.