Premier League Preview Tottenham at West Ham London Derby

Players to Watch

West Ham Players to Watch

While Antonio and Balbuena may be back, the beat of the West Ham game starts in their deep midfield with Tomas Soucek. Soucek at 25-year-old from the Czech Republic has been flat out outstanding for the Hammers this term. Soucek has been for West Ham what Pierre Højbjerg has been for Spurs – a steadying influence in the deep midfield that protects the defense.

Soucek is near dominant in the air, averaging almost 6 aerial wins per Premier League match. That strength in the air is leveraged in set piece situations for West Ham and is something Spurs need to be keenly aware. Soucek has eight goals this season leading the team.

What Soucek has been defensively in the midfield for West Ham young Jarrod Bowen has been offensively for Hammers. Bowen is Moyes offensive utility knife playing the 24-year-old in five different positions along the right and central of both the midfield and attack.

Bowen reminds me a bit of Lucas Moura in that he is a runner. Sometimes that running leads to fantastic moments like his five goals and three assists. Other times he is just running. However, even then that applies pressure and we know pressure is not something Spurs really cope well with.

Tottenham Players to Watch

The first Tottenham Hotspur player to keep an eye on is Harry Kane. All indications were that it was simply just the right move in keeping Kane home midweek. If the talisman seems to have a hitch in his giddy up then we know it might be something more. Likely Kane just got some much needed rest and is ready to go and lead the line, getting back to scoring and assisting as he was doing earlier this season.

While one could bet the farm on Kane playing Sunday, who is playing with him – besides a talented South Korean – is a different story. It is quite possible after his showing midweek that Gareth Bale gets the call and starts the match. That would be better and give him the chance to get some back against West Ham – as he was subbed on for all three goals in the draw earlier this season.

Likewise, defensively it would be good to see Davinson Sanchez, start, play, and play well. Sanchez had been doing good throughout the season until the own goal against West Ham seemed to send things down a different turn. Sanchez is another player who would certainly like to get the taste of Hammers out of his mouth and if he gets his chance, expect a good game.