The London derby between West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur pits two teams that have experienced very different journeys this season. Tottenham started well and have struggled since. West Ham stumbled out the blocks, but have found form following that slow start. With both London rivals thinking about finishing top four and Spurs looking for a little revenge from a difficult draw earlier this season, expect an open, high scoring match.
Recent Form Favors the Hammers
If not for the start of the season, West Ham would be challenging Manchester City for the title. West Ham had 8 points after 7 matches this season and some were wondering if David Moyes was the right man for the job. However, in 17 matches since, West Ham have earned 34 points – an awesome 2 per match – which have propelled them into the conversation for the top four.
In those 17 matches, West Ham have won 10, drawn four, and lost only three. The more recent form is still at that level. In their last five league matches Hammers have won three drawing one, and losing one, for 10 points in five matches – exactly two per match.
Tottenham have been struggling for consistency
Tottenham have struggled to find consistent form after a strong start. Spurs had 25 points from their first 12 matches, just over that 2 point per match pace that West Ham have been on. However, over the last 11 matches, Spurs have taken only 11 points. That is even worse that Hammers’ 8 points from 7 matches.
We know Spurs have struggled in the league lately, with only three wins against four defeats in all of 2021. However, in a match where it pits two teams that frankly do not like each other, fighting for elusive European places in the same city, form means little.
Team News for Spurs and Hammers
Mourinho v Moyes
Maybe for some the storyline of the match is one of José Mourinho against David Moyes. This is a storyline more from the novelty of Moyes never beating Mourinho in now 15 matches against one another. Whether it has been Chelsea versus Everton, or Chelsea versus Manchester United, or Manchester United against Sunderland, or Manchester United against West Ham or the current Tottenham versus West Ham, Moyes has never come out with all three points.
Now two of the last thee matches between the managers charges have ended in draws, but Mourinho is still averaging 2.20 points per contest with nine wins and six draws in those 15 matches. At a Tottenham fan we certainly want to see that trend continue.
Injury Updates
There really is no new injury news for Tottenham from Thursday evening in Hungary against Wolsfberger. That is actually good news because for once no new names were added to the injury list. While not an injury absence Harry Kane should return after getting Thursday evening off.
As for the trio of Giovanni Lo Celso, Sergio Reguilon, and Serge Aurier – it seems this game will be too soon for any of them. That said, the Spaniard may be back next week for the home leg of the Europa League round of 32.
The big news for West Ham is that Michail Antonio and Fabian Balbuena may be back from injury and available for Moyes Sunday. Antonio has historically given Spurs fits with his pace and power and Balbuena adds balance to the side particularly with Andriy Yarmolenko and Angleo Ogbonna likely still out of action.
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.
What to Expect Sunday
After the last match Tottenham kind of righted things and played okay for a few more weeks before the wheels really started to fall off. For West Ham that match eventually led to the overall turnaround in their season. Now months later with the teams headed once again in seemingly opposite directions they meet for London bragging rights.
Tottenham is going to want this one and want it badly. After blowing the lead last time, Spurs are going to come out strong and look to get on the Hammers. Frankly that is okay for West Ham who seem to relish the role of comeback kid.
However, on this day a very different outcome ensures. West Ham will score, whether it is early or late we do not know, but Tottenham as we do know struggles with the concentration. West Ham is too proficient at set pieces and making something out of nothing to be held completely scoreless.
The question is what Spurs can do with the ball and how many can they score. Looking to get over the demons of West Ham past, Tottenham run in a match closer than the score line, but Spurs win 1-4.