October 19. 14:30. London. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Premier League. Matchday 8
Fixture: Tottenham (London) – West Ham (London)
Where to watch: Setanta Sports
Injuries:
No players suspended
Injured: Wilson Odobert, Son Heung-min, Lucas Bergvall (all doubtful), Richarlison - Niclas Fulkrug (doubtful)
Tottenham vs West Ham: Bookmakers' Odds
The London derby will kick off the first round of the English Premier League after the second international break of the season. Historically, West Ham has been one of Tottenham's more manageable opponents, with the Spurs having secured an impressive 26 victories against their neighbors in the Premier League. However, recent encounters have tended to favor the Hammers. Last season, West Ham earned four points from two matches against Tottenham and have lost only two of their previous eight Premier League outings (3 wins, 3 draws).
Tottenham Hotspur
After a string of disappointing results to start the season, Ange Postecoglou’s team seemed to have found their rhythm and are gaining momentum. The Spurs convincingly defeated Brentford (3:1), secured a devastating away victory against Manchester United (3:0), and have also started confidently in the Europa League, overcoming Qarabag (3:0) and Ferencvaros (2:1). Their match against Brighton followed a similar script, with Tottenham expertly exploiting the vulnerabilities of their opponent's high defensive line. Brennan Johnson put Tottenham ahead in the first half, extending his scoring streak to six games across all competitions. The Spurs went into halftime with a two-goal advantage but were soon pegged back to a 2:3 defeat after conceding two quick goals after the restart.
This match in Brighton highlighted the issues that hindered Tottenham's aspirations for a Champions League place last season. The team still lacks consistency and the crucial ability to maintain control throughout the entire match. Instead of inching closer to the top four and heading into the international break on a high note, the Spurs have found themselves mid-table.
West Ham United
Under the management of Julen Lopetegui, West Ham had a rocky start to the season, partly due to a challenging schedule. However, just before the international break, the Hammers gave plenty of reasons for optimistic forecasts. In their match against Ipswich, the Londoners finally showcased an entertaining, expansive style of football — the very reason the club appointed the Spanish coach. The West Ham players registered an impressive thirteen shots on target, the best figure for the team in the last 19 years. Four of those efforts found the back of the net, resulting in a commanding 4:1 victory, with every member of the attacking quartet contributing: Michail Antonio, Mohammed Kudus, Jarrod Bowen, and Lucas Paqueta all scoring.
The Hammers now face a challenging schedule ahead. In their next two fixtures, Lopetegui's team will take on Tottenham and Manchester United, followed immediately by Newcastle and Arsenal after the next international break. These games will show how well the Hammers have grasped the Spanish coach's philosophy and whether they are ready to be a serious force in English football.
Tottenham vs West Ham: Author's Prediction
Both teams lack consistency. The Spurs and the Hammers are capable of both delightful surprises and disappointing performances. In my view, bookmakers are significantly underestimating the visitors. I believe West Ham can manage to avoid defeat, but the best bet for this match seems to be on goals scored, as both teams are primarily focused on attacking play. My prediction is: both teams to score + total over (2.5).