The Premier League returns in full force this weekend after the international hiatus, with Tottenham Hotspur set to kick off the action by welcoming London rivals West Ham United to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at 12:30 PM (BST) on Saturday.
Spurs, under the stewardship of Ange Postecoglou, will be eager to bounce back after a disappointing collapse in their last outing against Brighton & Hove Albion. After leading 2-0 at halftime, the Lilywhites saw their advantage slip away as Brighton turned the game on its head, ultimately losing 3-2 in a match that left fans reeling.
Meanwhile, the Hammers are riding high on the back of a 4-1 demolition of Ipswich Town, which could serve as a springboard for their season following a rocky start under new manager Julen Lopetegui. West Ham will be looking to turn their fortunes around as they navigate through a challenging fixture.
Current Odds: Tottenham are clear favorites for the win with odds of 1/2, whereas West Ham's odds stand at 24/5, and a draw is priced at 15/4.
It's no surprise that the home side holds the higher odds given their current standing in the league. However, the season has been anything but straightforward for Spurs, who have often dominated possession and created numerous chances without being rewarded. Their early season form saw them drop points against Leicester City and Newcastle, while a convincing 3-0 victory over Manchester United momentarily raised hopes that they had found their rhythm. Yet, the collapse against Brighton has raised questions once again.
West Ham, despite significant recruitment efforts over the summer, have struggled against top opposition, with heavy defeats at the hands of Liverpool and Chelsea painting a worrying picture. Nevertheless, the recent home victory could provide much-needed confidence going into this London derby.
Goal Odds: Spurs are expected to be prolific in front of goal, having netted 14 times this season for an average of two goals per game, while West Ham's scoring has been inconsistent, netting just six goals in six games prior to their latest triumph.
Key Odds Overview:
Both Teams to Score: 1/2
Neither Team to Score: 10/11
The high defensive line of Spurs can leave them exposed, having conceded eight goals already. On the other hand, West Ham has not been much better, letting in eleven and managing just one clean sheet thus far.
This match will be a tricky affair for both sides, reflecting the intense rivalry between them. For Tottenham to secure victory, they must leverage their ball control and be sharp during transitions. West Ham, on the other hand, may adopt a more counter-attacking approach given that they are not likely to dominate possession.
Betting Insights:
Over 2.5 Goals: 2/5
Under 2.5 Goals: 7/4
Regarding individual performances, Dominic Solanke is tipped as a potential goalscorer at 11/10, having made a strong start at Tottenham with two goals in his first five games. Brennen Johnson is also one to watch, having netted in every game he has played recently.
For West Ham, Jarrod Bowen stands out as their likely threat, having previously netted 16 goals in the Premier League last season, and is priced at 13/5 to score anytime.
Match Prediction: While this contest could swing either way, Tottenham are expected to emerge victorious with a 2-1 win, provided they can display the resilience and skill that their fans are craving following their recent disappointments.
Best Bets for the Match:
Both Teams to Score (1/2)
Dominic Solanke to Score First (4/1)
Jarrod Bowen to Score Anytime (13/5)
All odds provided courtesy of William Hill.