West Ham are fifth in the Premier League and have their sights set on making the Champions League. The Hammers are level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea and a win and results going their way could send them back into the top four.
Tottenham Hotspur are coming off of a Thursday night Europa League win in Austria against Wolfsberger AC. The Londoners won 4-1 with Gareth Bale starring. Jose Mourinho’s side are in poor form when it comes to the Premier League. They have lost four of their last five games.
Last weekend, Spurs were played off the park by Manchester City, losing 3-0. Their win in the Europa League on Thursday came against an inferior Austrian side and the quality of opponent will be higher away to West Ham.
These teams played a thriller at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium back in October. Spurs led 3-0 after 16 minutes thanks to a goal from Heung-min Son and two from Harry Kane. However, David Moyes’ Hammers battled back with three goals in the final 18 minutes to claim a 3-3 draw.
West Ham are second in the current Premier League form table. They took 13 points from their last 18 on offer. Although the defence conceded seven times, West Ham scored 12 goals. They kept back-to-back clean sheets in the league.
Spurs took a mere six points from their last 18 possible. A mere six goals were scored over the course of their last six matches with nine being allowed to opponents. Mourinho’s side is currently struggling against top five teams having lost recently to Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester City.
Moyes has six players on the West Ham injury list ahead of matchday 25. Defender Arthur Masuaku is ruled out with a knee problem. Michail Antonio is racing to be fit to start, but may only make the bench due to a thigh injury.
Fabian Balbuena has a calf issue that could keep him out while goalkeeper Darren Randolph is nursing a knock. Defender Angelo Ogbonna and forward Andriy Yarmolenko are both ruled out with injuries.
Mourinho has three players suffering with injuries. Giovani Lo Celso is ruled out of the game as is Serge Aurier. Meanwhile, Sergio Reguilon could return in time to make the team.
A big win in Budapest 👊@KumhoTyreUK ⚪️ #COYS pic.twitter.com/c8mbFkXNc9— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) February 19, 2021
A big win in Budapest 👊@KumhoTyreUK ⚪️ #COYS pic.twitter.com/c8mbFkXNc9
Spurs’ recent form in the league has been abysmal and West Ham should take advantage of it. The Hammers should get their first home win versus Tottenham Hotspur since the 2016-17 season. Both teams should score with over 2.5 goals tallied as the Hammers potentially move into the top four.