Prediction: West Ham vs Tottenham

Verdict: West Ham double chance

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Unibet

In a real derby showdown this weekend, a high-flying West Ham will welcome Tottenham to an empty London Stadium on Sunday lunchtime.

West Ham

Starting with the hosts, managing to make an empathic return to winning ways earlier in the week, West Ham should find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. While the Hammers might have just about hung onto their Premier League status last summer, David Moyes’ men have only continued to gain a string of plaudits this time around. With many feeling that the former Manchester United boss is the leading contender for the Manager of the Year award, the East London outfit eventually cruised their way to a 3-0 romp at home against Sheffield United on Monday evening. Only making a string of improvements this season, many around the London Stadium feel that West Ham are a genuine European contender this year. Enjoying what has been by far their brightest spell in recent memory, Sunday’s hosts have collected seven points from their last three Premier League contests. With that run highlighted by a very impressive 3-1 victory away at Aston Villa earlier in the month, the Hammers have lost just one of their last 10 top-flight matchups.

Team News

In a boost for West Ham, attacking talisman Michail Antonio is back in training and should be given the green light to feature this weekend.

Fabian Balbuena could feature for the first time since January 23rd following a calf injury.

Tottenham

As for the visitors, while Tottenham might still be a side that are desperatly seeking some stability, Jose Mourinho’s side will be desperate to build off of their European display earlier in the week. Making the trip over to Austrian outfit Wolfsberger on Thursday evening, the one-time Chelsea boss saw his side eventually cruise their way to a 4-1 victory on foreign soil. However, despite picking up what was a Europa League boost in midweek, Spurs have continued on what has been a domestic nightmare. Freefalling their way down the Premier League table and in a real uphill battle to make a top-four return this year, Tottenham were last seen on top-flight duties getting hit with that 3-0 drumming against runaway leaders Manchester City. Also crashing out of the FA Cup thanks to a stunning 5-4 defeat away at Goodison Park earlier in the month, Sunday’s guests have remarkably lost five of their last six domestic matchups. It should be noted, Spurs’ sole victory on their worrying rut came thanks to a 2-0 win against leading relegation scrappers West Brom on February 7th.

Team News

After missing their Europa League victory on Thursday evening, Harry Kane is expected to be fit to start this weekend.

Sergio Reguilon is still missing with a muscle injury, while a calf problem looks set to keep fellow full-back Serge Aurier out again.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last faced off back in October, West Hm came from 3-0 down to snatch the most dramatic of points in North London.
• The Hammers have collected seven points from their three matchups since opening February.
• Likewise, Sunday’s hosts have remarkably lost just one of their previous 10 Premier League matchups.
• Despite their European victory in midweek, Tottenham have lost five of their last six domestic contests.
• Likewise, Spurs have managed to win just one of their previous seven Premier League matchups on the road.

Conclusion

While Tottenham might open Sunday’s meeting as a marginal top pick with the bookmakers, there is no doubt that the Hammers should be smelling a real chance to lay down another marker. Only continuing to shock almost everyone across the Premier League this season, they find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Collecting a 3-0 romp against Sheffield United earlier in the week and with just a single Premier League defeat in their previous 10 outings, David Moyes’ side are firmly mixing it in the European race. On the flip side, despite that routine Europa League win on Thursday evening, Tottenham are really enduring a domestic nightmare. Freefalling their way down the table and remarkably losing five of their last six domestic contests, it should also be highlighted that Spurs have won just one of their previous seven top-flight contests on the road.

Verdict: West Ham double chance

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Unibet