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West Ham vs Tottenham Hotspur Preview | Key Men, Stats and Team News

Tottenham are sitting two points behind League leaders Leicester City. They will be looking to snatch the 3 points from this game against West Ham and hope to get closer to their title dreams this season. Mauricio Pochettino admits he may have to be careful with some of his players ahead of Tottenham’s crunch trip to West Ham on Wednesday.

West Ham, on the other hand, enjoyed a 5-1 victory over Blackburn in the FA Cup, and a 1-0 win over Sunderland in the EPL, will be hoping to carry forward with this form. However, in their game against Norwich earlier, they did slip up and were down by two goals, only to revert back and end the game in a draw. However, Norwich did prove to be the better team in that game, and if West Ham are to win this game against the mighty Spurs, they will have to ensure they display a stronger form.

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Team News

Spurs fought back from behind to beat Swansea 2-1 on Sunday, their first of three games in six days with the Hammers on Wednesday, before Saturday’s north London derby against Arsenal. Harry Kane played wearing a face mask at White Hart Lane after breaking his nose last weekend but Dele Alli may need to be assessed after kicking the ground during the warm-up. Alli appeared uninhibited as he played the whole 90 minutes against Swansea but the midfielder was seen hobbling heavily as he left the stadium after the match.

For the Hammers, Diafra Sakho, Winston Reid and Andy Carroll are all back in training and will now spend the next few days building up their fitness. Diafra has been out for three months and will need a bit more time, while Andy and Winston will hope to play some part in the games that we have got coming up next week.

Interesting Facts

• This is Tottenham’s third best start to a Premier League season in terms of points (2011-12 (28) and 2009-10 (22). Spurs finished fourth in each of those seasons.
• This is West Ham’s best ever start to a Premier League season after 12 matches (21 points).
• Dimitri Payet has been involved in 35 per cent of West Ham’s Premier League goals this season; more than any other player at the club.
• West Ham have won four of their six Premier League away matches this season; they had won just four of the previous 25.
• Spurs have lost just two of their last 19 Premier League home matches (W11 D6 L2).
• There have been three red cards in the last three Premier League meetings between Spurs and the Hammers. This season, West Ham have earned the most reds (four) and Spurs the most yellow cards (27).

League Head to Head

22/11/2015 Premier League 2015/2016 Tottenham Hotspur 4 – 1 West Ham United

22/02/2015 Premier League 2014/2015 Tottenham Hotspur 2 – 2 West Ham United

16/08/2014 Premier League 2014/2015 West Ham United 0 – 1 Tottenham Hotspur

03/05/2014 Premier League 2013/2014 West Ham United 2 – 0 Tottenham Hotspur

18/12/2013 League Cup 2013/2014 Tottenham Hotspur 1 – 2 West Ham United

06/10/2013 Premier League 2013/2014 Tottenham Hotspur 0 – 3 West Ham United

Key Players

Tottenham Hotspur – Eric Dier

With Dier at the midfield, Spurs have been able to add the solidity they need at the base of that aggressive trap-and-press defense. Whether paired with Mousa Dembele, Tom Carroll or a deeper-lying Dele Alli, Dier is particularly proficient at slowing down attacks before the rest of the defense gets dragged out of position.

Sometimes that means tracking runners behind the full-backs so that a center-back doesn’t get dragged wide and out of position. Other times, it means shading his body and positioning to force an opposing attack towards the side of the field where his full-back is in position and away from the open flank. Often, he simply prevents opponents from playing passes into forwards from awkward spots.

West Ham United – Dmitri Payet

He was inspirational in the FA Cup win over Blackburn and the West Ham schemer looked back to his best in the league at Norwich, with a goal and an assist. Dimitri Payet has arguably been the bargain of the season.

Despite having missed two months through injury, the Frenchman has scored nine goals this season and created eight. Payet has created 67 chances in 19 league appearances this season. Real Madrid’s £86m forward Gareth Bale has created 38 in 15 La Liga matches. It is no secret that Payet produces twice as many “key passes” a match. In a match where the Spurs have been known for keeping such a tight defence, Dmitri’s scoring skils will be put to test.

Prediction

With the Spurs being in great form and West Ham also known to create a few upsets this season, this game can prove to be a highly entertaining and exciting game.
The match is likely to end in a 2-1 victory for the Spurs.

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