The Big Match Tactical View: Tottenham v West Ham

Michael Cox
26 April 2019

Suspended for the upcoming Ajax game, Son Heung-min will start here

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Saturday's early kick-off is a London derby from White Hart Lane. Michael Cox and Alan Thompson preview the action.

"Felipe Anderson had a good tussle with Kieran Trippier in the reverse game and could get some joy here"

Tottenham v West Ham
Saturday 12:30, Sky Sports Premier League
Match Odds: Tottenham 1.444/9, West Ham 8.07/1, The Draw 5.59/2

Tottenham are preparing for the biggest week in their recent history, but before Tuesday night's test against Ajax, first they face West Ham United in Saturday's early kick-off. After the nervy midweek victory over Brighton, they'll hope to be playing against a side who plays higher up the pitch, and leaves more space to break into.

Arnautovic and Anderson to lead the Hammers' breaks

The reverse fixture was an interesting game, won 1-0 by Tottenham at the London Stadium, with Hugo Lloris man-of-the-match after he repeatedly foiled Marco Arnautovic. The Austrian has had a difficult second half of the campaign after rumours of his departure in January, but he was recalled last weekend and looks set to lead the line here.

Manuel Pellegrini has opted for a 4-3-3 formation in recent weeks, and seems likely to deploy the same system here. Arnautovic will be flanked by Michail Antonio, who scored a trademark headed goal in the 2-2 draw at Leicester last time out, and left-sided Felipe Anderson, who had a good tussle with Kieran Trippier in the reverse game and could get some joy here, considering the Spurs right-back's recent problems against tricky opponents. Lucas Perez will probably continue from the bench, despite his somewhat fortunate equaliser last weekend.

Marko Arnautovic West Ham 1280.jpg

Wilshere to feature?

In midfield, Jack Wilshere made his return from injury last tie out, and will hope to play some part here - expect a frosty reception from the home supporters - but Robert Snodgrass will probably continue, tucking inside into a midfield trio alongside Mark Noble, who has scampered forward well in recent weeks thanks to the insurance of Declan Rice playing excellently in front of the defence.

Arthur Masuaku and Pablo Zabaleta will flank Angelo Ogbonna and Fabian Balbuena, with the outstanding Lukasz Fabianski in goal - few other Premier League shotstoppers have been so reliable this season, and if West Ham are to get a result here, the Pole will surely need to be on top form.

No need to rest Son

Mauricio Pochettino will be slightly tempted to rotate for this game, although one man who will definitely start is Son Heung-min, who is sadly suspended from the first leg against Ajax. He might lead the line, and make runs into the channels, especially if Erik Lamela is fit to start out wide.

If not, Fernando Llorente will play upfront with Son and Lucas Moura either side, which tends to make Spurs more inclined to go wide and cross the ball, particularly through right-sided Trippier. Danny Rose tends to make more sudden accelerations on the overlap, and could force back Antonio.

Christian Eriksen was the matchwinner in midweek and will be charged with providing the creativity from midfield, with Dele Alli making late runs into the box. Moussa Sissoko is still out, and Harry Winks won't be risked, so it's a toss-up between Eric Dier and Victor Wanyama for the deep midfield role. Dier could start, with Wanyama saved for midweek.

Christian Eriksen Barcelona 1280.jpg

Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen remain amongst the best partnerships in the league, and they should be comfortable enough against Arnautovic, who looks somewhat out of form at this stage in the season.

I think Spurs will be relatively comfortable here. West Ham's attack doesn't look particularly cohesive at the moment, and while the manner the midfield has shielded the defence has been impressive in recent weeks, I'm not sure the defenders themselves will be capable of coping with Spurs' individual quality. Son's absence from the midweek fixture means he'll surely play for 90 minutes here, and therefore I'll back him to score two or more at 4.03/1.

The Betfair's Trader View - Al Thompson

Tottenham will obviously have one eye on Tuesday nights Champions League semi-final against Ajax, but they also have the small matter of securing a top four finish. Luckily their last gasp winner against Brighton combined with Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United all doing them a favour, has put them in a superb position to achieve that goal.

While Spurs have things to play for, their opponents, in all honesty, don't. It looks like they've finished the season early; they have just three wins in their last 13 Premier League starts, all three wins coming at home and two of them against relegated sides (Huddersfield 4-3 and Fulham 3-1). The Hammers have collected just on point and scored two goals from their last eight games on the road.

I think Spurs will take the points and a massive stride towards a top four finish, I considered backing them on the Asian Handicap -1 & -1.5 at around 2.01/1 and also Tottenham / Tottenham in the Half Time / Full Time market at 2.26/5 or better.

While I don’t think either of those are bad bets, I decided on Tottenham to win to Nil at 2.6413/8. They have scored eight and conceded none so far at their new home and I think that clean sheet record may have at least one more game in it.

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