East London meets North London in the next EPL game week as West Ham hosts Tottenham Hotspur at the London Stadium. The two clubs’ fortunes couldn’t have been more stark in the opening weeks of this season. Tottenham are soaring with the eagles at the top of the EPL standings, whilst the turkeys surround West Ham at the wrong end of the table.
Regardless of their standing in the league, both sides will be desperate to get bragging rights over their local rivals here.
In Tottenham’s case, they would secure their 100th EPL London Derby victory, joining other London heavyweights Arsenal and Chelsea in the Century Club. Spurs come into this one after defeating Nottingham Forest 2-0.
Harry Kane scored twice; it could have been three had he converted his penalty kick in that match.
West Ham defeated fellow strugglers Aston Villa 1-0 with a Pablo Fornals wonder strike giving them their first win this season.
Tottenham at West Ham FYIs
Kick-off: Sunday, Aug 31, 7:45 pm local, London Stadium
West Ham Team News, Starting XI Prediction: go here
Tottenham Team News: Go Here
After Extra Time Podcast: Spotify Apple
Google Result Probability: West Ham victory 26% Draw 26% Tottenham victory 48%
Here’s how I think Spurs will line up against West Ham
Starting XI Prediction
With just a three-day break between matches, I think this is where we will see Antonio Conte utilize some options in his squad. Not in goals, though. Hugo Lloris starts every match he is fit for this season, so expect to see the Frenchman.
Cristian Romero returns to the back three after an injury lay off. His usual partner in crime, Eric Dier, joins him. Clement Lenglet comes in to play on the left-hand side of the Englishman. Mat Doherty comes in for Emerson Royal and Ryan Sessegnon starts ahead of Ivan Perisic.
Rodrigo Bentancur starts. I’ve pushed my Yves Bissouma agenda the last few weeks in these predictions and it hasn’t happened, so I am going with the Uruguayan. Pierre Emile Hojbjerg starts alongside him.
The triumvirate of Harry Kane, Heung Min-son and Dejan Kulusevski all start this one too. They have been devastating this year.
Match Prediction
I can’t look past Spurs here. They won’t even have to be at their best to defeat the Hammers. It won’t be a huge win, but it will be a comfortable one. Tottenham 2-0
Stuart Kavanagh is a journalist currently residing in Broken Hill, Australia. He writes for the Barrier Truth newspaper, along with being the owner of the sports and entertainment website thepyrrhic.com, He also co-hosts the ‘After Extra Time’ podcast and contributes at edgeofthecrowd.com when time permits.
Football mad, he is always down for debate and discussion at @stueyissickofit on Twitter.