Tottenham vs West Ham predictions: Defences may struggle in London derby

James Milton
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Julen Lopetegui is still trying to get the best out of a talented West Ham squad.
Julen Lopetegui is still trying to get the best out of a talented West Ham squad.

- Tottenham let slip a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 at Brighton last time out
- West Ham impressed in a 4-1 win over Ipswich, racking up 13 shots on target
- Recommended bet: Over 3.5 goals

West Ham won 2-1 at Tottenham in the Premier League last season and they are targeting another successful raid on their London rivals this weekend.

The Hammers produced their best performance of the Julen Lopetegui era just before the international break, thrashing Ipswich 4-1 at the London Stadium.

Tottenham lost 3-2 at Brighton, having led 2-0 at the break, but they had won their previous five matches in all competitions and are favourites to take three points against the Hammers.

Team news

Tottenham will assess the fitness of forward Heung-Min Son and winger Wilson Odobert, who have both been struggling with thigh injuries. 

Striker Richarlison (calf) remains sidelined but Brennan Johnson should be fresh after missing Wales's Nations League win over Montenegro due to suspension.

West Ham will monitor the players returning from international duty but they hope to welcome back striker Niclas Fullkrug, who has had an injury-hit start to his career in England.

Ange Postecoglou will want to see Spurs respond to a sloppy collapse against Brighton last time out.
Ange Postecoglou will want to see Spurs respond to a sloppy collapse against Brighton last time out.

The stats

Eight of Tottenham's last nine games in all competitions featured over 2.5 goals and Spurs have been leading at half-time in their last five matches.

Brennan Johnson has scored in his last seven appearances for Spurs and Wales.

Both teams have scored in 16 of West Ham's last 20 Premier League matches and the Hammers have kept only one clean sheet in their last 12 away league games.

Four of West Ham's last seven away wins were by a 2-1 scoreline.

Prediction

Tottenham responded well to their 1-0 Premier League home defeat to Arsenal in September, winning five games on the trot in the league, EFL Cup and Europa League.

Ange Postecoglou's men looked set to extend that winning streak after a convincing first-half display at Brighton, but a capitulation after the break allowed the Seagulls to win 3-2.

Spurs remain an inconsistent side, so they make little appeal at short odds to beat West Ham, who took four points off them last season despite conceding early goals in both meetings.

Like Tottenham, the Hammers are hard to trust defensively so over 3.5 goals could be the best bet in north London on Saturday.

West Ham were superb going forward against Ipswich last time out, racking up 13 shots on target and hitting the woodwork twice.

Key forward Jarrod Bowen, who scored one goal and set up another against the Tractor Boys, should be fresh after missing England's Nations League fixtures and the Hammers can contribute to an entertaining clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. 

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Tottenham HotspurWest Ham UnitedPremier League