We wanted to play them every week last season, after taking three wins from three matches. We’ve been handed the chance to either get off to a flyer against our rivals or conversely “the worst possible start”. There’s no competitive form to go by and the squads have changed since previous meetings.
Transfer Dealings
There are no notable departures from Tottenham Hotspur this transfer window thus far. Many have been sold, but they weren’t a key part of the squad last season. As for incomings, Spurs have signed Ben Davies and Michel Vorm from Swansea City, DeAndre Yedlin from Seattle Sounders and Eric Dier from Sporting Lisbon. Tottenham brought in many signings last year and many ‘flopped’. However they have been given some more time to gel, and they have strengthened their defence this window.
All three could make their debuts but it is unlikely that Michel Vorm will ever get ahead of France international Hugo Lloris.
As for West Ham, they could offer debuts to Aaron Cresswell, Diego Poyet, Cheikhou Kouyate, Mauro Zarate, and Carl Jenkinson.
Previous Six Meetings
West Ham 2-0 Tottenham
Tottenham 1-2 West Ham
Tottenham 0-3 West Ham
West Ham 2-3 Tottenham
Tottenham 3-1 West Ham
Tottenham 0-0 West Ham
Team News
West Ham
Andy Carroll is West Ham’s only long-term injury hit player. There are slight doubts over Jenkinson, Demel, Cresswell, and Jarvis. Enner Valencia is still hungover from the World Cup and hasn’t got his fitness up to scratch just yet. It’s anyone’s guess as to whether Ravel Morrison will be around to terrorise Spurs’ defence again as he needs his own defence more at the moment.
Tottenham
Dembele, Chiriches, Dawson, and Walker and out for the derby opener. Jan Vertonghen is also a doubt.
Likely Line-Ups
West Ham
Adrian
Cresswell – Tomkins – Reid – O’Brien
Noble – Kouyate
Downing – Nolan – Jarvis
Cole
Tottenham
Lloris
Davies – Dier – Kaboul – Naughton
Holtby – Sandro
Lennon – Lamela – Eriksen
Soldado
Prediction
Neither set of fans will want to lose this one, especially as it’s the opening fixture of the Premier League season. So much so that both sets of fans would settle for a point should their team fall behind at any point in the match. A win would mean a lot to West Ham but it is early in the season and a lose isn’t the end of the world.
My prediction will have to be a draw, and I don’t think the goals will start flowing just yet –West Ham 1-1 Tottenham.
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I think both sides settle for an honourable draw…..
although I doubt Jarvis plays, Diame starts in lopsided 4-4-1-1
could be like watching Brazil !!…..DOH!!!
ham fans smell of stale urine and dried vomit… please do explain why?
Because I spent the night with your sister and your mum
COYI !!!!!!
I thought Jarvis was injured? Diame will play but it’ll be out wide where he hates to be because it doesn’t suit him. Nolan just behind loan striker, which will be Carlton Cole. I’ll be happy if we pick up point. Tomorrow will be a tough game.