OPINION
Tottenham have won their last three league games on the bounce and they will not want to slip up against West Ham on Saturday at the London Stadium.
Mauricio Pochettino may be without the attacking talents of Dele Alli, as confirmed by Spurs’ official Twitter account, for Saturday’s game but he has enough firepower to blow the Hammers’ away.
TEAM NEWS: @dele_official (hamstring) – expected to return to training next week.
Danny Rose (groin) – progressing with his rehabilitation.
@JanVertonghen (hamstring) – continuing his recovery and remains unavailable. pic.twitter.com/eYlQAGwDQU— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) October 18, 2018
The Spurs boss must make three changes from the side that squeaked out a 1-0 win against Cardiff City ahead of the international break to ensure that his side overcome Manuel Pellegrini’s side.
Pochettino only has to make one change regarding his defence, with Hugo Lloris keeping his place in goal, and that see’s Ben Davies come in for Danny Rose who is unavailable.
The English left-back is not available due to a groin strain but Pochettino knows Davies can easily make the loss of Rose to injury irrelevant as he is a reliable presence.
Pochettino should then leave the midfield pairing of Eric Dier and Harry Winks intact as it seemed to work well against the Bluebirds and it will be able to help Spurs’ deal with anything the Hammers have to offer going forward.
Spurs appeared to play a flexible 4-4-2 against Cardiff, with Lucas Moura looking like he was partnering Harry Kane upfront at times, and the Brazilian should keep his place in the team but more to the right-flank.
Kane, who has scored five goals in eight league games so far, keeps his place up top but has a returning Christian Eriksen playing behind him in order to feed him chances against the Hammers.
Eriksen’s return, as he was previously on the sidelines due to an abdomen injury (Source: Spurs’ official Twitter), sees Pochettino have to drop Moussa Sissoko, who started against Cardiff, to the bench in order to accommodate him.
TEAM NEWS: @ChrisEriksen8 (abdomen) and @mousadembele (thigh) have both returned to training with the squad and are available for selection. pic.twitter.com/zghbXDbPkr
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) October 18, 2018
The third and final change Pochettino needs to make to ensure Spurs’ have the firepower to inflict punishment on their London revivals sees Son Heung-min axed, as he has been struggling, and replaced by the in-form Erik Lamela on the flank.
The 26-year-old winger has been seen more on the right-flank this season but there should be no concerns about whether he can continue his excellent start to the season on the opposite wing.
Lamela has scored four, while assisting two, and is capable of causing the less than sturdy Hammers’ defence nightmares especially with him no doubt brimming with confidence over his recent form.
Also Son, who earns £140,000-a-week (Source: Spotrac), may be axed but having him to call upon from the bench will no doubt have the Hammers still sweating.
This Spurs’ best XI will see Pochettino’s side rack up another win and cause the Hammers misery as it will be too much for them to handle.
