Match Preview for West Ham v Tottenham
Saturday evening brings a London derby to the Premier League stage as West Ham host Tottenham at the London Stadium.
The Hammers head into the game buoyed by their first league win of the campaign, while Spurs begin life without long-serving figurehead Daniel Levy, whose departure during the international break marked the end of an era.
For the first time since December 2000, Tottenham will take to the field without Levy in a leadership role. Back then, the club drew 1-1 with Arsenal in the North London derby before Levy assumed board duties two days later and eventually became executive chairman.
His 24-year reign delivered two pieces of silverware and plenty of top-four finishes, but the hierarchy opted for change, installing former Arsenal executive Peter Charrington as non-executive chairman.
Levy’s final match was a 1-0 home defeat to Bournemouth – a performance that highlighted Tottenham’s ongoing inconsistency.
Spurs have now lost 17 of their last 23 Premier League matches not involving newly-promoted sides, and victories in London derbies have been equally scarce, with just three in their last 16.
In contrast, Graham Potter’s West Ham arrive on the back of a morale-boosting 3-0 win away to Nottingham Forest, courtesy of goals from Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta and Callum Wilson.
That victory ended a miserable run that had seen them beaten by Sunderland, Chelsea, and Wolves. Still, the Irons remain winless in their last six home league fixtures, a run including three draws and three losses.
The London Stadium has provided little joy against Spurs in recent years either, though the last three league meetings on this ground have all ended 1-1. Tottenham have not taken maximum points away at West Ham since 2019, adding further intrigue to Saturday’s contest.
Team news for West Ham v Tottenham
New Spurs signings Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani could both make their first appearances in this derby. Simons may start, while Kolo Muani is expected to begin on the bench as he competes with Richarlison and Dominic Solanke – the latter recovering from an ankle issue – for the striker’s role. Yves Bissouma is also close to a return but unlikely to break into the XI just yet.
Tottenham remain without Kota Takai (foot), Dejan Kulusevski (knee), James Maddison (ACL) and Radu Dragusin (ACL), though encouragingly, the latter has made progress in his rehabilitation.
For West Ham, veteran goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski has rejoined on a short-term contract, while Igor Julio has arrived on loan from Brighton after turning down Crystal Palace.
Niclas Fullkrug (calf) and Luis Guilherme (shoulder) are both unavailable, while George Earthy (ankle) is a doubt.
Callum Wilson is the most likely replacement for Fullkrug, although Potter could opt to shift Bowen centrally and introduce Crysencio Summerville, who impressed off the bench against Forest by delivering an assist and winning a penalty late on.
Expected line-ups for West Ham v Tottenham
West Ham: Hermansen; Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Kilman, Diouf; Ward-Prowse, Soucek; Fernandes, Paqueta, Summerville; Bowen
Tottenham: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Palhinha, Bentancur; Kudus, Sarr, Simons; Richarlison
