Premier League Clash: Tottenham Hotspur vs. West Ham United Preview
The highly anticipated Premier League clash between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United is set for January 17. Both teams are entering this contest under considerable pressure.
Match Overview
The match will kick off at 10:00 AM ET (3:00 PM UK time) at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The game will be available for streaming on Peacock in the United States.
Current Standings
Tottenham Hotspur: 14th place with 27 points
West Ham United: 18th place with 14 points
Recent Form
Tottenham Hotspur is currently struggling, remaining winless in their last four matches. The team has lost six out of their last seven games. Recent performances have seen them exit the FA Cup, intensifying scrutiny on manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
Conversely, West Ham United is battling relegation concerns despite their efforts to improve. Their form has left them perilously close to the bottom of the league.
Key Players
Injuries will affect both sides. Tottenham’s Richarlison, Mohammad Kudus, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Brennan Johnson will be unavailable. However, they will have Dominic Solanke and Conor Gallagher available to strengthen their lineup.
West Ham has struggled defensively, conceding the most goals in the league. They have allowed 14 goals in their last six league matches, with a concerning average of 2.1 expected goals against (xGA) in their recent games.
Previous Encounter
In the first match of the season between these two rivals, Tottenham secured a convincing victory, dominating the second half after a goalless first half. Pape Sarr opened the scoring, followed by an own goal from West Ham’s Tomas Soucek. Tottenham’s Lucas Bergvall and Micky van de Ven further solidified their win.
Tactical Considerations
Tottenham’s home form has been disappointing, raising concerns for this matchup. They will likely adopt a 4-3-2-1 formation, focusing on controlling the game against a West Ham side that typically allows for possession.
Expectations for the Match
Given West Ham’s weak defensive statistics, Tottenham will need to capitalize on their scoring opportunities. Players like Gallagher could bring a fresh approach, enhancing their midfield creativity and attacking potential. Spurs must take advantage of their time on the ball against a West Ham team that averages the fifth-lowest possession in the league.
Fans eagerly await whether Tottenham can finally turn around their form in this crucial Premier League clash against West Ham United.