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Plenty on the line for both clubs in crunch London derby

Derby day: Tottenham meet West Ham in the Premier League

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Alex Dakers

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Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

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Tottenham face West Ham today in a massive London derby showdown.

Having been dumped out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle last time out, Spurs boss Thomas Frank will be hoping this weekend’s scoreline more closely resembles that of his side’s previous meeting with the relegation-threatened Hammers earlier this season.

Things have generally gone downhill since then, with scrutiny on the Dane ramping up with each passing game given the Lilywhites have sunk to 14th in the table. They still have a double-digit points cushion over West Ham, though, who could end the week 10 points shy of safety if they fail to win this latest London derby.

Should that happen, there will undoubtedly be even louder calls for Nuno Espirito Santo - already the club’s second manager in 2025/26 - to be sacked. For Frank, failing to win at home again could have similar consequences.

Date, kick-off time and venue

Tottenham vs West Ham is scheduled for a 3pm GMT kick-off today on Saturday, January 17, 2026.

The match will take place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, in north London.

Where to watch Tottenham vs West Ham

TV channel: In the UK, the game will not be televised live as it lands during the 3pm Saturday blackout.

Free highlights: The Sky Sports app and YouTube channel will show highlights from 5.15pm with Match of the Day broadcasting on BBC One at 10.30pm GMT.

Tottenham vs West Ham team news

Frank could bring Conor Gallagher straight into his starting lineup this weekend, with the England midfielder having completed his £34million move to Spurs from Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.

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A versatile and hard-working midfielder, Gallagher could step into Spurs’ XI in several ways, including as a replacement for Rodrigo Bentancur with the Uruguayan having undergone hamstring surgery. There’s a chance Lucas Bergvall is fit and available to challenge Archie Gray and Joao Palhinha in the middle of the park, too.

Richarlison, the club’s most regular No9 this season, went off holding his hamstring in last weekend’s FA Cup loss to Aston Villa and joins the likes of Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison on the sidelines.

Richarlison was subbed in the first half against Villa last Saturday after pulling up clutching his hamstring

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Randal Kolo Muani - who came off the bench to replace him - is one option to lead the line. Another is Dominic Solanke, whose minutes are likely to be managed after months on the injury list with a recurring ankle issue ended with a brief cameo against Villa.

Destiny Udogie returned to the matchday squad in that game an unused substitute, so veteran defender Ben Davies - who started against Villa - or Djed Spence could deputise if the Italian left-back still isn’t ready.

The rest of the backline should, as usual, consist of Pedro Porro on the right and captain Cristian Romero - now back from suspension - plus Micky Van de Ven in central defence.

Mathys Tel, Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert were the attacking midfield trio last time out, and could play those roles again unless Gallagher’s arrival shakes things up in that area of the pitch.

As for West Ham, there is an expectation that midfielder Mateus Fernandes should recover in time to feature against Spurs after missing the FA Cup victory over Queens Park Rangers at the weekend. If he does so, he could partner Tomas Soucek and/or Soungoutou Magassa in the middle of the park.

Argentine striker Taty Castellanos, a new £26million signing from Lazio, netted the extra-time winner in that game, during which Crysencio Summerville scored and was a bright spark, suggesting the Dutch winger should start once more as he hunts for a first league goal of the campaign.

Castellanos will expect to retain his spot too, having led the line in successive matches since his arrival, though Pablo Felipe - recently brought in from Gil Vicente - is another option.

Summerville and Castellanos celebrating against QPR

Bradley Collyer/PA Wire

There’s no doubt about skipper Jarrod Bowen’s place in the XI, most likely on the right of a front three, while Freddie Potts started at No10 against QPR and could do so again if wantaway playmaker Lucas Paqueta is ruled out.

At the back, El Hadji Malick Diouf’s prolonged involvement at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for Senegal means Oliver Scarles could continue to deputise at left-back, unless Kyle Walkers-Peters is shunted over there now that hitherto preferred right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka has returned from AFCON.

Konstantinos Mavropanos will be expected to miss out due to a neck injury that forced him off on a stretcher during the QPR clash, meaning Max Kilman could instead partner Jean-Clair Todibo ahead of goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.

Tottenham vs West Ham prediction

These being two teams with just a win apiece from their last five outings in all competitions indicates how much could rest on the result here for both Frank and Nuno.

Spurs at least won in the Premier League just shortly after Christmas, whereas West Ham are winless in 10 league games. The Hammers have also won just one of their last eight league meetings against Spurs (D3 L4), a 2-1 victory on enemy soil in December 2023, and have been defeated in all six of their Premier League London derbies this season.

Despite winning only four of their most recent 24 Premier League home games (D6 L14), Spurs should have enough quality in their squad - particularly with the arrival of Gallagher helping boost Frank’s injury-hit midfield, and the return of skipper Romero to the backline - to ensure a third home victory of the campaign happens here.

It may not be by quite the same margin as September’s 3-0 rout at the London Stadium, though, given their opponents’ recent attacking reinforcements and the fact that West Ham played most of the second half of that game with 10 men.

Tottenham to win, 2-1.

Head to head (h2h) history and results

Tottenham wins: 103

West Ham wins: 67

Draws: 56

Tottenham vs West Ham match odds

Tottenham to win: 8/11

West Ham to win: 15/4

Draw: 29/10

Odds via Betfair (subject to change).

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A new signing and a new assistant, but Spurs pressure remains ahead of two must-win games

Big week: Thomas Frank

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Sam Tabuteau

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Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

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It is hard to know quite how much time Thomas Frank has to turn around Tottenham’s fortunes.

Results under Frank - Spurs have won two of their last 12 league games - suggest that his future could hinge on beating West Ham this weekend.

While supporter frustration is set to reach fever pitch, with a planned protest to take place ahead of Saturday’s London derby.

The mood around the club, though, paints a different picture, with the arrivals of Conor Gallagher, assistant coach John Heitinga, and head of football operations Rafi Moersen this week points to the Dane being heavily backed behind the scenes.

Frank remains under pressure, and a damaging result against lowly West Ham would no doubt force some uncomfortable conversations within the club’s hierarchy.

In his pre-match press conference on Thursday, it was clear Frank felt he was being supported in his vision for long-term stability at the club.

“Tottenham have so much to offer. Some of the appointments we have done on the leadership, with Rafi coming in as well, I think it’s very positive of what kind of direction we want to go in,” Frank said.

“Also to sign John Heitinga, who I think is a very skilful coach, that he believes in the project and the vision from me, from the club, in a moment where, from the outside doesn’t look as smooth but from the inside looks a little bit more positive.”

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Frank was heavily involved in the process to bring Heitinga to the club, and was telling he was pictured with the former Ajax manager upon his announcement, while also providing quotes to explain Heitinga’s role within his backroom setup.

This was not just a club appointment, but a decision made with Frank’s backing.

There remains an immediate pressure for results to improve, starting against a West Ham side seven points adrift of safety and without a win away from home since August, but there also appears to be an understanding that sacking Frank mid-season does not serve to benefit the club long-term.

The £34.7million signing of Gallagher has provided a welcome boost for Spurs, who are grappling with an ever-increasing injury list, and the England midfielder looks set to come straight into the starting line-up in place of Rodrigo Bentancur, who underwent hamstring surgery this week.

Conor Gallagher has joined in a deal worth £34.7m

Tottenham Hotspur

A leader of a team, which Frank has openly admitted lacks leadership, Gallagher will be expected to drive Spurs’ disjointed press. They currently rank bottom of the Premier League for shot-ending high turnovers.

Much like their press, Spurs’ performances in recent weeks have lacked fluency, with Frank’s side starting slowly before chasing the game in the second half. Frank needs balance and will hope that Gallagher can provide it.

As outside pressure continues to build, Frank believes the club are beginning to build towards the structure and culture he had envisioned when he took charge in June.

Saturday will give us the clearest indication of how much pressure Frank is truly under, with games against West Ham and Burnley next weekend potentially must-win for the under-fire boss.

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There are problems all over the pitch for Spurs, who are 14th in the Premier League table, but they have not been helped by the number of long-term injuries suffered in attack.

Frank admits he and his coaching team, who added John Heitinga to their ranks on Thursday, have looked at the data, particularly deep runs, to try to assess their issues going forward.

In Gallagher, though, Frank believes he has a player who can carry the goalscoring burden in the absence of Richarlison and Solanke, who is still working his way back to full fitness.

“I think he's very good to get on the end of chances, and also I think that to have a midfielder who can add goals is a huge quality because of course you always say you need a striker that scores 20 plus goals, but in reality you just need enough goals in the team,” Frank said in his pre-match press conference on Thursday.

“These days, it can be a winger that is the top scorer, so to have a midfielder that I think can add a good amount of goals in a full season is a huge quality, and especially his ability to arrive in and around the box, whether we are banking teams in or from high-pressure situations. He’s very good at that, and I think he’s a clever finisher.”

In a season of struggle, the development of midfielders Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall has been a rare bright spot for supporters - the pair have started 18 league games between them.

Gallagher’s arrival has raised concerns that they could see their minutes limited, but Frank, who bemoaned his side’s lack of options in midfield last weekend, says the club’s decision to move swiftly to bring the former Chelsea man back to the capital was taken in light of Rodrigo Bentancur’s hamstring injury.

"I think any club you need enough competition and quality,” he continued. “Right now, it is like we swapped Rodri (Bentancur) for Gallagher, and before that, both Lucas and Archie played a lot of minutes.

“They are still in a great development (stage), and I think they are doing a lot of things right. There are not many 19-year-olds playing central midfield in the Premier League, so that talks a lot about their quality and also a little bit about how rare it is.”

Sport | Football

Transfer news LIVE! Arsenal eye Gordon; new Chelsea targets; Man Utd get Baleba boost; Liverpool, Spurs latest

January window heating up at the halfway stage

Transfer rumours: Marcos Senesi, Anthony Gordon and Carlos Baleba

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George Flood

Transfer news LIVE!

The January window looks set to kick up a notch as we approach the final weeks, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United all looking to make new signings. Arsenal are reported to want Newcastle star Anthony Gordon, with Nico Williams also back on their radar amid growing links to the likes of Kenan Yildiz, Tino Livramento, Breno Bidon and Igor Tyjon, plus the in-demand Marc Guehi.

Chelsea are stepping up their move for a new defender to kick-start the Liam Rosenior era, with Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi said to have been discussed, along with rumoured Arsenal target Jeremy Jacquet, Jacobo Ramon and Charlie Cresswell. Manchester United are believed to be increasingly confident over a deal for Carlos Baleba and also have Murillo in their sights, while Bruno Fernandes looks set to see out the season at Old Trafford.

United could battle Tottenham for Michael Carrick favourite Hayden Hackney, with Spurs poised to announce Souza’s arrival today after welcoming Conor Gallagher. Manchester City may make a huge offer for Guehi as Crystal Palace face Juventus interest in Jean-Philippe Mateta and West Ham desperately try to keep Lucas Paqueta away from Flamengo. Follow the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip live below!

Latest transfer news headlines

Arsenal make contact over Breno Bidon deal

Arsenal have made contact over a move for Breno Bidon, reports claim.

The Gunners have been frequently linked with the Brazilian midfielder, 20, during the early stages of the January transfer window.

TNT Sports in Brazil say that Arsenal have approached Corinthians with an enquiry about Bidon, but are yet to table a formal offer.

They add that Flamengo - in hot pursuit of West Ham star Lucas Paqueta - have also made contact over the player, who has interest from Italy and Portugal.

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Arsenal get new Kenan Yildiz update

Arsenal may wind up disappointed in their rumoured pursuit of Kenan Yildiz.

The Gunners are one of several Premier League clubs linked with a move for the Juventus and Turkey winger in January, joining the likes of Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester United and Liverpool.

However, TEAMtalk report that Yildiz, 20, is expected to finally sign his long-awaited new contract in Turin - though potentially not until after the transfer window has closed.

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Chelsea make approaches for Jacquet and Ramon

The new Chelsea defender links continue to gather pace this morning.

We’ve already heard that Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi is a target that the Blues have already discussed as they accelerate plans to sign a centre-back, with former Leeds man Charlie Cresswell - now of Toulouse - also on their radar.

The Daily Mail now also report that Chelsea have checked in on Rennes’ Jeremy Jacquet and Jacobo Ramon at Como.

Arsenal have also been linked plenty with Jacquet of late, while Liverpool are said to be chasing Ramon - a player for whom Real Madrid retain a buy-back clause and hefty sell-on fee, it should be noted.

AFP via Getty Images

Donyell Malen leaves Aston Villa for Roma

A done deal to bring you early on this Friday morning.

Dutch forward Donyell Malen has left Aston Villa for Roma, for what the former say is an undisclosed fee.

However, the Serie A giants describe it as an initial loan deal that includes an option to buy in the summer.

It had been reported that Roma were paying an initial £2m loan fee for Malen with a £25m buy clause that is mandatory, rather than optional.

Tottenham plot move for Hayden Hackney

Having officially signed Conor Gallagher on Wednesday, Tottenham are expected to announce the arrival of teenage Brazilian left-back Souza from Santos in a £13m deal at some stage today.

Spurs will then move onto another targets amid a busy January window as they attempt to ease the pressure on under-fire head coach Thomas Frank.

According to TEAMtalk, Tottenham are interested in a move for highly-rated Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney.

However, it is said that Michael Carrick is also interested in reunion with his former player at Manchester United, while Fulham and Everton have also been linked.

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Man Utd eye Murillo as Harry Maguire replacement

Manchester United are also now being linked with a move for Murillo.

The Brazilian centre-back has impressed at Nottingham Forest and was previously said to be on the respective transfer radars of Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona, among others.

However, according to the Daily Mail, United are now considering a swoop for Murillo as they prepare to replace Harry Maguire in the summer.

They claim that the 23-year-old is open to leaving the City Ground despite only signing a new long-term contract 12 months ago.

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Man Utd confident over Carlos Baleba deal

Good news for Manchester United on the Carlos Baleba front, it would appear.

The Brighton and Cameroon star is known to feature prominently on the transfer shortlist at Old Trafford, along with the likes of England duo Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton as they look to overhaul their midfield.

According to The Sun, United are increasingly confident of securing a summer deal for Baleba, who recently returned from the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The 22-year-old plays alongside current Red Devils star Bryan Mbeumo at international level.

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Chelsea eye Marcos Senesi as defender search steps up

Chelsea want to make a new defender the first signing of the Liam Rosenior era at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues have yet to make any additions to their squad this month, though the new head coach reiterated yesterday that incomings were possible if the right opportunities arise.

The Telegraph report that Chelsea are now bringing forward initial summer plans to recruit a new centre-back.

talkSPORT claim that the club are keeping tabs on the likes of Jeremy Jacquet at Rennes - a rumoured Arsenal target - plus Como’s Jacobo Ramon and Toulouse defender Charlie Cresswell, formerly of Leeds.

They also report that Chelsea have previously discussed Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi.

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Arsenal want Anthony Gordon

Arsenal look to have rekindled their interest in Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon, according to reports.

Links between the Gunners and the England international have resurfaced in the last 24 hours or so as Mikel Arteta looks to further strengthen his formidable attacking options in north London.

Arsenal were mentioned in connection with Gordon last summer, having been said to have expressed an interest along with the likes of Spain star Nico Williams.

Surely any pursuit though would take place at the end of the season.

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Juventus calm over Yildiz new contract delay

Juventus are confident that Kenan Yildiz will snub a move to the Premier League this month and sign a new contract.

There had been expectations in Turin that a new agreement would be completed by the end of 2025, with the appointment of sporting director Marco Ottolini viewed as a key factor in progressing talks.

Tottenham, Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea are all understood to be monitoring the situation, with Spurs in particular keen on making a high-profile addition.

But Juventus insist there is no major issue in discussions and that Yildiz is not available for transfer.

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Spurs have named, on average, the third-youngest starting formation of any team in the Premier League this season, with 25-year-old Gallagher’s arrival in keeping with the club’s philosophy of signing younger talent.

Rodrigo Bentancur’s hamstring injury, which is set to sideline him for at least three months, means there is pressure on Gallagher to hit the ground running.

After talking with Gallagher about the club’s vision and his own motivations for coming back to the Premier League, Frank, though, has no doubts that the Epsom-born midfielder will fit seamlessly into the side.

“I think what he brings in terms of abilities, first and foremost, he's a very good player, great experience in the Premier League, also in La Liga, captain of two teams,” Frank said in his pre-match press conference on Thursday.

“So, that character, that leadership, that experience, and still young, 25, with plenty of development to reach, but coming in on a good level, bringing his pressing abilities, his directness, scoring goals, but also being able to find good positions on the pitch, is exactly what we need.”

He added: “I think Conor has a lot of good offensive abilities, his ability to arrive in the box and he's a clever finisher. His skill set in the final third is good in terms of arriving in the right positions.”

The former Chelsea trainee completed his £34.7million move from Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, and is expected to come straight into the starting line-up against West Ham this weekend.

Gallagher was identified by sporting director Johan Lange as someone who could replace Bentancur, but although he was not Frank’s suggestion, the Dane quickly agreed to the deal after conversations with the versatile midfielder.

“I spoke to him about the project and the club and what we are aiming for and all of that suited him,” Frank said, adding: “Of course, one thing (that appealed to him) is the Premier League, secondly is the project and the opportunity here, the role he could get in the team.

“I think first and foremost as a player that can help the team with his abilities, the character and the culture, I think the way he is as well in terms of pushing the group every single day, training matches. I think you can see he is very exciting and there is some very exciting potential in this club.”

However, with just four league starts to his name this season, Gallagher was keen to move back to England to improve his chances of making Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad.

Frank, though, is confident that Gallagher’s experience in Madrid has improved him both as a player and a person and says he expects him to make an immediate impact in north London.

“I think every experience makes us better in a way, either clearly impact or reflection over it and learn from the experience.

“Quite a few of the conversations I had with Conor, he really liked the experience at Atletico, he really liked working with Simeone, he really liked everything about it (but) of course, we were privileged that he would like another chance and it was possible.

“I think that experience added to how he ended his last year in Chelsea, I think he was at times unplayable and I think he was a fantastic player for Chelsea that season.

“So, that's the Conor Gallagher we are looking at. That's the Conor Gallagher I'm thinking can step straight into this team and help us straight away.”

Tottenham are juggling yet another huge injury blow as they prepare to face West Ham in the Premier League.

Head coach Thomas Frank remains under pressure to deliver results, and will look at the visit of bottom-of-the-table Hammers to get a much-needed win on the board.

But Spurs will be without Richarlison for the next seven weeks due to a hamstring injury.

Richarlison was withdrawn half an hour into Spurs’ 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa in the FA Cup last weekend, and joins Mohammed Kudus, Rodrigo Bentancur, Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison on the sidelines.

In more positive news, new signing Conor Gallagher could come straight into the starting line-up just days after arriving in a deal worth £34.7million move from Atletico Madrid.

Spurs, who have won just two of their last 12 league games, moved quickly to sign Gallagher, with injuries piling up.

Gallagher could come straight in for Bentancur at the heart of midfield, and Frank has also been boosted by the returns of Dominic Solanke and Destiny Udogie.

Solanke, who has been out since August with a recurring ankle injury, came off the bench as Spurs crashed out of the FA Cup at home to Aston Villa last weekend.

Udogie was also named on the bench for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury at the start of December.

The Italian is set to compete with 19-year-old Brazilian left back Souza for minutes, with Spurs close to completing a £13million move for the Santos defender.

Yves Bissouma has returned to the club and is available for selection after Mali’s elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Moersen becomes the latest senior appointment at Spurs following several changes behind the scenes including the departure of Daniel Levy.

A statement via the Tottenham website reads: “Tottenham Hotspur is pleased to announce the appointment of Carlos Raphael Moersen as Director of Football Operations, a newly created role as part of the club’s approach to build a modern, high-performance football structure to drive long-term success.

“Rafi will lead our football administration, player care, and training ground operations, and join the Club’s Executive Leadership Team. A key part of his role will be overseeing women’s football, where we will continue to drive a renewed focus and ambition for Tottenham Hotspur Women.”

In ten years with the City Football Group (CFG), Moersen has risen up the ranks and is highly regarded.

Moersen’s previous role as Manchester City executive saw him negotiate player contracts, while he has also stepped up to support the director of football with negotiations.

Spurs majority shareholders the Lewis Family have been keen to continue to overhaul operations at Spurs, with Moersen the latest appointment.

Among the other changes at Spurs, Vinai Venkatesham was appointed CEO in April 2024 and long-serving executive director Donna-Maria Cullen stepped down in June.

Head of administration Rebecca Caplehorn will also depart Spurs around the same time as Paratici.

Moersen graduated from George Washington University and worked for DC United before joining CFG club New York City FC in 2015.

When all around you appears to be crumbling and signs of improvement are in short supply, what do you cling to? Vinai Venkatesham, if you are Thomas Frank.

“He knows how unfortunately it can take time to get up to where good should look like,” Frank said. “That’s definitely beneficial because also he understands the journey we’re on.”

Nor, from memory, did Venkatesham, below, have to ponder why exactly Arteta strolled onto the pitch before a match drinking an espresso from a cup emblazoned with Tottenham branding.

Barely six months on from the euphoria of the Europa League success, Tottenham have descended into toxic turmoil. Supporters will protest against the board on Saturday, the first such action taken since Daniel Levy’s exit.

Venkatesham’s boardroom role in helping transform the culture at Arsenal on and off the pitch was incredibly impressive. Doing something similar on the other side of north London would undoubtedly be his greatest achievement yet.

The pair have a close relationship, speaking at least every other day, and Venkatesham was key to the recruitment process that looked at more than 30 candidates before deciding on Frank.

Despite the rising temperature in the stands, Spurs’ owners, the Lewis family, have no plans to become more vocal or hands-on. The day-to-day running of the club will be left to the boardroom structure led by Venkatesham, who will have the decisive say on Frank.

Venkatesham remains keen to take a long-term view on the club’s progress and Frank will be given every chance to succeed. The club believe this job would be tough for anyone and did not expect deep-rooted issues to be fixed overnight. All the noise coming out of Spurs is that Frank, left, is not in immediate jeopardy.

The squad are not responding to his tactics for sustained periods. If they are, and Frank’s tactics are successfully being implemented, that is even more concerning.

Part of the problem is also Frank struggling to sell his vision. The charismatic figure seen at Brentford now resembles someone operating with the weight of the world on their shoulders.

Postecoglou was the master of talking up Spurs with the media. Frank, on the other hand, said in December: “No problem with big expectation if you have also earned the right to really compete for those big expectations, which I think it’s fair to say we haven’t done.”

Frank has regularly pointed to the “reality” of the club finishing 17th last season and warned there is no “quick fix”. The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust (THST) last week accused him of overseeing a “dramatic fall in ambition”.

When Aston Villa fans chanted “you’re getting sacked in the morning” towards Frank on Saturday, pockets of the South Stand joined in. For much of the season, Spurs have been waiting for a result that gives the Frank era its lift-off. Now the sense is more of waiting for a result that finishes it off.

There is sympathy towards Frank behind the scenes at Spurs. It is accepted that the squad is not ready to match the club’s ambitions, even if it was hoped results would be better.

Too much emphasis has been placed on signings with potential and the result has been a squad ill-equipped for the present. This is a brittle team who lose their way when faced with setbacks. The squad have felt the need to huddle and walk off together at half-time in matches, often to a chorus of boos, but that has only added to an “us against them” mentality with the fans.

Frank is keen to bring in more experience and leadership. Romero was deemed the best of the captaincy options available but his impetuous streak remains. The centre-back has picked up seven bookings and a red card this season.

“They only show up when things are going well to tell a few lies,” he initially said, before editing those final five words out. Romero was not fined and instead had a “good conversation” with Frank and sporting director Johan Lange. This seemed like Spurs not feeling in a strong enough position to take on Romero.

However, Van de Ven and Djed Spence both blanked Frank on the pitch this season and there were no consequences. It is one thing to leave out a midfielder you want to sell. It is another to make a stand against star players, including your captain.

Venkatesham was at Arsenal when Arteta stripped Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of the captaincy. That set the standards and sent a clear message. A similar statement is difficult at Spurs with so much doubt over Frank’s position, but a better culture rests on the head coach being the dominant figure in the dressing room.

For all the fan frustration towards Frank, Saturday’s protest is focused primarily on the board. Supporters’ group Change for Tottenham have called for “serious investment” and insisted that “promises are kept” on the club’s strategy.

After last season’s Europa League win, Levy said that was not enough and Spurs should be pushing for the Premier League title. His removal in September was due to a desire for “more wins, more often”, a source close to the Lewis family told Standard Sport.

A £13million move for Souza, a 19-year-old left back from Santos, will be completed and Spurs have signed Conor Gallagher for around £35m, but he is not the creative passer the midfield needs.

Club insiders speak of the difficulty of January moves. While a winger remains on the wishlist, sources suggest it would be more realistic to judge the owners’ ambitions in terms of transfer business after the summer window.

That is a long way off. This season is close to a write-off, even if the squad is significantly strengthened. Frank has described Venkatesham as “one of the best communicators I have ever met” and that is required more than ever.

Frank is not proving to be the right fit for the club; supporters are losing patience with the head coach and the hierarchy; and the Lewis family have a long way to go to show this is the new era promised. How much longer this is Frank’s mess to help solve is uncertain but it will remain Venkatesham’s. Disconnect at almost every level of the club persists and answers are his to find.

There is plenty on the line for both clubs in this London derby

Derby day: Tottenham vs West Ham

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Alex Dakers

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Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

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Tottenham host West Ham in the Premier League on Saturday, in what could prove to be a pivotal game for two managers under mounting pressure.

Having been dumped out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle last time out, Spurs boss Thomas Frank will be hoping this weekend’s scoreline more closely resembles that of his side’s previous meeting with the relegation-threatened Hammers earlier this season.

Things have generally gone downhill since then, with scrutiny on the Dane ramping up with each passing game given the Lilywhites have sunk to 14th in the table. They still have a double-digit points cushion over West Ham, though, who could end the week 10 points shy of safety if they fail to win this latest London derby.

Should that happen, there will undoubtedly be even louder calls for Nuno Espirito Santo - already the club’s second manager in 2025/26 - to be sacked. For Frank, failing to win at home again could have similar consequences.

Date, kick-off time and venue

Tottenham vs West Ham is scheduled for a 3pm GMT kick-off on Saturday, January 17, 2026.

The match will take place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, in north London.

Where to watch Tottenham vs West Ham

TV channel: In the UK, the game will not be televised live as it lands during the 3pm Saturday blackout.

Free highlights: The Sky Sports app and YouTube channel will show highlights from 5.15pm with Match of the Day broadcasting on BBC One at 10.30pm GMT.

Tottenham vs West Ham team news

Frank could bring Conor Gallagher straight into his starting line-up this weekend, with the England midfielder having completed his £34million move to Spurs from Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.

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A versatile and hard-working midfielder, Gallagher could step into Spurs’ XI in several ways, including as a replacement for Rodrigo Bentancur with the Uruguayan having undergone hamstring surgery. There’s a chance Lucas Bergvall is fit and available to challenge Archie Gray and Joao Palhinha in the middle of the park, too.

Richarlison, the club’s most regular No9 this season, went off holding his hamstring in last weekend’s FA Cup loss to Aston Villa and could join the likes of Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison on the sidelines.

Richarlison was subbed in the first half against Villa last Saturday after pulling up clutching his hamstring

Getty Images

The extent of the Brazilian’s latest injury remains unknown ahead of Frank’s pre-match press conference, but if he misses out then Randal Kolo Muani - who came off the bench to replace him - is one option to lead the line. Another is Dominic Solanke, whose minutes are likely to be managed after months on the injury list with a recurring ankle issue ended with a brief cameo against Villa.

Destiny Udogie returned to the matchday squad in that game an unused substitute, so veteran defender Ben Davies - who started against Villa - or Djed Spence could deputise if the Italian left-back still isn’t ready. Santos defender Souza is expected to undergo his Spurs medical on Thursday, meanwhile.

The rest of the backline should, as usual, consist of Pedro Porro on the right and captain Cristian Romero - now back from suspension - plus Micky Van de Ven in central defence.

Mathys Tel, Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert were the attacking midfield trio last time out, and could play those roles again unless Gallagher’s arrival shakes things up in that area of the pitch.

As for West Ham, there is an expectation that midfielder Mateus Fernandes should recover in time to feature against Spurs after missing the FA Cup victory over Queens Park Rangers at the weekend. If he does so, he could partner Tomas Soucek and/or Soungoutou Magassa in the middle of the park.

Argentine striker Taty Castellanos, a new £26million signing from Lazio, netted the extra-time winner in that game, during which Crysencio Summerville scored and was a bright spark, suggesting the Dutch winger should start once more as he hunts for a first league goal of the campaign.

Castellanos will expect to retain his spot too, having led the line in successive matches since his arrival, though Pablo Felipe - recently brought in from Gil Vicente - is another option.

Summerville and Castellanos celebrating against QPR

Bradley Collyer/PA Wire

There’s no doubt about skipper Jarrod Bowen’s place in the XI, most likely on the right of a front three, while Freddie Potts started at No10 against QPR and could do so again if wantaway playmaker Lucas Paqueta is ruled out.

At the back, El Hadji Malick Diouf’s prolonged involvement at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for Senegal means Oliver Scarles could continue to deputise at left-back, unless Kyle Walkers-Peters is shunted over there now that hitherto preferred right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka has returned from AFCON.

Konstantinos Mavropanos will be expected to miss out due to a neck injury that forced him off on a stretcher during the QPR clash, meaning Max Kilman could instead partner Jean-Clair Todibo ahead of goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.

Tottenham vs West Ham prediction

These being two teams with just a win apiece from their last five outings in all competitions indicates how much could rest on the result here for both Frank and Nuno.

Spurs at least won in the Premier League just shortly after Christmas, whereas West Ham are winless in 10 league games. The Hammers have also won just one of their last eight league meetings against Spurs (D3 L4), a 2-1 victory on enemy soil in December 2023, and have been defeated in all six of their Premier League London derbies this season.

Despite winning only four of their most recent 24 Premier League home games (D6 L14), Spurs should have enough quality in their squad - particularly with the arrival of Gallagher helping boost Frank’s injury-hit midfield, and the return of skipper Romero to the backline - to ensure a third home victory of the campaign happens here.

It may not be by quite the same margin as September’s 3-0 rout at the London Stadium, though, given their opponents’ recent attacking reinforcements and the fact that West Ham played most of the second half of that game with 10 men.

Tottenham to win, 2-1.

Head to head (h2h) history and results

Tottenham wins: 103

West Ham wins: 67

Draws: 56

Tottenham vs West Ham match odds

Tottenham to win: 8/13

West Ham to win: 16/5

Draw: 23/10

Odds via Betfair (subject to change).