Tottenham v West Ham: Line-ups, stats and preview for crunch London derby

Match Preview for Tottenham v West Ham

Thomas Frank is not oblivious to the pressure he is under but remains convinced his Tottenham side are making progress.

The results would suggest otherwise with one win in six league games and an FA Cup exit at the hands of Aston Villa but Frank insists there is reason for optimism behind the scenes.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s crunch London derby against struggling West Ham, he said: “I only focus on what I can affect. There is a lot of noise. I know because I’ve been told and I’m not stupid, we want more good results but I focus on what I can see is actually working and we have to do more of that.

“I am very aware how the football world works. I know that we haven’t got enough of the results we want. I can see the small steps we are constantly doing and I refer to the last six games as more positive performances – not perfect.

“There is a culture that is getting a little bit stronger and in football, sometimes momentum can change just like that. I can see small signs. The culture. The training. Thursday was very intense and focused. We are working very hard on the offensive part of our game. It is the offensive part we need to do better and that is what we are working hard on.”

Spurs will have Conor Gallagher available following his move from Atletico Madrid. The England international appears a good fit for a midfield that lacks energy, particularly with Pape Matar Sarr still at the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal.

Frank added: “I think it is a top signing. I can’t praise the ownership enough for doing it and getting it over the line quick.

“I think what he brings in terms of ability first and foremost is, he is a very good player with great experience in the Premier League and La Liga. He has captained two teams so that character, leadership and experience – plus he’s still young with plenty of development to reach but coming in at a good level.

“His pressing abilities, directness, scoring goals but also being able to find good positions on the pitch is exactly what we need.”

Spurs will never have a better chance of turning things round than against a West Ham team that have not won a league game since November 8 and required extra-time to see off Championship outfit QPR last weekend.

The Hammers are seven points from safety and seemingly lacking the quality to drag themselves out of danger.

Even though Tottenham have won just two league games at home this season, Nuno Espirito Santo is expecting a difficult game.

He said: “They are a good team with talented players. It is always a tough place to go and they are a rival. It is a London derby. There is a lot of football to be played but we have to realise that each game is very important for us. It is very, very important for us.”

Team News for Tottenham v West Ham

Spurs were hit by some more injury problems this week with forward Richarlison ruled out for seven weeks. He joins Mohammed Kudus and Rodrigo Bentancur on the sidelines.

Lucas Bergvall is fit while Dominic Solanke and Destiny Udogie will be available from the bench.

West Ham will hope to have Konstantinos Mavropanos, Mateus Fernandes and Lucas Paqueta in the squad, although the latter has expressed a desire to rejoin Flamengo.

Predicted line-ups for Tottenham v West Ham

Tottenham: Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Palhinha, Gallagher, Odobert, Simons, Tel; Kolo Muani

West Ham: Areola; Walker-Peters, Todibo, Kilman, Wan-Bissaka; Soucek, Fernandes, Bowen, Paqueta, Summerville; Castellanos

How to watch Tottenham v West Ham: TV and online streams

Tottenham versus West Ham kicks off tomorrow at 3pm UK time. Due to blackout rules in the UK, it is not available to watch on TV or via an online stream.

If you don’t live in the UK, click HERE, to discover which station may be showing the game in your region.

Stats for Tottenham v West Ham

• Following their 3-0 win at the London Stadium in September, Tottenham are looking to complete the league double over West Ham for the first time since 2019-20
• West Ham have won just one of their last eight league games against Spurs (D3 L4)
• West Ham have lost all six of their Premier League London derbies this season
• Tottenham have won just four of their last 24 Premier League home games (D6 L14)