The Premier League returns to North London today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, for a high-stakes London Derby as Tottenham Hotspur hosts West Ham United. Kick-off is scheduled for 15:00 GMT at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
In a match already being labeled by some sections of the media as "El Sackico," both Thomas Frank and Nuno Espírito Santo find themselves under immense pressure. For Tottenham, the objective is to halt a sliding season that has seen them drop to 14th in the table. For West Ham, currently languishing in 18th place, the priority is survival as they sit seven points adrift of safety.
Match Information
| Feature | Details |
| Competition | Premier League (Matchday 22) |
| Date | Saturday, January 17, 2026 |
| Kick-off | 15:00 GMT |
| Venue | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium |
| Referee | Jarred Gillett |
Tottenham Hotspur: The Search for Stability
Thomas Frank’s tenure at Tottenham has been defined by a grueling injury list and inconsistent home form. Spurs enter this weekend with only two wins in their last 13 matches across all competitions. A recent 2–1 exit from the FA Cup at the hands of Aston Villa has only intensified the scrutiny on Frank, who was appointed as Ange Postecoglou’s successor in the summer of 2025.
Despite the noise, the Tottenham board has shown signs of backing their manager this week. The high-profile £34.7 million signing of Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid is a clear statement of intent. Gallagher, who is expected to make his debut today, brings much-needed energy and leadership to a midfield that has been hollowed out by long-term absences.
Team News and Selection:
Confirmed Out: Spurs are missing a core of creative talent. James Maddison (knee), Dejan Kulusevski (knee), and Rodrigo Bentancur (hamstring) are all sidelined. Forward Richarlison is also out for up to seven weeks.
Returns: In a major boost, Cristian Romero returns from suspension. Dominic Solanke and Destiny Udogie are also nearing full fitness and are expected to feature.
AFCON: Pape Matar Sarr remains away with Senegal, though Yves Bissouma has returned to the squad.
West Ham United: A Fight for Survival
West Ham’s 14-year stay in the Premier League is under significant threat. Nuno Espírito Santo’s side has failed to win any of their last ten league matches, a run that has seen them sink into the relegation zone. The Hammers have been defensively fragile, conceding more goals than any other side in the bottom half of the table.
In a desperate bid to find a tactical edge, West Ham recently appointed veteran Spanish coach Paco Jémez to Nuno’s backroom staff. Jémez is known for a bold, attacking philosophy, and the hierarchy hopes his influence—combined with over £50 million in January spending—can spark a turnaround.
Team News and Selection:
Injury Concerns: The creative burden remains uncertain as Lucas Paquetá battles a back condition. Konstantinos Mavropanos (neck) and Lukasz Fabianski (back) are confirmed absentees.
New Arrivals: Striker Taty Castellanos, who scored the winner in the FA Cup against QPR last week, is expected to lead the line. Pablo Felipe could also make an appearance.
AFCON: El Hadji Malick Diouf is still unavailable as he prepares for the AFCON final.
Tactical Analysis and Head-to-Head
Historically, Tottenham has held the upper hand in this fixture, winning the reverse encounter 3–0 at the London Stadium in September. However, Spurs' home record this season is the worst in their modern history, having won just two of their ten matches at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Tactically, we expect Thomas Frank to utilize a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Conor Gallagher playing a box-to-box role to disrupt West Ham's buildup. West Ham will likely sit in a compact mid-block and rely on the pace of Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville on the counter-attack to exploit the space behind Tottenham's high line.
Predicted Lineups
Tottenham Hotspur (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper: Vicario
Defense: Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie
Midfield: Palhinha, Gallagher; Odobert, Simons, Tel
Attack: Kolo Muani
West Ham United (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper: Areola
Defense: Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Scarles
Midfield: Magassa, Souček; Bowen, Pablo Felipe, Summerville
Attack: Castellanos
Match Prediction
This is a game defined by desperation. While West Ham’s defensive record is poor, Tottenham’s inability to kill off games at home has been their Achilles' heel. The introduction of Conor Gallagher may provide the emotional and tactical spark Tottenham needs to navigate a tense afternoon.
Final Score Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2–1 West Ham United
