Top-flight English football resumes after the break with a potentially tasty encounter between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United, in Saturday’s early kick off.
Lilywhites’ gave up the ship horribly in a 3-2 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion before the break, but the Irons had redeemed themselves some Pride by thrashing Ipswich Town 4-1.
It was 6-0 up next on the aggregated list and to add the quatre-epingle at the Amex Stadium last weekend; Brennan Johnson and James Maddison were leading the charge for the Lilywhites against the Seagulls of Fabian Hurzeler when everything took a turn for the worse.
However, Yankuba Minteh’s equalizer just three minutes into the second half restored some hope to the Seagulls…and it was more than hope when Georginio Rutter put Brighton through the lead again before this former Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck gifted Gooners around the land with a comedy antigol.
Pre and post-match composure has been something of a trademark of the Age Postecoglou yet in his post-match press conference rehearsal the Australian was in no way drawing inspiration from his predecessor Antonio Conte.
Postecoglou conceded that the South Coast disaster was the worst result since he took over the managerial position of Tottenham who currently enjoy the delightful feelers of getting to the magical touch again albeit occupying the fifteenth rank in the premier league list of 2024-25; taking out the threes out of seven premier league matches.
In addition, Spurs in their last seven top-flight home matches have won one and lost the next one and though Tottenham spanking Brentford 3-1 in their last home Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, the ouija board will send shivers down the spine of fans come Saturday.
West Ham ironically ended a run of defeats with a decisive beating of Ipswich, whose defense was pierced by Michail Antonio after only 48 seconds, while Tottenham suffered an ugly defeat following a run of victories two weeks prior.
A few seconds later, Liam Delap cancelled out the Hammers' first-ever Premier League goal. However, the Tractor Boys talisman had merely set off a West Ham offensive, as Mohammed Kudus, Jarrod Bowen, and Lucas Paqueta led the Irons to their first top-flight victory since late August.
As his previously underperforming team ended a humiliating five-game winless streak across all tournaments to move up to 12th in the rankings, just two points behind upcoming opponents Tottenham, there should have been no more relieved man inside the London Stadium at the final whistle than Julen Lopetegui.
Even though West Ham has received a lot of criticism this season, the Irons are unbeaten in their previous three away Premier League games, winning one and drawing two of them against Brentford, Fulham, and Crystal Palace, all of which are against other clubs from the capital.
West Ham also pulled off a 2-1 comeback victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in December 2023, although the last time the Hammers defeated Spurs in back-to-back away league games, England won the World Cup between the victories.
West Ham also pulled off a 2-1 comeback victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in December 2023, although the last time the Hammers defeated Spurs in back-to-back away league games, England won the World Cup between the victories.
Spurs supporters are anxious to find out if skipper Son Heung-min can recover from a thigh injury in time for West Ham's visit. The South Korean captain was called up to the team for their World Cup 2026 qualifiers before withdrawing.
Wilson Odobert (hamstring) is still out, but Son is one of three possibilities for the London derby along with Richarlison and Lucas Bergvall, who would not have been anticipated to start on Saturday either due to a minor calf injury sustained while playing for Sweden.
Spurs should start with an almost similar lineup despite their terrible second half at the Amex two weeks ago, however Timo Werner will most likely start if Son receives the all-clear from the medical staff.
Attack is also West Ham's only area of concern for selection, as summer acquisition Niclas Fullkrug is currently dealing with an Achilles injury and missed Germany's international campaign, making him questionable for this weekend as well.
But as Antonio tries to haunt Tottenham again, Lopetegui will undoubtedly be reluctant to change a successful recipe. The Jamaican international has scored six goals against Spurs, which is his greatest record against a single opponent.
Bowen helped Antonio score in the opening minute against Ipswich, becoming the first West Ham player to have five shots and create five opportunities in a Premier League game since Antonio in March 2021 against Arsenal, Spurs' North London rivals.
