Premier League: West Ham United v Tottenham preview

A look ahead to this weekend’s Premier League fixture at Upton Park

West Ham will be hoping to return to winning ways, with just one victory in their last six games, and there is no better place for it to than against city rivals Tottenham on Monday evening. This poor run of form hasn’t affected their league position, remaining in 11 since last winning at Norwich, but has mounted pressure on Sam Allardyce, who since arriving in East London has had a topsy-turvy relationship with the locals.

Spurs, as a contrast, are on a 10 game unbeaten run – winning their last two games. On their travels its three wins from five. A win can extend or keep their four point gap over North London rivals Arsenal, as both sides battle for a top four finish; also if the result goes their way at the Etihad they could leapfrog Chelsea, which will no doubt please André Villas-Boas, even if he won’t show it.

Kick-off: Monday, 8pm

Past three meetings…

Tottenham 3 (Defoe x2, Bale) West Ham 1 (Carroll), Premier League, November 2012

Tottenham 0 West Ham 0, Premier League, March 2011

West Ham 1 (Piquionne) Tottenham 0, Premier League, September 2010

Classic match…

With no love lost between both set of supporters, the emotional roller coaster that was their meeting in March 2007, is one Tottenham fans have never forgotten. Carlos Tevez, a controversial signing along with Javier Mascherano in the summer of 2006, further cemented his cult status among the West Ham faithful giving the hosts a 2-0 lead, after Mark Noble put the Hammers in front, shortly before half-time with a well struck free-kick.

Spurs would pull a goal back through West Ham youth graduate Jermain Defoe and Teemu Tainio would level things. Alan Curbishley and the majority in attendance thought the game was done and dusted when Bobby Zamora, who was part of the deal that saw Defoe transfer to North London in January 2004, but a late rally from Spurs turned the game on its head. Dimitar Berbatov and Paul Stalteri in the space of a minute turned a 3-2 deficit into a memorable 3-4 victory. 

Stats…

West Ham only failed to score in one of their home games since returning to the Premier League – a goalless draw against Manchester City.

Gareth Bale, possibly on his best run of form in a Spurs shirt, has scored five goals in his last five away games.

Tottenham are hoping to complete their third double over West Ham in the last four seasons both have been in the top flight.

Only Manchester United has picked up more points than Spurs in their last six games.

Odds…

West Ham to win: 3.4
Tottenham to win: 2.2
Draw: 3.25

TV: Sky Sports 1, 7pm