West Ham v Spurs: line-ups confirmed for Jose Mourinho debut
Jose Mourinho will take charge of Tottenham Hotspur for the first time this weekend against West Ham United.
In a whirlwind week, Daniel Levy dispensed of Mauricio Pochettino, much to the displeasure of the Spurs fanbase, and immediately replaced him with the controversial Portuguese.
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West Ham have failed to clinch three points in any of the six league outings following their 2-0 triumph over Manchester United at the back end of September and following recent events in London, Manuel Pellegrini might well be sweating of his own job security.
Read on for West Ham vs Spurs preview, predictions, TV info, team news and more.
When is West Ham vs Spurs and where can I watch live?
Competition: Premier League
Venue: London Stadium
Date: Saturday, 23 November 2019
Kick-off: 12:30 PM (UK time)
TV coverage (UK): BT Sport 2
Last five meetings: West Ham vs Spurs
27 Apr 2019: Spurs 0-1 West Ham (Premier League)
31 Oct 2018: West Ham 1-3 Spurs (League Cup)
20 Oct 2018: West Ham 0-1 Spurs (Premier League)
04 Jan 2018: Spurs 1-1 West Ham (Premier League)
25 Oct 2017: Spurs 2-3 West Ham (League Cup)
Aggregate Score: West Ham (WLLDW) 6-7 Spurs (LWWDL)
Ones to watch
West Ham: Declan Rice
Fresh from international duty, Rice has somewhat waned in recent months, but so too has much of the West Ham squad, so he will be eager to get his season back on track.
With one eye on Euro 2020, Rice will have to make sure he is consistently producing in the middle of the park, and what better way to rejuvenate his – and West Ham’s – season than against bitter rivals Spurs.
Pellegrini is likely to shuffle the pack following a pitiful display against Burnley, so Rice may be accompanied by a new midfield partner. His reading of the game and lion-hearted engine should help to bring some form of midfield authority to the Hammers this weekend as well as helping out whoever is deployed alongside him.
Key stat: Declan Rice has made more successful tackles than any West Ham player in the Premier League this season (35).
Spurs: Son Heung-min
It would have been easy for Son Heung-min to fall into oblivion following his dramatic red card against Everton, but the South Korean is made of sterner stuff. Since seeing his dismissal rescinded, the No. 7 has responded in impeccable style.
First, the incisive forward netted a brace against Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League, before following up with a vital goal in the 1-1 draw against Sheffield United. West Ham have been leaky in recent weeks, so expect Son to exploit those defensive frailties and give his new manager the best possible start.
Key stat: Son Heung-min has taken on more shots than any Spurs player in the Premier League this season (31).
Team news
West Ham
West Ham’s 3-0 reversal against Burnley was compounded further by Manuel Lanzini’s fractured collarbone, with the Argentine now out for the foreseeable future. Mark Noble also suffered an injury at Turf Moor, though the Hammers skipper has overcome an ankle sprain to face Spurs.
Elsewhere, Lukasz Fabianski remains out, so expect Roberto to keep his place between the sticks. There is some positive news for West Ham with Jack Wilshere and Michail Antonio expected to make the squad, while Winston Reid has also returned from a serious knee injury which has kept him out of action for over 600 days – he featured for New Zealand during the international break.
Confirmed XI: Roberto; Fredericks, Ogbonna, Diop, Cresswell; Noble, Rice; Anderson, Snodgrass, Yarmolenko; Haller.
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Spurs
Tanguy Ndombele picked up a knock before the international break but should have recovered in time to face the Hammers, as should Erik Lamela who has been out with a thigh injury.
Meanwhile, Hugo Lloris and Jan Vertonghen continue their respective rehabilitations on the sidelines, with the former not expected back until the New Year.
Mourinho has been a public admirer of Eric Dier in the past and has given him the nod in midfield.
Confirmed XI: Gazzaniga; Aurier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Davies; Dier, Winks; Lucas, Alli, Son; Kane.
Squawka prediction
West Ham have looked beyond diabolical recently and conceded a combined six goals against Burnley and Newcastle in the previous two matches.
All eyes will be on Mourinho, who will be under intense pressure to deliver from the off from Spurs fans, although he’d never let on.
The Lilywhites should have enough to beat a West Ham side bereft of confidence here, giving Mourinho the perfect start.
Scoreline prediction: West Ham 0-2 Spurs
