TOTTENHAM welcome West Ham for a London derby on Sunday afternoon. Marcus Ally (@Marcus_Ally_4) oversees the Premier League encounter.
Tottenham vs West Ham | Sunday 18th October 2020, 16:30 | Sky Sports
Two of the Premier League’s in-form sides meet in a London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday afternoon, with David Moyes expected to return from battling COVID-19 to occupy the away team dugout for West Ham.
Jose Mourinho’s men picked up significantly prior to the international break with a staggering 6-1 victory at Manchester United announcing themselves as a force to be reckoned with this term. They are the joint top scorers in the division with 12 from four outings, their Europa League qualification successes have given them good practice in front of goal, therefore Spurs are strong favourites despite the Hammers impressive start.
Ones to watch
Each side has a dynamic duo that have played an enormous role in their decent 2020/21 beginnings and will look to outshine the other, that battle is Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min versus Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen.
Quantity-wise, the North Londoners have the more potent pair however, should Spurs not break down the Hammers backline, the second best in the division with just four goals conceded, then Antonio’s hold up play and Bowen’s pace on the counter attack could grow in its influence on proceedings.
The South Korean to score at anytime looks a screamer of a punt at (7/5 BetVictor), the 28-year-old went under the radar in a poor 2019/20 season for Spurs contributing 18 goals and 12 assists, this time around he looks to have stepped it up again with seven goals and three assists already in just six outings.
There has also been a shift in the productivity of Kane, the Three Lions skipper has more than tripled his assists total from last season in just seven matches, astonishing creative output from the big number nine. Along with that he has slammed home eight goals and looks as lethal as he ever has under Mourinho.
Only starting one of England’s three games in the international break suggests the 27-year-old should be fresh and raring to go in this London derby.
The betting angles
Even with Spurs’ quality all over the pitch, the Hammers have significantly less players who have been on international duty, that combined with their recent good form puts them in a strong position to pose a tough test to Mourinho’s men.
West Ham’s last two Premier League results have three and four nil victories, over two of last season’s top seven in Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers, they must be taken seriously.
In defiance of that and how good the Hammers have been, Spurs have been even better and with Moyes’ side potentially adopting a back five system once again, they do not pose the same threat as the hosts.
There are multiple angles to take up for this match, but the safest play looks to be getting onside with Spurs. Only Everton have had a greater Expected Goals (xG) process in the opening knockings of this campaign than Tottenham so Spurs to win and Both Teams To Score (2/1 Bet365)
Best Bets
Tottenham v West Ham – Tottenham to Win and Both Teams To Score (2/1 Bet365)
