‘After what happened in the last game”- Alan Shearer predicts who’ll win between Tottenham and West Ham today
Tottenham Hotspur will welcome West Ham United in the Premier League’s early Saturday kick-off, as both sides look to secure vital points in what promises to be an intense London derby.
For Tottenham, this match represents a crucial opportunity to regain momentum after a series of underwhelming performances, including a collapse in their last outing. Spurs appeared to be cruising to victory against Brighton & Hove Albion, having established a comfortable 2-0 lead. However, defensive frailties once again came to the fore, allowing Brighton to storm back and snatch a 3-2 win, leaving Ange Postecoglou’s men reeling just before the international break.
The mood in the West Ham camp is more optimistic, even though their start to the season was somewhat bumpy. The Hammers struggled early on but have since found their feet, steadying their ship with a convincing 4-1 win over Ipswich Town. That victory followed a resilient 1-1 draw against Brentford, meaning Julen Lopetegui’s side have now gone two matches unbeaten, and their confidence will be high heading into this weekend’s clash.
Ahead of the match, Premier League legend Alan Shearer weighed in with his thoughts, previewing the fixture and predicting who might come out on top. Writing in his column for Metro, Shearer believes that Tottenham are poised to secure a narrow victory, though he acknowledged the challenge West Ham could pose.
“This is a big game for Ange Postecoglou,” Shearer stated. “It’s massive for Spurs, especially considering what happened to them at Brighton. Postecoglou has openly admitted that the way his team crumbled in that match was one of the most frustrating moments of his tenure so far. It’s clear he’ll be expecting a reaction.”
Shearer continued by noting that West Ham may draw encouragement from Tottenham’s collapse, seeing it as an opportunity to take something from the game. “West Ham will have seen the vulnerability in Spurs’ performance and may feel they can be brave enough to get a result. But I expect Ange to demand a much stronger display this time, and for that reason, I’m backing Tottenham to edge a narrow win.”
Team News for Tottenham vs. West Ham
There’s good news on the injury front for Spurs ahead of the West Ham fixture. Club captain Son Heung-min, who has been sidelined with a muscle issue, has recovered and will be available for selection. Brazilian forward Richarlison is also set to make his return after missing recent matches due to injury. Both players are key attacking options for Postecoglou, and their availability could prove crucial in breaking down West Ham’s defense.
However, one player who remains unavailable is summer signing Wilson Odobert. The French winger is nearing full fitness, but this weekend’s game has come too soon for him to feature.
On the West Ham side, their injury concerns persist, particularly with striker Niclas Fullkrug. The German international, who joined the Hammers during the summer transfer window, is still recovering from an Achilles and calf injury sustained while on international duty in September. His absence has forced West Ham to rely on other attacking options, and Lopetegui will be hoping his team can maintain their unbeaten run without him.
This derby promises to be a tightly contested affair, with both teams eager to come away with a result that can provide momentum for the rest of the season. Spurs, desperate to put their Brighton disappointment behind them, will aim to deliver a dominant performance at home, while West Ham, buoyed by recent improvements, will be determined to frustrate their hosts and continue their steady resurgence.