Predicted lineups, team news and score prediction

It’s the story of two teams who have underperformed so far this season when Tottenham Hotspur host West Ham on Saturday. Spurs are ninth in the Premier League table, while the Hammers are two points behind in twelfth.

Spurs have been hit by injuries. When they face their London rivals this weekend, the outcome could depend on who is healthy and available for Ange Postecoglou’s side. Captain Heung-min Son has missed three games with a hamstring injury but looks ready.

However, there are question marks over the availability of dynamic young midfielders Lucas Bergvall and Wilson Odobert as well as striker Richarlison. Fortunately, Brennan Johnson, who has scored in his last seven games in all competitions, appears to be healthy. He was substituted at half-time of Wales’ Nations League game against Iceland after suffering a knock.

West Ham, meanwhile, are struggling with the same problem that plagued them last season: integrating new signings into a cohesive unit. Expensive signings like Max Kilman and Crysencio Summerville failed to impress, and Niclas Fullkrug (another supposed replacement for Michael Antonio) was injured.

Ironically, a player who has been with the club since the start of 2020 has become West Ham’s talisman. Jarrod Bowen has two goals and two assists this season. Notably, he was not named in England’s Nations League squad, leaving many expecting him to take out his frustrations on his upcoming Premier League opponents.

In their last game against Brighton, Spurs played what Postecoglou described as the team’s best first half of the season, securing a 2-0 halftime lead. But Brighton scored three goals in 18 minutes to secure a 3-2 result.

West Ham beat Ipswich 4-1 in their last game. But their last game against Brentford might be more telling. The Hammers are notorious for conceding early goals that take their breath away. But after falling behind the Bees in the second minute, West Ham scored just after half-time and survived to take a point.

This assumes that son is completely fit. Also, don’t be surprised if Postecoglou prefers Bissouma over Bentancur.

Predicted Tottenham Hotspur line-up: Vicario, Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Udogie, Kulusevski, Bentancur, Maddison, Johnson, Solanke, Son

Expected West Ham United lineup: Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Emerson, Rodríguez, Bowen, Soucek, Paqueta, Kudus, Antonio.

West Ham have won just once in the last six meetings between these two London rivals. Despite Spurs’ injuries, they will exorcise the demons of their collapse in Brighton and secure a nervy 2-1 result.

Spurs host West Ham on Saturday, October 19th at 7:30 a.m. ET. The game can be watched in the USA.