Tottenham Hotspur are set to return to Premier League action as they take on West Ham this weekend. The North Londoners are set to visit London Stadium on Saturday in what is going to be a much-anticipated London derby.
This one is an opportunity for Tottenham to get back to winning ways after that defeat to Bournemouth before the international hiatus. While for West Ham, they would be looking to maintain their winning momentum after that 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest.
With Xavi Simons and Kolo Muani coming into the roster, Thomas Frank will have some head-scratching decisions to make going into the game.
Tottenham lineup vs West Ham
Goalkeeper: Guglielmo Vicario
Vicario remains the first choice for the North Londoners between the goal. He has looked solid in the first few game weeks. We saw him being quite comfortable with the ball at his feet, and he has been really vocal along the ninety.
You could expect West Ham to try and test the goalkeeper from afar early in the game with the likes of Paqueta and Bowen in their ranks.
Defenders: Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence
Pedro Porro will start on that right channel, where he will be tasked to maintain width every time he goes forward. He also gives you that option to overlap on the front foot. While on the defensive side of things, while he takes care of the forward-marching Diouf, the Spaniard will also be responsible for checking any inside runs.
Then Romero has had a couple of nervy moments. The skipper continues to marshal his troops from the heart of defence. Micky van de Ven will partner him as the LCB. The Dutchman’s job will be tasked with cutting off those diagonal switches West Ham love. He will also have to keep check of the Bowen if he drifts centrally.
Djed Spence will continue to get the nod at left-back, and we know that he has that physical capacity to deal with Bowen. But the England international will also need to show his maturity dealing with him.
Midfielders: Palhinha, Bentancur, Sarr
Joao Palhinha is the destroyer that Tottenham needed at the base of the midfield. And he will have to shadow Lucas Paqueta, given how he has been a menace in the last games for the Hammers. Alongside him starts Rodrigo Bentancur, who gives you that verticality. The Uruguayan has that capacity to drive forward, but more importantly, he will be tasked with linking midfield to attack. Every now and then he will also be the one responsible for helping out Spence defensively.
And Sarr makes that midfield three. He has been in splendid form of late. His performances early in the season have shown the Senegalese can become a key cog in Frank’s structural system, and he will get another opportunity to impress at London Stadium.
Forwards: Kudus, Richarlison, Simons
Mohammed Kudus takes up responsibilities on that right flank as he lines up for the first time against his former employers since his move to Tottenham in the summer. We should see him carry the ball into offensive zones and cause problems every time he is on the inside. This should mirror the left flank, where another marquee summer signing, Xavi Simons, is expected to make his debut.
Leading the line would be Richarlison, who has been moving quite differently since Thomas Frank took charge of the proceedings at Hotspur Way. And Tottenham would be hoping that confidence pays off with a goal or two this weekend.
Tottenham lineup vs West Ham: Vicario; Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Spence; Palhinha, Bentancur, Sarr; Kudus, Richarlison, Simons
