A London derby will be the central event of Saturday`s Premier League schedule, as Tottenham Hotspur visit West Ham in a battle for supremacy in the city. Under the new leadership of Thomas Frank, the “Spurs” appear significantly refreshed, and their squad has been bolstered by major new arrivals like Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani. At the same time, Graham Potter is on the brink of losing his job as the “Hammers” desperately fight to retain their place in the league. For Mohammed Kudus, who moved from West Ham to Tottenham this summer, this match will be a kind of homecoming.
The match at London Stadium is set to kick off at 12:30 p.m. ET. According to the latest odds, Tottenham is considered a favorite with +110, while West Ham is an underdog at +250. A draw is rated at +225, and the total goals line is set at 2.5. SportsLine expert Jon Eimer has already made his predictions:
- Tottenham to score over 1.5 goals (-110, 1u)
- Tottenham to win (+110, 1u)
Why Tottenham should win
Tottenham`s start to the season was extremely unpredictable: first, they sensationally beat Manchester City 2-0, and then immediately lost to Bournemouth 1-0. This team has for years earned a reputation for being absolutely unpredictable. However, it is their attacking power that makes this team so exciting to watch, and that is why, according to Eimer, they will be able to overcome West Ham. Tottenham`s squad not only features magnificent starting forwards but also reliable players off the bench. Footballers like Brennan Johnson, Richarlison, and Mohammed Kudus will lead the attack for most of the match, with Dominic Solanke serving as one of the best super-subs in the league. The team scored two goals against Manchester City and three against Burnley, and they are expected to return to their prolific goal-scoring form.
Unfavorable timing of the international break for West Ham
By the end of the second week of the season, West Ham looked absolutely terrible. In their season opener, they were crushed by newly promoted Sunderland, conceded five goals to Chelsea, and lost to Wolves in the EFL Cup. All European news agencies claimed that the “Hammers” would face a relegation battle after just two matchdays. However, West Ham managed to somewhat silence critics by beating Nottingham Forest 3-0 in their last match before the break. Now, after finally gaining momentum, they had to wait during a break they didn`t need. The international break is a gift for some, but a curse for others. West Ham will now have to regain the momentum they struggled to find in a match against one of the league`s best offenses.
