Published Article

HeadlineSpurs will host the Hammers in a must win game to keep their title hopes alive

Short HeadlineSpurs' title race hopes on the line in London Derby

StandfirstWest Ham go to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as the team in form with two wins in three

Ange Postecoglou’s side need a win to narrow the 9 point gap between them at fifth and top of the table Arsenal.

Tottenham Hotspur set the league alight this season. Their open style, full of fizz and flair, quickly earned the name ‘Ange Ball’. West Ham, on the other hand, similarly hit the ground running with back-to-back 3-1 wins early in the season.

But, whilst West Ham continue to perform to expectations, Spurs season hit a skid during their 4-1 loss to Chelsea. In the defeat, the north London side lost key players James Maddison and Micky van de Ven to injury and centre-back Cristian Romero to suspension.

Ange Postecoglou’s side have failed to win a match since the start of November, and their once-high title hopes seem to be diminishing.

BBC’s chief football writer Phil McNulty has high hopes for the game:

“Spurs will always make it a positive game irrespective of recent losses to Chelsea and away at Wolves… I’m expecting a good open London derby.”

McNulty described the loss of Maddison and van de Ven to injury as a “real loss. In the early weeks of the season, Maddison was one of their most important players” and van de Ven was “a revelation”, his pace perfectly suiting Tottenham’s high line.

However, he highlighted the return of Romero as a ray of hope for the home side. Despite this, the wily West Ham remains a formidable opponent for this half-fit squad.