As the holiday song says “this is Halloween, this is Halloween, Halloween, Halloween.” And if you’re a hard-core London football fan, then you might want to make this local derby part of your All Hallows Eve plans.
Tottenham Hotspur travel to the London Stadium to take on West Ham United in what should be the most interesting and captivating matchup of the EFL Cup fourth round. Let’s take a look at who Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino and West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini will and won’t have at their disposable tomorrow night.
We’ll start with the Hammers, who have long term absentees in Winston Reid (knee), Carlos Sanchez (knee), Manuel Lanzini (knee) and Andriy Yarmolenko (Achilles). Also, Andy Carroll is not expected to return until after the November internationals. Midfielder Jack Wilshere is recovering from his ankle issue, but won’t be ready in time for this one.
Another midfielder, Mark Noble, will serve one game suspension for this match. Pedro Obiang faces a late fitness test as he recovers from a knock on his calf.
Flipping over to Spurs, newly minted man Dele Alli could start in this one, as he seems to be 100% recovered from his hamstring injury. A contract extension for the England international was announced earlier today. Meanwhile Jan Vertonghen remains a long term absentee.
Danny Rose is still battling a groin problem, and it’s more likely he returns in league play this weekend, instead of in this match.
League Cup 4th Round: Tottenham Hotspur at West Ham United FYIs
Tottenham Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Kickoff: Wednesday, October 31, 7:45 PM local, London Stadium
Odds via Betway: Tottenham 7/5, Draw 13/5, West Ham 17/10
Prediction: Tottenham 2, West Ham 1
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Lineups.com and Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.