Tottenham Hotspur are going to be without their starting goalkeeper, and two of their key midfielders, for the next few weeks. It leaves manager Antonio Conte with some selection issues to contend with as the London derby against West Ham United approaches this weekend.
Let’s get, “turned down for WHUTOT!” Actually, it’s TOTWHU, but you get the idea.
Tottenham vs West Ham FYIs
Kick-off: Sunday, Feb 19, 4:30 pm local, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Tottenham Preview Material: Starting XI Prediction Team News
West Ham Preview Material: Starting XI Prediction Team News
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
Google Result Probability: West Ham victory 23% Draw 25% Tottenham victory 52%
PL Form: West Ham DDWLD Tottenham LWWLL
PL Standing: West Ham 16th, 20 pts Tottenham 5th, 39 pts
Defender Cristian Romero only had to serve a one match ban domestically, and with his suspension now served, he’ll come back into the first team for a league fixture again. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was suspended for continental competition, on Tuesday night, so he had a night off in midweek.
The major midfielder will come back into the first team here.
Tottenham Hotspur Starting XI Prediction vs West Ham United
Forster; Romero, Dier, Davies; Emerson, Hojbjerg, Skipp, Perisic; Kulusevski, Son; Kane
Prediction: Tottenham 1, West Ham United 0
We’re thinking Spurs take this London derby grudge match, and get out of this mini-slide.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now. Follow the website on Twitter and Instagram.