West Ham United hosts Tottenham Hotspur in London derby
Thomas Frank brings his Tottenham side to the London Stadium for Saturday’s 5:30 kick-off — Spurs’ first game since the departure of long-serving chairman Daniel Levy.
Djed Spence made his England debut in midweek as the Three Lions beat Serbia 5-0, with West Ham skipper Jarrod Bowen impressing as a late substitute. Tottenham arrive in fourth with two wins and a defeat, while the Hammers sit 16th after our solitary 3-0 victory against Nottingham Forest.
soungoutou magassa posses in West Ham kit
Magassa could make his debut against Tottenham
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New Signings
Soungoutou Magassa could make his West Ham debut following his move from Monaco, though returning keeper Łukasz Fabiański is unlikely to feature.
For Spurs, exciting Dutch trickster Xavi Simons could make his first appearance. Despite only training once with his new teammates before heading to Holland during the international break, winning his 29th cap. Expect him to slot straight into Frank’s line-up.
All eyes will also be on Mohammed Kudus, who returns to the London Stadium following his controversial summer switch from West Ham to Spurs — with boos expected.
West Ham v Tottenham: Simmons is a likely starter for Spurs
Injury News
Tottenham: Dominic Solanke is edging closer to a return after two frustrating injuries, but Yves Bissouma and summer signing Kota Takai remain sidelined. Radu Dragusin has returned to training, but Dejan Kulusevski’s recovery is taking longer than hoped. Spurs’ biggest blow is James Maddison, who ruptured his ACL in pre-season and will miss most of the campaign.
West Ham: Niclas Füllkrug is still unavailable after picking up a knock on international duty, though the injury is not as bad as first feared. Callum Marshall returned unscathed from playing against Germany, and Crysencio Summerville is fit, having trained well this week as C&H exclusively reported on Monday.
Potter has much to ponder in his team selection. It will be interesting to see if he starts Summerville and Magassa
Predicted Line-ups
Potter’s Likely XI My XI
GK: Hermansen GK: Hermansen
RB: Wan-Bissaka RB: Walker-Peters
CB: Mavropanos CB: Mavropanos
CB: Kilman CB: Kilman
LB: Diouf LB: Diouf
CM: Ward-Prowse CM: Magassa
CM: Souček CM: Fernandes
CAM: Paquetá CAM: Paquetá
RM: Bowen RW: Bowen
LM: Fernandes LW: Summerville
CF: Wilson CF: Wilson
Prediction
This is a tough one to call, but I believe West Ham can take something from the game. Potter’s summer signings have strengthened the problem midfield area, while Summerville offers added pace and counter-attacking threat.
If Potter is brave with his selections, the Hammers have the quality to cause Spurs real problems. I’ll go for a 1-1 draw with Wilson to score — but as Del Boy once said, “He who dares, Rodders.” This game is there to be won if West Ham go for it.