West Ham vs. Tottenham: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info, Ticket News
Talk of European football and a burgeoning title challenge surrounds West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur's Wednesday night meeting. A possible three points that will strengthen either of these respective ambitions is on the line.
Asked about his satisfaction with their good run of results—keeping his side in sight of the Champions League places—West Ham manager Slaven Bilic was understandably positive.
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"Well yes, particularly our home form has been very good recently, and we want to do everything we can to keep this run going," per the east London club's official website. "We are playing pretty well, of course, we can improve, and that’s what we are trying to do."
His team in heady heights (and after Leicester City dropped points on Tuesday, with a chance of going top), Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino is keen they continue utilising the positivity inspired by their good form too. Yet speaking after their win over Swansea City, he is also well aware of the challenges ahead.
"This is a good moment, and exciting moment for us, to keep the level," Pochettino said. "But you know it’s true that we need to manage some players because some players feel a little bit tired because we come from a very tough period."
...OK, the formalities are out of the way.
This is the last time these two clubs meet at Upton Park. Forget trophies and trips to the continent, this is genuine finality. The ramifications of this result will cut deeper than any of that.
This is West Ham fans' opportunity to enjoy one last memory of beating their most hated top-flight foe at their beloved ground. This is Tottenham supporters' chance to ensure their winning taunts permanently echo around what will always be the Hammers' real home turf.
This is the Irons bludgeoning an illness-afflicted Spurs' Champions League hopes on the final day back in 2006 (recounted by former-Spur Jermaine Jenas for Yahoo Sports this week). This is Paul Stalteri ruining Carlos Tevez's breakthrough day for Alan Curbishley's struggling side right at the death a year later. Andy Carroll battering the Lilywhites two years ago and Eric Dier with another late winner for the visitors last season.
Come 10 p.m., the bigger picture will matter again. But for a few hours, it is all about hatred and which team can harness the different interpretations of it to better effect.
Date: Wednesday, March 2
Time: 7:45 p.m. GMT/2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Upton Park, London
TV Info: No live UK broadcast, highlights from 10 p.m. on Sky Sports 1/Premier League Extra Time.
Live Stream: No UK stream/NBC Sports Live Extra.
Ticket Information: Both home and away allocations are sold out.
Form Lines
| West Ham United | Tottenham Hotspur |
| Premier League, February 27: Sunderland (H)—Win: 1-0 | Premier League, February 28: Swansea City (H)—Win: 2-1 |
| FA Cup, February 21: Blackburn Rovers (A)—Win: 1-5 | Europa League, February 25: Fiorentina (H)—Win: 3-0 |
| Premier League, February 13: Norwich City (A)—Draw: 2-2 | FA Cup, February 21: Crystal Palace (H)—Loss: 0-1 |
| FA Cup (replay), February 9: Liverpool (H)—Win: 2-1 | Europa League, February 18: Fiorentina (A)—Draw: 1-1 |
| Premier League, February 6: Southampton (A)—Loss: 1-0 | Premier League, February 14: Manchester City (A)—Win: 1-2 |
Team News
Bilic told his pre-match press conference on Tuesday that Diafra Sakho could be available for West Ham.
Sam Byram is suspended, while Winston Reid and Enner Valencia still look a little way off.
Pochettino needs to decide on whether to select Dele Alli after the Tottenham boss admitted, "It's true he had problems before and during the game against Swansea," per his club's official website.
Mousa Dembele is definitely out, as too are longer-term absentees Clinton Njie and Jan Vertonghen. Tom Carroll is available again.
Predicted Lineups
With Byram suspended and others unavailable, Doneil Henry may be drafted in at right-back for his first Premier League appearance for West Ham. Otherwise their back five, anchored by goalkeeper Adrian, is likely to be unchanged following the clean sheet against Sunderland on Saturday.
Up-front Carroll could get the nod to try to recreate the assault on Tottenham of two seasons ago. He was well-shackled in the Hammers' 4-1 loss to their capital rivals in November, but he provides a focal point that may help lead the kind of pressure they hope to apply.
Dimitri Payet, missing for the previous meeting, should ensure Carroll is better provided for. A wider starting point for the Frenchman would perhaps give him a better chance of pulling Spurs' defensive midfielders out of position.
Out right, Michail Antonio will hope for another excuse to bust out his Homer Simpson-goal celebration (praised by Bilic above). The usual West Ham midfield core supporting him and his fellow attackers.
Tottenham's own back five could well look the same as in their win over Swansea City. Danny Rose and Kyle Walker's big-game experience and greater combativeness possibly gives them the edge over Ben Davies and Kieran Trippier in Pochettino's full-back rotation.
As good as Christian Eriksen played in central midfield proper against Swansea, he may be moved to his more familiar advanced role. Ryan Mason is returning in his place after he was rested following his strong Europa League display against Fiorentina.
What Spurs do elsewhere in attacking midfield could depend on Alli. If he is declared fit enough, however, it is hard to imagine the aggressive midfield spark not starting what is sure to be a hard-fought contest. (Pochettino is trusting him to channel his instincts constructively.)
West Ham United Player to Watch: Dimitri Payet
As noted, Payet was absent for the aforementioned defeat at White Hart Lane.
The overwhelming nature of Tottenham’s performance may have suffocated the playmaker’s influence regardless. Nonetheless, they would have preferred for him to have been fit so they could at least find out.
Payet is available again, and Bilic will feel more confident of hurting Spurs with him involved. Like prior to the aforementioned clash, he has been integral to the Hammers’ best work, inspiring the Croatian’s team into their current lofty position.
Pleasingly for the Upton Park faithful and their hopes for such a high-stakes encounter, Payet is embracing his key player status.
"I have enjoyed the responsibility and feel that it motivates me," he told their official website. "It helps me to perform consistently."
Tottenham Hotspur Player to Watch: Kevin Wimmer
It feels a little picky to begin a section on Wimmer highlighting how his switch-off allowed Swansea City’s Alberto Paloschi to score against Tottenham on Sunday.
The Austrian barely put a foot wrong otherwise. That has been the case virtually since he came into the Spurs defence (still the Premier League’s meanest) following Vertonghen’s late-January injury.
But it was a reminder of Wimmer and his colleague’s need to retain the impressive concentration levels that have helped them get this far. Up against West Ham’s physical and skillful attack, he will need to be alert too.
The home side will almost certainly get the ball forward far more than they did in November. It is not one man’s job to stop it, but a solid showing from Wimmer should mean they have found a way to do so.
Key Battle: Fighting for Territory in Midfield
Tottenham dominated the midfield battle in their autumn win over West Ham. Dier and Dembele combined to shut the visitors down promptly as part of—or in any instance it was momentarily broke through—their team’s relentless closing down.
The emotion of the occasion and the Hammers being a little more comfortable in their own skin should mean they are not so comprehensively enveloped. Led by crowd-favourite Mark Noble, that previous hurt will almost certainly mean they are better prepared for a contest. In Payet, they have someone who will give Spurs more to think about too.
While his probable replacement, Mason, will generate similarly admirable industry, the absent Dembele will be missed by Spurs—his dynamism is hard to replicate. If Alli does not make it or is a little subpar, it will leave them less able to cover as substantial amount of ground as they would like. That's something that was decisive to the previous victory.
Just how it all unfolds from here (either way) will make for an exciting watch.
Odds (per Odds Shark)
West Ham win: 3-1
Tottenham win: 1-1
Draw: 13-5
Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
